Unleash’s “Number 1” Echoes Love and Its Bruises

By Emmanuel Daraloye

Among the diverse perks of being human is the ability to find love, hide it in the embrace of two lush souls, and etch the feeling on the sand of time. Yet its fury burns differently, and its stories are often told in sorrow. For Bodun-Kareem Tobiloba Emmanuel, known on stage as Unleash, that story finds voice in his music. Debuting on May 14th, 2023, Unleash draws deeply from heartbreak, with his song, “Number 1” carrying the weight of those experiences, turning pain into lyrics and heartache into echoes that stay after the music fades.

Unleash starts his tales with “Dream, create, inspire,” not just words, but an indepth expression of a girl to her lover. He calls her his queen, promises the moon, and assures her he won’t lose her, yet with disbelief and uncertainty. With vulnerability in sight, Unleash confesses he’s made mistakes, but admits his lover let him down too. “Number 1” shifts from a love song to a regret that hurts, making Unleash a drunkard. Yet, it seems ironic calling her his number one.

The tempo is a slow-fast one which embodies Unleash’s love and grief; which also encapsulates his affection and his heartbreak message. The baseline of his words are gentle paradoxes of his experiences. The pacing mirrors the unstable nature of love, moving between calm and intensity. It gives the listener the feeling of being pulled into his emotions, unable to settle in one mood.

The chords sync proportionately with the mood of the song. They connote a hidden deception, and in only the ears of the broken can these harmonies resonate; even down to their bruised hearts. The harmonies whisper secrets of pain beneath their beauty. Each progression feels like a reminder that joy and sorrow can coexist in the same breath.

“Number 1” by Unleash follows the verse-chorus-verse-chorus arrangements which ends with some ad-libs. This structure keeps the song familiar while allowing his vulnerability to stand out. The ad-libs add a raw, almost improvised touch that makes the track feel personal. It leaves the impression that Unleash is still wrestling with his feelings even as the song closes. The ending resounds in the listener’s mind, echoing like an unfinished conversation.

The song settles gently on a minimalist instrumentation, and a stealthy-danceable percussion. The keyboard ensures the smooth transition of the song, and a mild-melancholic emotion, while the percussion enhances the sparse layering of the sound. This is an electronic production which gives the song an edge to own its paradoxical nature.

“Number 1” fits into today’s Afrobeats sound, but it carries its own twist. Instead of the usual loud horns or heavy instrumentals, Unleash keeps it soft, electronic, and emotional. The steady percussion gives it a heartbeat, while the keyboard flows like gentle waves, adding sadness beneath the rhythm. His mix of English, Pidgin, and Yoruba shows his roots and makes the song relatable. It’s Afrobeats, dressed in vulnerability, groovy enough to dance to, yet heavy with meaning.

Again, “Number 1” hits home because it speaks to something almost everyone has felt, loving someone so much, yet fearing they might leave. Unleash’s honesty makes the listener pause, caught between sweet love and deep pain. His use of a Yoruba proverb ties the story to African wisdom, while the mix of languages bridges audiences. It’s not just a love song; it blends music with heartbreak and tradition with modern sound, giving listeners comfort in knowing they are not alone.

Unleash is not merely narrating the tales of love and heartbreak; he is charting his evolution as an artist. Influenced by Michael Jackson, Fela, Sound Sultan, and Bob Marley, he developed a deep sense of expression and conviction. With the piano as his trusted companion, he translates emotion into melodies that connect deeply. In “Number 1,” passion, pain, and truth converge, shaping a work that turns personal experience into lasting sound.