Back in Office is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Mayorkun. It was released on 29 October 2021 through Sony Music West Africa. The album features guest appearances from Flavour, DJ Maphorisa, Kabza de Small, Joeboy, Gyakie, and Victony. Production was handled by Fresh VDM, Speroach Beatz, Telz, Clemzy, Quebeat, Semzi, Junior Taurus, Phantom, Tempoe, DJ Maphorisa, and Kabza de Small. It serves as a follow-up to Mayorkun's debut, "The Mayor of Lagos" (2018).
Background and recording.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Mayorkun was significant in the Nigerian music industry, holding his position as "the mayor of Lagos", a term he's well-known as. He released hit singles such as "Geng", "Of Lagos", and "Betty Butter", however, after this streak, he took a deliberate break from the music scene to focus on "Back in Office", which had came three years after his debut, "The Mayor of Lagos" (2018). While Mayorkun had been recording music since early 2020, many of the earlier songs he created didn’t fit the album’s theme, leading him to restart the process. The conscious effort to shape the project began about eight months before its release. The album showcases Mayorkun’s growth as an artist, with smoother vocals, richer songwriting, and a willingness to experiment, as seen on tracks like "Soldier Boy" and "Piece of Mind", where he opened up about personal struggles. Tracks like "Feel Am" featuring Flavour, involved collaborative efforts, with Mayorkun even learning Igbo phrases to enhance authenticity. Despite the challenges, including navigating the pressures of fame and personal struggles, Back in Office represents a cohesive and mature body of work that highlights Mayorkun’s artistic evolution through its intricate melodies and refined production.
He announced the album's release through his Instagram page on 7 October 2021. The album's official track listing was revealed on 23 October 2021.
Singles.
"Back in Office"'s lead single "Let Me Know" was released on 20 August 2021. Produced by Clemzy, it served as his first solo project in nine months at the time. "Let Me Know" was released under Sony Music West Africa instead of Davido Music Worldwide (DMW), his previous label, which left fans to speculate if Mayorkun was leaving DMW. The second single and title track was released on 1 October 2021. It marked Mayorkun's first official single with Sony Music after leaving DMW. Produced by Speroach Beatz, the track blends afropop with elements of amapiano, incorporating clear vocals, a saxophone melody, and lively percussion. Its official music video, filmed on the streets of Lagos Island, portrays Mayorkun as a real-life mayor returning triumphantly to office, greeted by enthusiastic crowds. The third and final single off the album, "Holy Father", features Victony, and was released on 27 October 2021. Produced by Semzi, its TG Omori-directed sci-fi music video was released on 27 January 2022.
Critical reception.
Motolani Alake of "Pulse Nigeria", in his review of "Back in Office", praised its growth and ambition while noting the album's mix of Afro-pop with more profound themes. Alake highlighted Mayorkun's willingness to experiment with his sound and lyrics but mentioned that some tracks were let down by production. He concluded, "In the end, '"Back In Office"' is an improvement on '"The Mayor of Lagos"'." It reflects growth and Mayorkun’s awareness of the soundscape and his own self," rating the album 7.3 out of 10.Emmanuel Daraloye's review of "Back in Office" for "Afrocritik" noted the Mayorkun's growth and shift in sonic direction from his debut album. Daraloye highlighted the album's well-written lyrics and varied themes, reflecting Mayorkun's maturation in his craft. He concluded, ""Back in Office" is a paradigm shift from "The Mayor of Lagos"... At the end of the play, a new Mayor was born, he would be here for a while longer," rating the album 7 out of 10.
Dennis Peter of "the Native"'s review highlighted that while the album doesn't break new ground, it successfully combines the artist's hit-making abilities with a full-length album format. The project features a variety of musical influences and retains Mayorkun's charm and relatability. Peter concluded, "He’s a pop star, and pop stars don’t really need great albums to remain on top." Bisi-Taiwo "AfrobeatsMerije" Chukwumerije of "tooXclusive" noted that the album is a versatile and intentional project that showcases his talents and maintains his influence in the African market. He highlighted Mayorkun's strong wordplay, melodic brilliance, and quality production, especially on standout tracks like "Holy Father." Chukwumerije concluded, "This is a guaranteed success for Mayorkun and everyone on his team," rating the album 6.5 out of 10.
Track listing.
Personnel.
"Credits adapted from liner notes."
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References.
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