“Bad boy from Africa!!” T’Bellz’s opening line on his latest extended playlist, Back on Track, rings out as a clear reminder of the young bard’s artistic focus since his 2017 debut.
The Afro-pop singer, born Opeyemi Bello, emerges as a hybrid of ancestral Apala traditions and contemporary Nigerian pop, defined by gritty tonal structures, Yoruba poetry, and deeply relatable themes.
On Back on Track, T’Bellz showcases notable musical growth, drawing attention to his increasingly refined multicultural fusions.
The first two tracks on the EP unfold as an audacious introduction to his sonic palette.
Jo opens the project with slow chanting—almost spoken-singing—a style best described by German theorists as Sprechgesang.
Academic labels aside, it’s a winning cadence that has proven effective for street-pop contemporaries like Seyi Vibez and TML Vibez. For T’Bellz, however, it feels like a defining stylistic choice, one that pulls listeners into a subtle trance.
Rendezvous follows seamlessly, retaining the same vocal approach while leaning on slow-paced percussion, airy guitar riffs, and pop rhythms that colour the EP’s fusion-heavy identity.
By the third track, I’ll Wait, Back on Track segues into its most emotionally intense moment, drifting deeper into the soulful street/Afro-pop soundscape that defines the project.
Here, T’Bellz’s lyricism comes fully into focus. He doles out affectionate bravado in Rendezvous, professes loyalty and devotion in I’ll Wait, and taps into celebratory, larger-than-life energy on Ginger and Cheers 2 Life.
His fluid blend of Yoruba, Pidgin, and English—peppered with street slang and breezy flows—particularly elevates Cheers 2 Life and Jo, amplifying both relatability and groove.
However, Back on Track truly shines in its composition. Layering sultry, emo Afro-pop melodies beneath Apala-tinged vocals demands more than smooth mixing, and T’Bellz rises to the challenge.
His emphasis on pacing and enunciation anchors the EP, allowing each track to breathe while maintaining cohesion.
The result is a record that feels both soulful and uplifting—a cathartic portrayal of a hopeless romantic seen through the lens of a young hustler navigating life in a bustling Nigerian environment.
The EP closes with Cheers 2 Life, lush with tropical horns, backing vocals, and a feel-good groove that perfectly caps the project’s thematic arc.
Back on Track feels cohesive, reverberating with peak moments and solid fillers, like pages torn from a street OG’s diary.
Its intimate lyricism, culturally charged fusions, and charismatic delivery make for a heartfelt and engaging listen.
Overall, Back on Track is a notable addition to Nigeria’s evolving street-pop fusion catalogue, boasting strong replay value and emotional depth.
Its mood-lifting, partly introspective yet warmly inviting appeal makes it best enjoyed on a calm afternoon—pulsing with heritage, originality, and catchy musicality.
