Draft:Naked (Darey album)

Naked, is the fourth studio album by Nigerian R&B and Afro-soul artist Darey. It was released on 13 October 2015 by Livespot. The album features a blend of Afrobeat, soul, and contemporary R&B genres, showcasing Darey's versatility and artistic growth. Notable artists featured on the album include Aṣa, Olamide, and the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the album includes production work by notable producers such as Oscar Heman-Ackah, Vtek, and Cobhams Asuquo, with Darey himself serving as the executive producer. Naked received critical acclaim for its rich musicality and lyrical depth, further establishing Darey as a significant figure in the Nigerian music industry.

Background
Following the success of his previous album Undareyted (2009), Darey embarked on the creation of Naked as a follow-up project that would showcase his evolving musical style and artistic vision. The album marks a notable departure from his earlier work by embracing a more diverse sound palette, incorporating elements of Afrobeat, soul, and contemporary R&B. Darey, who has been a prominent figure in the Nigerian music scene since his debut From Me 2 U (2006), sought to explore new musical territories with Naked, aiming to create a project that reflects his growth as an artist and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of his genre.

The title Naked symbolizes Darey’s intent to present a raw and authentic side of himself, both personally and professionally. Through its tracks, the album delves into themes of love, self-expression, and vulnerability, resonating with audiences and further cementing Darey's reputation as an innovative and influential artist in the African music industry.

Singles
The album spawned only two singles, "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" featuring the Soweto Gospel Choir, and the remix of the first track off the album, "Asikò Laiye" featuring indigenous Nigerian rapper Olamide. "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" with the Soweto Gospel Choir, was released on 7 July 2015, and was produced by Oscar Heman-Ackah. "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" was released alongside the remix of "Asikò Laiye" featuring Olamide, which was released the same day. "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" was nominated for Best Vocal Performance (Male), and won Best R&B Single and Best Recording of the Year at The Headies 2016. "Asikò Laiye (Remix)" was produced by Vtek. The music video for "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" was released on 12 May 2016 and was directed by Mex Films. The music video for "Asikò Laiye (Remix)" was released on 7 March 2016 and was directed by Mr. Moe Musa.

Composition
The album opens with "Asikò Laiye", which borrows a drum beat from Fela Kuti's "Fear Not For Man" and talks about "how there is a time for everything and how profitable waiting can be." "Òrékeléwà" is a highlife-inspired love song characterized by its guitar riffs and Yoruba percussion. It echoes classic love songs from Nigerian music history, blending traditional elements with contemporary sounds. "You're Beautiful" blends Anglophone lyrics with Juju rhythms and includes a Yoruba refrain towards the end, celebrating the beauty and power of women while incorporating traditional Nigerian music elements. "Love You Die" is a mid-tempo song that focuses on expressions of affection and flattery, set to a call-and-response style typical of Nigerian English. "Lie To You", a low-tempo track about unrequited love, features Cobhams Asuquo’s piano work. The song’s introspective lyrics and Darey’s vocal performance highlight themes of heartache and longing. "Pray For Me (Gbadura Fun Mi)" features gospel influences and Yoruba lyrics, telling the story of a young man seeking success in the city and is reminiscent of M.I Abaga's "Money". "Delilah (Taxi Driver)" is a tribute to Bobby Benson’s "Taxi Driver", which updates the original narrative with a more modern context. It reflects themes of societal and moral commentary through a contemporary lens. The remix of "Asikò Laiye" adds a new dimension of street-hop to the original track, though it has been critiqued for its less impactful lyrical content compared to the main album. "Inside Of You" is a duet with Aṣa that blends soulful melodies with a suggestive vibe, exploring themes of intimacy and connection. "I Go Make Am" is a motivational track that relies on Darey’s vocal strength to convey a message of perseverance and determination, distinct from more exuberant anthems in its restrained approach. "Champion" shares the title of Nigerian reggae artist General Pype's 2010 single, and is an empowering song that might also reflect Darey’s personal or professional aspirations. Its upbeat tempo and motivating lyrics celebrate triumph and success.

Critical reception
The album received generally positive reviews from critics. OloriSuperGal's Opeyemi Beckley praised Darey’s Naked for its superb vocals, production, and musical exploration. The reviewer highlights Darey’s versatility as a singer, noting his ability to seamlessly switch between subtle and powerful vocal performances. The album is described as a well-crafted and anticipated release, with standout tracks that showcase Darey’s talent and creative depth. The only concern mentioned is the high standard set by Naked, which may pose a challenge for future albums. David Hundeyin of ID Africa highlights Naked as a superbly crafted album, praising its exceptional vocals, delivery, production, and arrangement. The album's level of musical exploration and research is commended as phenomenal, suggesting it could be one of Nigeria's standout albums of the year. The only notable critique is that the high standard set by Naked will make it challenging for future albums to match. Given Dare Art Alade's extensive discography, however, he is seen as capable of continuing to impress with future releases. The Clean Vibes described the album as a "raw expression of sound and ideas, which strips away pretense and exposes the very depth of darey’s musical essence and emotions."

Personnel
Credits adapted from album's back cover.
 * Dare Art Alade – primary artist, executive producer
 * Bukola Elemide – featured artist
 * Olamide Adedeji – featured artist
 * Oscar Heman-Ackah - producer, A&R
 * Vtek - producer, mixing engineer, mastering engineer
 * Cobhams Asuquo - producer
 * Olaitan Dada - mixing engineer
 * Deola Art Alade - A&R, executive producer
 * Yetunde Babaeko - photography
 * OlabodeSkills - album design
 * Mr. Moe Musa – video director
 * Mex Films – video director