Ssi Kirooto review: Danz Eko’s new album is mostly form over substance

Danz Eko promoted his previous music videos, Nkuliko, Gamba Yes, Go Shary, as superior to his earlier work, in my opinion as a scholar of music, there is now enough evidence that this is the album to reckon with from production to promotion.

Once again, Danz Eko has employed good tactics in promoting Ssi Kirooto and this approach has garnered him positive publicity, and for sure results are now reflecting given the talkability about the album worldwide.

Track list Pulse Live Uganda

Danz Eko's music success is driven by his charismatic persona, as he himself acknowledges, Ssi Kirooto will expand his discography and increase his presence at concerts and online monetary platforms.

Despite the flood of flattering reviews, Ssi Kirooto is, unfortunately, no exception to Danz Eko's tendency to prioritize style over substance.

Danz Eko Pulse Live Uganda

Who is Danz Eko?

Born in the Ugandan city of Kampala, the artist identified as an American-Ugandan singer-songwriter and record producer. He pursued his Industrial Art degree at Makerere University in Uganda before migrating to United where he started a logistics company called Sukuma International Llc as well as taking on his childhood passion in music.

Danz Eko rose to prominence shortly after the release of his debut single Gimmie Love in 2021. His production skills endeared him to many, contributing to the rise of his great singles comprising of Afrobeats, RnB and Ragga genres.

Following his debut collaboration Yegwe (featuring Karole Kasita) in 2022, Danz Eko experienced significant success. The song did so well on both airwaves and online music platforms by the time he released Nkuliko, Gamba Yes (2022), Mukimwanyi (2023), and Go Shary (2023), he had already solidified his position as an emerging artist to look for.

The notable pattern in Danz Eko's album is his apparent fixation on the number 10 where his studio album consists of 10 tracks.

Danz Eko Pulse Live Uganda

What's on the album?

Even before its release, Danz Eko capitalized on this emotional resonance. Coupled with the challenges of navigating the ever-evolving landscape of Afrobeats, RnB and Ragga where youthfulness often overshadows older artists.

Danz Eko's choice of collaborating with different producers on the album becomes clearer. The opening track, Confirm, revolves around themes of boastfulness, invincibility, and gratitude for divine favor.

Danz Eko portrays himself as a modern-day David facing his Goliaths. There's a brief departure into themes of sensuality and love on track 3 featuring Chemical Beats, a new producer. He then returns to themes of dominance on track 4, Jackpot, arising from a promising producer Oppe Beats.

Track 5, Best Friend,was produced by Dats on the Beat. The track is too soothing and on it, Danz Eko proved his vocal prowess. While Confirm serves as a fitting album opener with its restrained yet groovy percussion, some people still suggest track 8 Go Shary, produced by Xtra Nation's budding producer Yeah It's Don as being their favorite.

To sum it up

On Ssi Kirooto, Danz Eko opts for simplicity. He has positioned himself as a socially conscious artist.

Danz Eko deserves recognition for collaborating with heavyweight producers like Ayobassboi, Magezi, Sharq, and their contributions to the album is felt given the good sound and the way they arranged the beats.

The standout vocal performance on Ssi Kirooto comes from track 7 Control, produced by Yeah Its Don and it's arguably the album's strongest Afrobeat jam.

This underscores Danz Eko's status as (Ndebele) whose template provides a platform for younger artists to thrive. He rises by lifting others and through this album, it's all evidenced due to the way he met the standards he and his loyal fans expected.