“Too Good To Be Shy,” a debut EP by Victor Chidi Uzoma, popularly known as Baddestoyoko, marks the first step in an artist finally able to play. As the title implies, it’s never an easy choice; rather, it’s an easy choice for this music, allowing the audience to dabble into a world connected and defined by confidence, love, identity, and ambition.

Released in London, UK, the artist locked in the EP with seven tracks, juggling themes ranging from confidence, romance, and friendship to cultural identity and personal ambition, though none of them made a big splash beyond introducing the man behind the name. There’s warmth here, and there is also a sense of purpose, and in that Baddestoyoko doesn’t want listeners to make up their minds about where he belongs until they better understand what truly stands as his motivation to offer good music.

​The EP starts with a natural progression, “Loving You”, which further keeps the emotions running hot, and the softer side of his sound is widely explored. While the content isn’t overly complex, it has its charm. These songs capture feelings that are instant and familiar, resonating with listeners. “Joanna,” a beautiful song that sets the tone for the album, offers a romantic outlook on the listener’s journey through the world.

Adaku” is another title on the list, often used to describe a “daughter of wealth” or a “daughter born into wealth”. The song is also significant as it’s a collaboration with J. Martins, whom Baddestoyoko has identified as an inspiration and the biggest motivation for the track. The link made the song even more special, with an emerging artist playing time with an artist who helped define the musical field he is moving into. Andit’ss quite appropriate that this isn’t the end of the EP.

With “Sorry” an offering of a fresh twist to the EP, if you will. The track is a rhythmically bouncy Afrobeats style with a blend of melody and movement that doesn’t get too complicated. This is one of those times when Baddestoyoko’s wish to create accessible music is clear and sublime.

The project’s message is more personal in “Nwakanwa”. The song is about love, unity, and togetherness, and love is not limited to romantic relationships. At its heart, it is about people and relationships with family, friends, and community. Baddestoyoko explores what happens when people choose to support each other and refrain from destroying relationships through envy, jealousy, and negativity. There’s more meaning to the title. “Nwakanwa” is a person who is unique-a child with a greater destiny. The song doesn’t say to praise another’s success, but to celebrate it. Ultimately, the message of this product is to uplift people and to realise that another person’s progress does not have to come at another’s expense.

Then comes ‘Eruku’, where everything shifts to a different tone, and the EP refrains from getting too attached to its romantic content. Baddestoyoko is still working out his musical vocabulary, and the song is part of this process: it demonstrates an artist willing to dance between various shades of modern African pop.

The EP closed its mark with “Fyn Gal From Barbados” or “FGFB” as a reflection of a peaceful change of pace. Its title immediately gives it an international flavour that suits the increasingly borderless nature of Afrobeats. It also adds a new element to the EP and provides Baddestoyoko some space to play with attraction and connection in a different way.

After all about coming out. He’s not saying, “This is what I’ve gotten right in my art, and this is what I haven’t. “These are the things I’ve done well in my art; these are the things I haven’t done well. Instead, he is capturing a moment in his journey, beginning with one of his songs about love, ambition, community, and the courage to put yourself on display while still trying to do more.

Sometimes the EP slips right back into familiar Afrobeats territory, and in this case, it’s a boon. It is not as if the desperate attempt to sound experimental is made for the sake of sounding experimental. Baddestoyoko focuses on making songs people feel, remember, and come back to.

The Afrobeats production of “Too Good To Be Shy” is smooth and rhythmic, with melodic grooves and warm textures that make the EP easy to digest. The Afrobeats production of “Too Good to Be Shy” is smooth and rhythmic, with melodic grooves and warm textures that make the EP easy to digest. The production leaves enough room for Baddestoyoko’s vocals and melodies to take the lead.

Lyrically, the project alternates between love, relationships, confidence, and togetherness. “Nwakanwa” is a message of unity and celebration of people’s success, while “Adaku” offers an abundance of wealth, identity, and aspiration.

The feeling is warm, romantic, and inspiring, but without losing energy. Baddestoyoko’s debut is pretty accessible, yet never mundane in its intent, balancing personal emotion with feel-good Afrobeats.

However, Baddestoyoko has released this debut EP. The next thing to see is how far he’ll go with the confidence he has gained from this EP.