With almost 20 years in the music business Aidonia presents his patient core fan base with “Occupied Mind,” his most intimate thoughts on a project to date. He said the title stems from his preoccupation with music after the passing of his son in December 2022. As he comes to terms with the loss of his only son, juxtaposed with news of an expected baby December 2023, the dancehall flow master, anchors his thoughts about family, love, family relationship and protection by any means. The One Voice artist sticks to his usual team who he says support him in music and his life.
The art work for “Occupied Mind” is a black image of a brain dripping in gold blood turned into musical notes.It is designed by Chicago native God Henry who is the artistic director for most of his projects and singles.
It is not the first time a dancehall artist release a concept based on emotional trauma, but it is not too often you hear hardcore artists from the genre sing mature ballads without autotune to their wives as exampled in “High and Fvck”, “Diamonds” and “Caught Up,” the latter released four years ago on the 4 Play Riddim Produced by Trinidadian Millbeatz Entertainment & 4th Genna Music.
Embarking on the independent route, Aidonia aided by his in house producer Jayds, alongside a stellar lineup including Crash Dummy, Cash Flow Rinse, Emudio, Quantanium, Build Beats, Darshan, and expertly mixed by Red Boom, Supermix, and Chimney Records, channels the essence of hardcore dancehall reminiscent of the Billboard-charting era from 1991 to 1995, where icons like Shabba Ranks, Mad Cobra, Super Cat, Inner Circle, and more topped the US charts.
The project effortlessly navigates between trap-hall and hardcore dancehall, spotlighting Aidonia’s trailblazing influence in both realms since the mid-2000s, all while avoiding the prevalent trap themes of the contemporary era, such as scamming.
From the lyrical prowess showcased in call-to-arms tracks like “Hell Raise” and “Gadly” to the eloquent code-switching in luxury rap anthems like “Dubai,” “First Class,” and “Fresh Drop,” the album delves into a spectrum of emotions, and he breathes raw sincerity into “Faith.”
Aidonia’s braggadocio shines through in tracks like “Big Belly” and “Socrates,” revealing his sheer enjoyment of the musical process. Notably, Govana, Aidonia’s longstanding friend and confidant, joins forces on the album’s lone feature, “Thug Luv,” where their palpable chemistry takes center stage.
Comprising a substantial 23 tracks, “Occupied Mind” transcends the typical expectations of an EP, positioning itself at the forefront of dancehall offerings in 2023, earning its place as a top-tier release in the genre.
★★★★☆
“Occupied Mind” is released by Banga House Music Group.
