A cross-African collaboration…
[Video]
[7.00]
[7]
Nortey Dowuona: Who you are has nothing to do with your wealth, everything to do with the actions you take. Be certain of them, they could be your last.
[9]
Claire Davidson: “I Know Who I Be” seems to have a greater idea of its own importance than it can credibly support. The track opens with an intro that totals over 45 seconds, slowly incorporating trumpets and guitar into its breezy rhythm, its mounting import suggesting a triumphant narrative just beyond its scope. Davido, to his credit, has the elasticity to at least make for an entertaining showman, alternating from relaxed contentment to confrontational bravado with compelling gravitas. Yet the content itself is slight, your standard aspirational luxury porn that tilts outright arrogance with the quip, You must have gone insane if you think your story is my story. The lyrics don’t really suggest anything worth coveting, either — I don’t much envy a songwriter whose imagination stops at a basic “Balenciaga/Prada” rhyme.
[5]
Iain Mew: The title phrase speaks of a simple confidence, and so does how slowly and methodically they build up the song, with space for plenty of leisurely guitar licks along the way. Each time the central theme comes back it sounds just a little more epic and impressive.
[7]
Jacob Sujin Kuppermann: Davido’s boasts are flimsy and generic — but you aren’t listening to this for the lyrics, right? The only thing that matters is that he sounds luxurious as he floats over Jazzwrld’s richly-textured production; the point he’s trying to make about his own sui generis qualities is clearly demonstrated by showing, not telling.
[8]
Scott Mildenhall: It all starts with self-knowledge — and ends there, too. Only Davido needs to know Davido, and that is all Davido needs you to know about Davido. An irresistible invitation to ponder the possibilities of this enigma wrapped in a mystery wrapped in a conveniently good beat.
[6]