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Have you gotten your Green Card? If you have, then Wanlov!

No, not that one. I am taking about Wanlov's long-awaited debut CD called Green Card. I bought it a couple of weeks ago and I have really enjoyed the experience. The album is a masterpiece that has a focus on Ghana, Diasporean issues, Ghanaians abroad, etc. I remember hearing his first single 'Kokonsa' and I immediately realised a fresh new sound then. It has taken Wanlov the Kuborlor about 5 years to work on his LP and it was well worth it. It is a great album for Africans abroad to have.

Wanlov the Kuborlor has been around for awhile, performing all over the United States at various parties and shows, and has been one of the most visible young independent African musicians. He has since returned to Ghana to pursue degrees in music and African Studies at the University of Ghana, launch his album and his career afresh. Now that he has gotten his 'Green Card', he's off to Ghana to enjoy the 'Highlife'. The Kuborlor laments how many people have to go through so much to get a green card. "We fought to get off the slave yard, now we fight to get us a green card, why do we work for this stuff so hard? How you living and you working grave yard?"

My favourite song on the album is surely Smallest time. Emmanuel Owusu Bonsu is a genius. Smallest time talks about Wanlov returning to Ghana and how he misses Africa. It is the anthem for any returnee. I am sure KSM would love this song, it should be the soundtrack in the Saga of the Returnee. Some of the lines are "My people I dey greet u, Africa I miss u, I dey come o". "Got married, green card acquired, but now I am tired, so I retired". Once you get to Ghana, Wanlov would tell you why you are there. 'In Ghana was one of the popular songs driven to help the Black Stars succeed in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and is a great song to sell Ghana. The Ministry of Tourism should pick it up.

'Human being' is another song that I have become hooked to. I routinely listen to it twice or thrice before I switch to something else. Lines like "If my sister dey struggle for Nigeria, I be Nigerian oh" make sure the song would touch many people around the world. Who cares if you country is not mentioned. Wanlov is a human bing just like you.

Wanlov is quite the humorous guy. 'Chinese Kokonte' is like an eternal ripoff from the Key Soap Concert Party. Have you ever seen a Chinese man eating Kokonte? If you did see him, did he give you some? I doubt he did, because like people say in Ghana - chop time, no friend. Wanlov uses the 'chop time' song to touch on various social issues.

One song that should garner a couple more listens is '50th Dependence'. Ghana celebrated its golden jubilee in 2007 and this song is a commentary on the events surrounding it by Wanlov. The influence of hiplife in his music is seen in tracks like 'Sagaa', 'Kokonsa', 'Asem', 'Kuborlor', and 'Supa Chompia'. There is also heavy insturmentation in the album giving it a very traditional African feel. There's some jama in there where Wanlov makes excellent use of his experiences as a Santa Clausian (old student of Adisadel College).

Wanlov is quite the poet. 'Never die' won a prize at a recent songwriting competition and songs like 'Bail Money' show his prowess. 'My skin' is another favorite of mine where Wanlov explores being the son of a black man and a white woman and the ridicules he has to go through when he's in place filled with majority of either race. "If I tell you what I go through for my life inside, Chale, you no go love to dey in my skin".

Other songs on the Green Card album include Highlife, Mek u no try, We, How ft moom, etc.

Buy the Green Card CD by Wanlov on cdbaby.com, paypal, iTunes, etc