If you bumped into Odunsi (The Engine) on his way back from a record store, chances are you’d find his tote bag filled with Afrobeats, two-step soul, and R&B records. These genres are not just his influences but also his canvas. As a producer and performing artist, Odunsi expertly weaves nostalgic samples into his music, creating a sonic bridge between past and present. By revisiting iconic tracks, he pays homage to his predecessors while redefining their legacy for a new generation. Let’s take a closer look at how sampling shapes some of his recent works.
Reinterpreting ‘Amorawa’ in ‘Back in Office’
Back in Office, a standout track from his project Nigerian Boyfriend opens with glittering instrumentals that invoke an almost ethereal ecstasy. The groove deepens when the drums kick in, compelling listeners to sway along. But the true magic lies in the chorus. Fans of Wande Coal and Burna Boy will immediately recognize the hook: “Jẹ n r'ọủọ ẹ loke”—a line borrowed from their evergreen track Amorawa. Odunsi reimagines it, transforming the original’s jubilant energy into something intimate and fluid. By layering his vocals over this familiar lyric, he both nods to his influences and reclaims the phrase within his own aesthetic.
Blending Eras in ‘Crazy Sexy Perfect Girls’
On Crazy Sexy Perfect Girls from his Leather Park album, Odunsi continues his exploration of sampling by channelling early 2000s R&B. The track opens with a vibe reminiscent of Pharrell’s Frontin’ and Sean Paul’s I’m Still in Love with You. Just as listeners settle into this nostalgic groove, Odunsi introduces Wizkid’s Don’t Dull bounce during Bella Shmurda’s verse. The unexpected fusion of genres and eras feels effortless, showcasing Odunsi’s ability to repurpose familiar sounds in ways that feel both innovative and cohesive. The collaboration—an unexpected but perfect pairing—reiterates his knack for curating moments of musical surprise.
Flipping Collateral Damage in Chanel
Another prime example of Odunsi’s sampling prowess is Chanel, the follow-up to Crazy Sexy Perfect Girls on Leather Park. The track borrows its melody from the intro of Burna Boy’s Collateral Damage, a standout record on the African Giant album. While Burna’s original delivers a defiant, fist-pumping anthem, Odunsi flips the script. On Chanel, the sampled melody is softened and paired with vibrant, party-ready instrumentation reminiscent of P-Square’s Do Me era. The result is a track that feels like a throwback to a 2011 house party, offering listeners a playful counterpart to Burna’s politically charged narrative.
Throughout his career, Odunsi has faced criticism for his relentless experimentation, but as he explained in a recent interview with the Leather Park Collective, such criticism has only fuelled his creativity. The Engine’s subsequent projects have emphasized his dedication to studying past compositions and invoking new emotions through derivative works. Each project is a testament to the power of sampling as a tool for storytelling, bridging generations and genres.
Odunsi’s ability to curate, reinterpret, and transform samples has cemented his reputation as a trailblazer in Afropop and beyond. His artistry—rooted in a deep respect for musical history—creates a space where nostalgia meets innovation. For his 337,000 Spotify listeners and countless others, The Engine’s work is not just music; it’s a celebration of the past and a vision for the future.
