Spiritual. If there was a single word to describe Bagga's music this would be it. In a way unique to him, Bagga delivers religious script packaged in melodies that make the message far flung from sermons yet in meaning it is exactly that.
While he may not be "the leader of the youth," he certainly carries their hopes with him. The faith that tomorrow will be different, better even, or you'll learn lessons that make everything more bearable. Although exuding a certain sadness, the music always calls for perseverance, for a strength in belief, for an eye beyond today and it's troubles.
His tag line "Bagga weragga" is not only an identifier but a proclamation of the nature of his artistry. A hip hop artist with a heart made of dancehall. The soundscapes born out of this matrimony have been a key factor in the success of releases such as "Gevha," "Jerusalema," "Mvura," "Miyedzo," "Pengelenge," "Nyarara," and the collaborative masterpiece "Bvira Vira."
So what Bagga understands is sound and the flow of melodies, which makes Truth the EP's uninspiring nature so glaring. True to form the five track project once again showcases Bagga's relationship with spirituality and his own mortality. Yet while the message may be one that usually captures the audience's attention, it's delivery feels lacklustre.
Were it's predecessors 3 Stripes and 3 Stripes Side B (slightly less because Gevha didn't need that remix) were brilliant, Truth aims for the bare minimum. It feels like it says everything and nothing at the same time (What is the meaning of "Para Bhuru"? Seriously we need to know), and the melodies don't carry as well as they usually do. Which is a cause for contrasting emotion because it's introspective nature and vulnerability are qualities that call out to be appreciated.
The EP's production even calls out for more, and it feels right up Bagga's lane but then somehow a misalignment occurs. Not on every track but enough that there's the feeling of something missing.
In the end it's a decent project but Bagga is better than this (and even he knows it), and this comes through in the EP's high moments "Dai Muripo" (ignoring the poor choice in phrase "Wangu zvinhu zviri down kunge syndrome") and "Tinamate." The rock sensibilities of "Zvandinomatira" also come close to Bagga's usual brilliance but then there's that slight lack of inspiration in songwriting.
Bagga has always been an artist who sounds like he wholeheartedly believes in what he's singing and ultimately that's not as present here. What we get are a few selections for the playlist (literally, see our 263 Essentials Playlist) that we'll certainly replay again and again, but the truth as a whole is a bit hard to stomach. Yet again that's the truth's nature.
Greedysouth rating: 6.3/10
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