By Ayodele Johnson

It was via streaming platform Netflix that it all started on 22 September, the rainy Friday that “The Black Book” was released.

The storyline of this movie has been interpreted to reflect what goes on in real societies, where officiating is lacking the goods that humans want to see. Those in leadership who underperform mirror that, and that’s what the audience got to see binging from their couches or train rides.

All the reviews about The Black Book have fittingly described the filming excellence depicted by director Editi Effiong when bringing the picture to life. One-of-a-kind sums up the tone of the ratings. Perhaps, what can be missed yet equally deserves utmost focus is the sounds of creativity. All sorts of ideation needed to happen first before assigning a track to run in the background across scenes, so a journey into these would get on right away.

‘Ako’ by Fela Kuti

It is the scene that shows the SAKS security outfit manning roadblocks. Over the great Fela Kuti’s exceptionally smooth rhythm displaying on the ‘Ako’ track of the late 70’s, Lagos kept on with its busy behaviour. In the open streets, people form a crew surrounded by small-sized dark ale bottles, and then the SAKS security operatives mounted a roadblock at a corner. It is a frenzy of emotions going on in the opening stage of The Black Book where the attention is on introducing characters that are prolific with crime. This is where ‘Ako’ was needed to quicken the pace at which the happenings will unfold.

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‘Seun Rere’ – Christy Essien Igbokwe

Corruption goes on in police cells. A radio presenter Sandra Ezekwesili is sharing the morning news. She is announcing the escape from prison of a gang member who took part in the kidnapping of a judge’s family. The judge was played by Bimbo Akintola, who had to go through day-time horrors in the hands of masters who needed her resignation because of her urgency with fighting graft. ‘Seun Rere’ in 1981 is an advisory if you like; the strong words of guidance coming from a thoughtful mother to her youngling to stay reformed throughout their days. Getting one-on-one with the characters, there is an obvious need for good behaviour.

‘A Song for Dolu’ – Dinachi

The mood had to be sober. It had to have accounted for tears and the personal loss of Deacon Paul Edima (Richard Mofe-Damijo) grieving over the death of his son. It starts from the pulpit when a taxi driver brings the sad news. Then the camera heads to the beachside where a killing had happened in the daytime and the culprits got away. All the while, Nigerian guitarist Dinachi was rendering verses in ‘A Song for Dolu’ to comfort RMD in his mournful predicament. The track is from the 2017 album “Parables”, but it is still performing wonders in 2023.

‘Violation’ – Jesse Jagz ft. Burna Boy

Anytime that SAKS strike, there are repercussions that follow. Street kids are the eagle in the sky as well as a decoy. They are staking a lookout that has Officer Abayomi as the prime target. He was the one who pulled up with a pistol and gunned down Damilola (Olumide Oworu), Deacon Edima’s son who had hair braids on. ‘Violation’ by Jesse Jags featuring Burna Boy is the drum of looming consequences that will befall the police officer from the underworld.

‘Gorgan’ – Elidi

At a brothel with the SAKS operative Officer Abayomi is where this soundtrack map is heading. The audience binging on The Black Book can see a hooded character walking along dimly-lit hallways connecting to a destination. As the hidden character proceeds to the venue, flirty personalities give way for the camera to see through. Now to the venue of the probe, the room where the officer was getting comfortable with a prostitute. The playful Elidi Afrobeats vibe featuring multiple artists on ‘Gorgan’ saw it all. Here the song should have been setting the stage for an easy fun evening if not for Deacon Paul Edima’s figure showing up in the night in search of his son’s killer.

Ayodele Johnson

Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.