AU Pro’s “Lifestyle” EP Blends Vulnerability, Reality, and Vibes

By Emmanuel Daraloye

Creativity wriggles her magnificence as AU Pro again proves himself with his “Lifestyle” EP. Augustine Ebu, known professionally as AU Pro, is a Nigerian Afrobeats artist and producer whose journey started from sound engineering and music production before fully stepping into the spotlight. He has released two EPs, “Somtin’ Different” (2019) and “Lifestyle” (2021), alongside several singles.

AU Pro has worked with notable Nigerian artists like Burna Boy, Ice Prince, Ycee, and Praiz. This resilient artist, as a former AFRIMA Rookie of the Year nominee, AU Pro’s career shows gentle growth and a deep commitment to the Afrobeats movement. On his EP, “Lifestyle,” released August 18, 2021, he showcases his most honest and expressive form. This masterpiece is made up of five songs, weaving different emotions and telling different stories.

“Let Them Know,” the first, juggles boast, resilience, and mindfulness in one sonic expression riddled with rhymes, proverbs, and pauses. Taking repetition as a tool, AU Pro knits his lyrics in the ears of listeners. With the use of the English language and the pidgin, he deepens his African cultural anecdotes and messages. The production rests on mid-tempoed percussion and filled-log drums.

“Cold” pricks the soul as the strings of the guitar get strummed and the piano chords get played, while the ad-libs in the intro make it sound like a call. While this song is rich in sound production, its context seems too ambiguous for the listener to even have a grasp. The conversation, seeking clarity, asking, “… Tell me, what have they done to you?” is quite understandable, but why should the singer use endearing words after the heartbreak? Like, “My baby no dey tire…” His vocals on this song are neutral, which betrays the emotions he should show on the song and also make the listener feel.

“Pull Up” starts with an unclear intro and voice. He sings of reverence to Wizkid, Ice Prince, and their influences. From Wizkid to Ice Prince, Don Jazzy, and also a reference to Rick Ross and Lady Gaga. He didn’t leave out Patoranking and Davido while he touched Flex, saying, “Pull up in the club…” The song’s bass kick and bass chords give the song’s listeners some groovy time. The song’s sound production is surreal and simple. However, the song loses essence as it only calls for people to “Pull in the club…” but for what? The lyrics should have pointed listeners more in their direction, not being splattered around.

“Repete” tucks in the listener first with the intro and the equalized-like rumbled log drums. The first statement is a confession with a skylark-like voice and a profession to a girl. The dancefloor sonic magic pushes one to dance while the bodies touch and the souls caress each other. AU Pro’s premise, “My baby got the fire; girl, your body repete,” affirms the sensual appeal of this figure he praises. This song should have been layered by more emotional influxes. There is the use of the saxophone, which gives a tip of that. The sax should have been given some marks to make the soul levitate even while AU Pro adores a body, which he did well.

“Free” makes the heartbeat skip rhythms at the listening of the vocal intro. But before this, the chirp of a tiny bird causes the listener to think of a morning that is kissed with the lovey-dovey imageries of a garden where lovers meet. The end rhymes, “…follow,” “…tomorrow,” etc., make the flow of the song easy and peasy. It’s like a letter to fine girls. “I give you my love for free; I give you my heart for free” gives out the song’s essence. Featuring Ice Prince and Teazer, this song gives a perk on the listeners’ cheek. However, the song would have been more perfect with more of a choral effect taking the chorus to another level. It would have cemented that emotional depth of the song.

With close to 15 years of experience, AU Pro keeps living, expressing himself, and giving a part of his creativity to his listeners. He keeps evolving as an artist, but he needs more energy for longevity. As an artist, creativity alone can’t keep one up there, alone. He needs to enrich his yearning. U Pro, however, still keeps being one of the artists that puts the map of the country on international spaces with their great efforts.