Zlatan<\/a>, pioneer of zanku music and dance, a high energy brand of Nigerian footwork from Agege on the Northern frontier of Lagos, has become much more than a viral one hit wonder. The artist\u2019s debut album Zanku<\/em> was a memento to Zlatan\u2019s deft ability to capture a trend (zanku stands for \u201cZlatan Abeg No Kill Us\u201d) and now the rapper is rubbing shoulders with Nigeria\u2019s full slate of trendsetters.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Recent years have seen Zlatan making the rounds of the African music star system, appearing on Davido<\/a>\u2019s critically acclaimed A Good Time<\/em>, Burna Boy<\/a>\u2019s grammy winning African Giant<\/em> and superproducer Rexxie\u2019s debut project A True Champion<\/a><\/em>. Nonetheless Zlatan still finds space for his urban roots. We find the rapper and singer in full form on \u201cShakur\u201d featuring South Londoner Ms Banks reminiscent of Zlatan\u2019s collaboration with Gambian boy Pa Salieu<\/a> from Coventry on the rapper\u2019s 2021 EP Afrikan Rebel<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That said, the album is a smooth, dense listen at 12 tracks running 35 minutes. The work brings together elements of palm wine music and the unmistakable blend of r&b and hip hop that makes afrobeats pushing for a more mainstream endeavor notably on pop cuts \u201cLevel\u201d and \u201cPolongo\u201d with Fine Boy Bella Shmurda. It appears zanku is a thing of the past, except perhaps for the track \u201cEnergy\u201d featuring Tanzanian songwriter Rayvanny and South African superstar Sho Madjozi<\/a> which is the energetic climax of the album.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n