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By Abioye Damilare Samson
There’s nothing subtle about “Messiah.” The record explodes as soon as the first beat drops, immersing us into a high-octane statement of intent that reaffirms Malik Abdul’s presence as a force steering the current. The record seizes all the attention it possibly can, douses it in kerosene, and sets it ablaze. Such is the way that Malik Abdul announces himself on this song.
At its core, “Messiah” is a rhythm incarnate. The drums are thunderous and layered with precision; even though they are ear-bursting loud, they are never careless. The percussion hits like sprinting feet on hot Lagos tar; they are wild and urgent, but sure of where they’re going. There’s tension in the beat, a kinetic pulse that feels like it could burst through the speakers at any moment. And Malik rides that beat like a man possessed by the spirit of music. Not overwhelmed, but using it as a source of power.
When he calls himself the “Messiah,” it’s less about ego and more about energy. He’s not asking to be seen as a saint, what he claims is the intensity of a Messianic figure. His voice is charged with electric declarations, quick-fire lines, and a cadence that feels somewhere between a war cry and a call to the dancefloor. He understands that he is carrying something vital, something that can’t be diluted or delayed. Malik Abdul is moving at a frequency faster than most can catch.
The beauty of “Messiah” lies in how it captures the rawness of the moment without slipping into chaos. The production, while aggressive, is razor sharp. Each element feels handpicked for a very specific impact. Within its supposed chaos, there is undeniable structure. And in the middle of all that sound, Malik’s voice remains the focal point: clear, confident, blazing. It’s his stage with the spotlight strongly on him.
But beyond the intensity, what “Messiah” really reveals is Malik Abdul’s evolving self-concept. This is not a man unsure of his place. He’s done the introspective work; he’s paid his dues in melancholy and restraint. Now, he’s stepping forward as a blazing trail. There’s power in that name, Messiah, certainly not in the religious sense, but in the cultural one. It’s about presenting a new wave, about guiding people through pure, unfiltered energy. His performances have always been passionate, but here, he unlocks another gear and brings something faster, hotter and louder.
There’s also a deliberate communication happening between artist and audience. “Messiah” is about how he wants to make you feel. This is music for motion. For sweating through 3AM rooftop parties. For racing through the streets with windows down. For believing, even if only for two minutes and forty seconds, that you are unstoppable. That’s the energy Malik Abdul is offering, and he does it without apology or pause.
In a discography that already leans toward rhythmic dominance and emotive delivery, “Messiah” stands out as a flag planted in new territory. Where Moshtown to Lagosoffered a more textured, contemplative exploration of environment and emotion, “Messiah” strips away the nuance in favor of raw, undiluted presence. It’s a moment of pure ignition. Not everyone can deliver that kind of spark without losing control, but Malik Abdul makes it sound effortless.
“Messiah” is Malik in full stride: fierce, focused, and on fire. It’s a record that does more to project where he’s headed. He is fast. loud and unshaken. And with every bar, he reminds you that sometimes the message doesn’t need to be explained, it needs to be felt. This is Malik Abdul arriving with speed, and he’s not slowing down.
