| Lasso of Truth | ||||
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| Studio album by Omawumi | ||||
| Released | 23 March 2013 (2013-03-23) | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 47:14 | |||
| Label | Oma Records | |||
| Producer |
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| Omawumi chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Lasso of Truth | ||||
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| Deluxe edition cover | ||||
 Lasso of Truth (Deluxe Edition) | ||||
| Singles from Lasso of Truth (Deluxe Edition) | ||||
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Lasso of Truth is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Omawumi. It was released on 23 March 2013 through Oma Records and features guest appearances from Timaya, Wizkid, Flavour, 2Face Idibia, and Afay. Production was handled by Cobhams Asuquo, Don Jazzy, Sizzle Pro, Oscar Heman-Ackah, Young D, Sarz, and Soso Soberekon on the standard edition, with additional production from E Kelly and Philkeyz on the deluxe edition. Lasso of Truth serves as a follow-up to Omawumi's debut, Wonder Woman (2009). The deluxe edition of the album was released on 12 September 2013.
Launch party
The launch party for Lasso of Truth took place on 7 April 2013, at the Oriental Hotel. The event featured a lineup of Nigerian artists, including 2Face Idibia, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay, Waje, Timaya, and Wizkid, who performed throughout the evening. A tribute to Omawumi's mother was followed by a performance from Omawumi, Tiwa Savage, Seyi Shay, and Waje, who performed "No Woman No Cry" and "Thank You Lord, Hallelujah." Omawumi also brought Onyeka Onwenu on stage to perform "Ekwe." The event featured various performances and transitions throughout the evening.
Singles
Standard edition singles
The album's lead single "If You Ask Me" was released on 10 January 2011. The song, produced by Cobhams Asuquo, is an introspective narrative about child sexual abuse. It aligns with Omawumi's advocacy work as an Ambassador for Project Alert, an organization focused on issues of sexual abuse and reproductive health. The second single, "I Go Go", was released on 18 May 2011 alongside a music video directed by Clarence Peters. Also produced by Cobhams Asuquo, it is a reggae-infused track in which Omawumi sings in pidgin English about unrequited love over a subtle reggae beat, showcasing her vocal range. The third single, "Bottom Belle," often shortened to "Belle," and released on 6 February 2012, features Flavour]. The song was produced by Soso Soberekon. Omawumi described the song as her "witty way of telling the story of an opinionated young Nigerian woman who wants and fully intends to enjoy her life." In an interview with Encomium Magazine, Omawumi stated that the song is about "a young woman who told a guy that loves her to be free handed a bit". The fourth single off Lasso of Truth, entitled "Stay Alive (Jeje Laye)", was released on 23 November 2012. It was produced by Sizzle Pro and is a mid-tempo blues track that encourages listeners to approach life with caution and perseverance. The fifth and final single off the album was "You Must Love Me", which was released on 11 January 2014. It was also produced by Sizzle Pro.
Deluxe edition singles
"Somori" was released on 9 August 2013 as the lead single off the deluxe edition and the sixth single overall. It features vocals from Remy Kayz and production from Philkeyz. It is a mix of Yoruba and pidgin English and a blend of afro-pop and dancehall. The second single off the deluxe edition and the seventh single overall is "Finally", which was released on 11 February 2014 alongside the fifth single overall "You Must Love Me" and "Serious Love Nwantinti (Remix)". It was produced by E Kelly and depicts the beginning of every relationship, with the woman's initial pretenses and the man's patience needed before he decides to give up on his potential partner.
Critical reception
The album received generally positive reception from critics. Harry Itie of OkayAfrica praised Omawumi's Lasso of Truth as a versatile and relatable album, highlighting her exploration of genres such as jazz, reggae, and afro-pop. He noted its themes of social issues, personal growth, and African pride, calling it "a work that is not only relatable but also entertaining." Tracks like "If You Ask Me" and "The Best You Can Be" were singled out as standout favorites, showcasing her vocal strength and storytelling ability.
Ayomide Tayo of The NET described Lasso of Truth as a well-crafted album that combines humor, relatable themes, and her command of Pidgin English to create a standout project. He praised her ability to blend diverse genres like Afrobeat, reggae, and EDM while delivering messages about resilience, love, and social issues. With a 4/5 rating, he concluded that the album "is a well-thought-out album... making Omawumi a hero in my book, a wonder woman, and that is the truth".
Wilfred Okiche of YNaija described the album as a solid album that maintains the afro-pop stylings of her debut but lacks a sense of exploration, feeling like "more rehash than a sequel." While he praised tracks like "What a Bang Bang" featuring 2Baba and her seamless collaboration with Flavour on "Bottom Belle," he found the Wizkid duet "Warn Yourself" unimpressive. He concluded that despite its strengths, the album leaves "a niggling unsatisfying feeling... even after multiple listens."
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "If You Ask Me" | Omawumi Megbele | Cobhams Asuquo | 3:43 |
| 2. | "When the Boss Is Coming (Actor Sef Dey Run)" |
| Sizzle Pro | 4:26 |
| 3. | "The African Way" | Megbele | Don Jazzy | 3:07 |
| 4. | "The Best You Can Be" |
| Sizzle Pro | 4:00 |
| 5. | "I Go Go" | Megbele | Cobhams Asuquo | 4:41 |
| 6. | "What A Bang Bang" (featuring 2Face Idibia) |
| Oscar Heman-Ackah | 3:45 |
| 7. | "Personal Race" (featuring Timaya) |
| Young D | 3:34 |
| 8. | "You Must Love Me" | Makan | Sizzle Pro | 3:54 |
| 9. | "Warn Yourself" (featuring Wizkid) |
| Sarz | 3:40 |
| 10. | "Stay Alive (Jeje Laye)" |
| Sizzle Pro | 3:51 |
| 11. | "Bottom Belle" (featuring Flavour) |
| Soso Soberekon | 4:16 |
| 12. | "Life Goes On" (featuring Afay) | Afay | Sizzle Pro | 4:00 |
| Total length: | 58:52 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "Finally" | Megbele | E Kelly | 4:10 |
| 14. | "Somori" (featuring Remy Kayz) |
| Philkeyz | 3:17 |
| 15. | "Lasso of Truth" | Megbele | E Kelly | 3:42 |
Notes
- "Bottom Belle" interpolates Herbert Udemba's song of the same name.
Personnel
Credits adapted from back cover.
- Omawumi Megbele - vocals, songwriting
- Inetimi Odon - vocals, songwriting
- Ayodeji Balogun - vocals, songwriting
- Chinedu Okoli - vocals, songwriting
- Innocent Idibia - vocals, songwriting
- Afay - vocals, songwriting
- Cobhams Asuquo - production (track 1, 5)
- David "Sizzle Pro" Makan - production (tracks 2, 4, 8, 10, 12), songwriting (tracks 4, 8, 9, 10), mixing engineer (tracks 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12), mastering engineer (all tracks)
- Michael "Don Jazzy" Ajereh - production (track 3)
- Oscar Heman-Ackah - production (track 6), songwriter (track 6)
- Akintewe "Young D" Temidayo - production (track 7)
- Osabuohien "Sarz" Osaretin - production (track 9)
- Soso Soberekon - production (track 11)
- Emmanuel "E Kelly" Nwosu - production (tracks 13, 15)
- Phillip "Philkeyz" Chukwuka - production (track 14)
- Olaitan Dada - mixing engineer (tracks 1, 5, 6)
- Umar Jawfu - guitars (track 4)
- Ayomide Faboro - songwriting (track 2)
- Mercy Chinwo - songwriting (track 7)
- Herbert Udemba - songwriting (track 11)
- Oligbese - songwriting (track 11)
Release history
| Country | Date | Version | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 23 March 2013 | Standard | Oma Records | |
| 12 September 2013 | Deluxe | Digital download |
References
- ^ Tayo, Ayomide (25 March 2013). "Omawumi is a super-heroine! – The Lasso of Truth [Album Review]". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Itie, Harry (10 April 2013). "Review: Nigerian Music Star Omawumi's New 'Lasso Of Truth' Album". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- Ogundele, Demola (10 January 2011). "WORLD PREMIERE: Omawumi - If You Ask Me". NotJustOk. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- Damilola, Taiwo (18 May 2011). "YNaija Exclusive! Omawumi's back with new single, 'I Go Go'". YNaija. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- Inyang, Ifreke (6 February 2012). "Y! Recommends: 'Bottom Belle' – Omawumi". YNaija. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- "Omawumi denies being a pastor – Features Flavour in Bottom Belle". Encomium Magazine. 10 January 2016. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- "Omawumi drops a new one…..'Stay alive' (je je láyé)". Channels Television. 23 November 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Ekowho, Jonathan (11 February 2014). "Omawumi – Finally + You Must Love Me + Serious Love Nwantinti Remix ft. No Time Band". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- Ekowho, Jonathan (15 October 2013). "New Music – Somori By Omawumi". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- "Omawumi Releases New Video, Somori". Channels Television. 8 November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- Okiche, Wilfred (14 April 2013). "Album review: Omawumi's 'Lasso of truth' is deeply filling but not totally satisfying". YNaija. Retrieved 30 November 2024.