Album Review: The Hip-Hop Intellectual: A Review of Kao Denero’s ‘Heroes’ Album

by Paul A. Conteh

Sierra Leonean rapper, Kao Denero, released his album titled "Heroes" early in May 2024. In this 15-track album, the rapper showcases his storytelling skills, lyrical ability, poetic flow, and intellectual maturity.

Within the album, six songs integrate themes of Pan-Africanism, Black Nationalism and Black Consciousness among other things.

In the lead track, Think About It, Kao addresses the African struggle. He incorporates a South African melody into the background music, as South Africa was a significant hub of the black struggle during the Apartheid era. He also connects the African struggle to other countries that were colonized by Western powers. This is why for example, he gave a shout out to Che Guevara.

The songs Sheku and Strasser are a symbolic representation of the Mano River Union in the African narrative. Kao mentions these two names to provide some rationale for military rule, which is something that Western powers publicly oppose but sometimes support clandestinely. Although I disagree with Kao's messaging in those two songs, I have to remind myself that the hook for the Heroes song has a reference line "my heroes", which infers that the two are Kao's personal heroes.

I believe that the track, Coming to America establishes Kao as a skilled storyteller. Here, Kao portrays a character who challenges stereotypical images of poverty, disease and war on the African continent. The song was inspired by the classic movie of the same name featuring Eddie Murphy.

Ghetto Africa deals with common themes of the African struggle like success stories, and opposition to western imperialism. The rapper uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of the typical African struggle. In one of the success stories referenced in the song, he praises Kagame and his efforts to rebuild Rwanda, a country that was once ravaged by war.

Finally, in the album’s titular track, Heroes, Kao pays homage to three influential figures from the black diaspora: Thomas Sankara, a military leader; Steve Biko, an anti-apartheid activist; and Bob Marley, a reggae artist. The song consists of three verses with each dedicated to one of Kao's black heroes. Within each verse, Kao highlights the impact of another black hero who was inspired by or influenced the hero being praised i.e. Thomas Sankara = Captain Traore, Steve Biko = Malcolm X, Bob Marley = 2 Pac etc.

Kao's new project is a return to the original roots of rap, heavily influenced, I believe, by Nas and the Wu-Tang Clan.

For this afro-fusion-infused hip-hop project, Kao Denero worked with six producers: Lord Moe, Mic Junho, Bash Beatz, Dan Kahn, Gideon, and Mad Naija. Additionally, the rapper collaborated with a group of rappers and singers, including K. Man, Shatta Wale, Fine Face, Stex, Street Vibez, and the emerging soul sensation, Keltony.

With an average song length of four minutes, this album can be streamed on Spotify, Audiomack, YouTube, and SoundCloud. It exemplifies classic Kao Denero style in terms of lyrics, storytelling, flow, punchlines, and production.

I am thoroughly impressed with the intellectual depth of the album. Kao just provided a comprehensive history lesson on many of our black heroes in Africa and the black diaspora. Apart from Kagame of Rwanda and Captain Traore of Burkina Faso, most of the black heroes have already passed away. It makes me wonder, who are our new black heroes?

Paul A. Conteh is a lecturer in the Department of Sociology & Social Work at Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. He is also a member of Hip-Hop Ed, a global movement that reimagines the relationship between hip-hop and education. In addition to his work in higher education, Paul is an agribusiness owner, communications consultant, and development professional.

First, Europeans invaded our land. They captured us as slaves, exploited our resources, eroded our culture, and instituted a colonial system of governance. After independence from the United Kingdom, we thought our chance to build a better society was here. Sadly, those dreams were shattered by a barbaric dictatorship. Next, we suffered civil war for ten years. Later, an Ebola outbreak ravaged our country. This killer disease consumed lives, lines and legacies. To our greatest surprise, the twin disaster was on its way. The mudslide and flooding of August 2017 perished households around the water catchment area of Mount Sugar Loaf. It took us back to square one. With this background, you wonder if life is worth living (for the ordinary Sierra Leonean), as Tupac blasted himself in the song Changes.

The Sierra Leone story has segments of sadness. Ice Cube clearly stated in the rap biopic, Straight Outta Compton - “our arts is a reflection of our reality”. The history of Sierra Leone is shaped around these ugly realities. This is something we as a people cannot erase, but just live with. Amid these harsh realities, we have constantly shown response, reaction, and resiliency.

Fast forward – President Bio declared 2020 as “the year of delivery” from his government. This statement by President Bio is parallel to J.Cole’s poetic genius in Middle Child. He has chanted this policy statement in public gatherings and cabinet meetings. We as citizens watch in anticipation for the goodies of greatness to come down us falling. Well, here we go! The global Corona virus pandemic is threatening to stall development drives. The signs of hostility from this satanic pathogen are visible in Mama Salone. One is left to ponder on this question from Black Eyed Peas “what is wrong with the world, mama?”.

The rulers of Mama Salone have asked us to practice individualism; they have stopped the flying of planes on our air space; they have placed a temporal pause on the houses where the teachings from the Christ and Holy Prophet are studied and they have given closure date to the campuses of the Athens of West Africa. The spots that provide food, family-time, fashion shows, and fantasy clusters have been slammed with indefinite measures. The good news - people are complying with these trends. Even with this positive vibe - “dis tin don really monah wi oh”, as Kao Denero rapped fifteen years ago.

Walk down the streets of Freetown, and you will feel the impact of this horrible outbreak. The prices of commodities are heading sky high; the free flow of information is distorted by corona cry; the bonding religion offers is ceased, and people are losing jobs like the wind. The banks and bureaus have seen a drop in money transfer into Sierra Leone. The western world is on lockdown! The people who send money into Sierra Leone cannot leave their houses, cannot go to work, cannot make additional income, and are saving for any eventual economic catastrophe…”And the struggles of the brothers and the folks”, as rapper Common, expressed in The People.

Kendrick Lamar shared his story in “I” soundtrack. He went through his struggles, trials, and tribulations. But he knew God is going to sail him. In the case of Sierra Leone, we are going to resist this plague. The other countries will defeat this viral venom. And the planet is going to return to the pathway of prosperity. Twista gave us great words of encouragement in Hopeful. The fortunes of this country would change from Jazzy to Jay-Z. The former was this young kid from Brooklyn selling dope. The latter is a billion-dollar worth, Grammy award-winning rapper.

At the end of the day, we are going to join The Game, Tyga, Wiz Khalifa, Lil Wayne & Chris Brown for a celebration. Right now, we need to heed to the advice of Nas - stay Sabali (stay patient).

Paul A. Conteh is a Sierra Leonean Lecturer, Development Professional and Public Affairs Analyst