You might be more familiar with SGaWD as a force in the Nigerian rap scene (we covered her in our first For Your Ears Only playlist as a feature on the hard-hitting Kno Me), but with her new release Feel Right, featuring Mafeni and DOZ, SGaWD shows us a more vulnerable, sensual side.
On Feel Right, SGaWD croons over a mellow, lo-fi jazz-inspired instrumental about opening yourself up to a new lover and allowing yourself to trust again even after a few relationships may have left you feeling jaded. The song is raw and lyrically honest, and showcases SGaWD’s range as she switches from smoky songstress to the self-assured rapper that we know her to be.
And the music video she just dropped for Feel Right is just as dreamy, just as warm and just as light. The video, which is the directorial debut of Jola Adeboye, evokes a nostalgic feel to tell a story of young love. From the hazy colour grading to the opening shot of SGaWD spotting her love interest for the first time in the video rental centre located in Surulere, Adeboye is able to capture the intimacy of young love and the warmth that comes with it.
Viewers may recall their own memories of falling hard in love, or at the very least, spending their days watching the old Nollywood films that were able to capture the magic of a relationship that fits just right. It’s with this very sense of nostalgia that is rooted in the artist’s own lived experiences and it shows perfectly in Feel Right.
This sense of nostalgia is rooted in the artist’s own lived experiences. SGaWD grew up in the beach town of Ibeno in Akwa Ibom, where the ocean was only a stone’s throw away from her childhood home. That beach was the backdrop for family gatherings and sun-soaked days with friends, the setting of many beautiful memories. It only makes sense that the beach is the focal point in her debut music video.
Then there were the outfits that were served and left no crumbs. Styled by A’alia Boyo, SGaWD saunters through her love story with outfits that mimick the old Nollywood effortless glam. From the asymmetric Seta the Label dress to the purple J Bottoms set, the styling in Feel Right added an extra layer of depth to the video.
Feel Right, both as a video and as a song, is an intimate invitation into the world of SGaWD as an artist. Vulnerability may be the word of the day and a buzzword to get the clicks going, but not here. The emotions, the ease and effortlessness SGaWD is with her storytelling is refreshing.
Even though this is only her visual debut, SGaWD is showing us that she is one to watch, and we at FEMME MAG are looking forward to her next move.
