Legendary Nigerian music producer ID Cabasa has delivered a powerful homage to the nation's musical heritage with his newly released album, 'Unfinished Business.' The 13-track project, which dropped in December 2025, serves as a bridge connecting the iconic sounds of Afrobeats' golden age with the vibrant energy of its modern evolution.
A Veteran's Homage to Classic Sounds
Born Olumide Ogunade, the founder of the influential Coded Tunes Records, ID Cabasa has shaped the careers of stars like 9ice, Olamide, Reminisce, and Banky W. His latest work solidifies his status as an elder statesman in the industry. 'Unfinished Business' is not merely a collection of songs; it is a carefully curated journey through time, featuring reimagined versions of classic Nigerian records that defined an era.
The album opens with 'Bere Mi,' a fresh take on the original by 2phat and 9ice, featuring T.I. Blaze and Zlatan. Cabasa's production, with its airy guitars and intentional breaks, revitalizes the track while T.I. Blaze's soulful delivery sets a reflective tone for the entire project.
Standout Collaborations and Reimagined Hits
One of the most intriguing remakes is 'Photocopy,' which originally propelled 9ice to mainstream fame in 2008. For this version, Cabasa enlists rapper Vector, who injects a slow-burn, soulful hip-hop twist. The result transforms the once airy pop banger into a moody, melodic piece reminiscent of a collaboration between artists like 6lack and J. Cole.
The album also features original compositions that stand tall among the classics. 'Ise Ta gba' with Pheelz taps into the producer-turned-superstar's signature sound, complete with log drums and a danceable groove. It acts as a grass-to-grace memoir, detailing Pheelz's own rise in the industry.
Perhaps the most ingenious collaboration is 'Make Dem Talk,' which brings together Igbo rapper Zoro Swagbag, Hausa artist Magnito, and Yoruba legend Seriki. This multicultural posse cut reimagines a 2shotz and 9ice record, using its platform to offer sharp socio-political commentary on issues like tribalism, economic hardship, and governance.
Celebrating Legacy with a Modern Touch
Other notable tracks include the all-female posse cut 'Street Credibility' featuring Darkoo, Dunnie, Lade, and Liya, which mellows 9ice's original into a choral-esque tune. The remake of Olamide's mega-hit 'Eni Duro' gets a grime-influenced beat treatment, while the remake of Styl-Plus's 2006 classic 'Olofunmi' shines with Odumodublvck's braggadocious flow and BOJ's lounge-pop sensibility.
The album concludes strongly with revamps of Faze's 'Kpo Kpo Di Kpo' and Ruggedman's 'Opomulero,' the latter blending multicultural rap verses seamlessly. Original songs like Barry Jhay's 'Alaafia' and Olamide & Ayanfe's 'Ok' add fresh, potentially evergreen gems to the tracklist.
Cohesively, 'Unfinished Business' is a slightly lengthy but profoundly pleasurable listen. It flourishes with soul, hip-hop, and street-pop magic. While the number of posse cuts might overwhelm some, the album succeeds in its core mission: inspiring curiosity among new listeners and reconnecting veterans with the classics that soundtracked Nigeria's 2000s and 2010s.
For its witty production flips and synergistic collaborations, ID Cabasa's 'Unfinished Business' ranks as one of the best conceptual playback albums from the Afrobeats scene this year. It is a worthy tribute, masterfully saluting the beats and melodies that kept a nation dancing.
