Story

S.O.S (Songs Of Struggle) by Ruyonga is almost exactly 18 months (1 and half years) old and so to say this is a long overdue review is an insult to an understatement.

Ruyonga (Edwin Ruyonga) is a Ugandan-born US-based rapper who, judging from this album is talented, gifted & blessed and is definitely using that gift to minister.

S.O.S (Songs Of Struggle) was released way back in January of 2011 and listening to it you can testify to what timeless mucis sounds like.

The Album Track listing:

1. S.O.S.
2. Opening Prayer
3. The Vow
4. Chariot Music ft VIP
5. This City f/ Maine, J Givens & I C Jonez
6. No Disrespect
7. Confession Flow Pt. 1 ft Brittany Soul
8. Soldier ft The Celebration Family
9. Worthy ft Brittany Soul
10. StrongHolds ft IV John and Charles Longo
11. Feel Me f/ Paula V
12. Real Love ft Maine, G Blest and C.O.P
13. Confession Flow Pt. 2 ft DJ Twelve
14. Still We Walk ft Brittany Soul
15. Thank You

Ruyonga has done several videos off this album over that time some of which include:

Ruyonga - S.O.S

Ruyonga - Opening Prayer

Ruyonga ft Maine, J Givens & I C Jonez - This City

There's a lot to say about this great album but I'll summarise and keep it brief.

KIFALME RATING: 9

CONTENT/THEME = 9
Theme is very well addressed. Ruyonga chose a great title for the album in S.O S (Songs Of Struggle) and went ahead and stuck to it as a theme all through the album in every song. This kind of, dare I say, discipline is uncommon in today's music. The struglles he addresses include the struggles as a Christian young man with the females, a Christian striving to change his city, and just generally lin=ving and walking the faith walk.

SKILL = 9
Ruyonga has very good flow which must mean that his writing skill is to be commended as well as his train of thought is easy to follow and keeps you listening, keenly. One can hardly hear any Ugandan roots in the music. Very American in the delivery .... could be seen as a plus or a minus depending on the perspective. The album has a good balance in using features - not too much as to make the album too crowded & just the right features to complement him.
It should be noted that his daring to opt to stick to the classic type HipHop in a time when the mainstream is leaning away from it is quite admirable and could maybe stem from his preference in terms of HipHop - of course not saying he can't go that way nor am I saying or taking away from the mainstream kind of HipHop that has a lot more Pop in it.

PRODUCTION = 8
For balance, I'll give production an "8" rating just so that I don't appear to give too much credit to the album. That said, production is just right.

As mentioned earlier, this album is over a year and a half old but I just came by it not too long ago - a couple of months ago actually, and I must say it's better than most projects I've heard over the same period of time. I thought it only fair to do a review of it, seeing that many around me were unaware of this blessed music like I was.

S.O.S is, evidently, still relevant, still good, still in it's time and will definitelt still be years down the line. Looking forward to the next project from Ruyonga. In the meantime, check out the singles and music he has out since and sure enough, they are still just as good.

FIND RUYONGA ONLINE:
FACEBOOK: Ruyonga Edwin
FACEBOOK PAGE: Ruyonga
TWITTER: ruyongamusic
REVERBNATION: ruyonga
SOUNDCLOUD: ruyonga
BANDCAMP: www.ruyonga.bandcamp.com
YOUTUBE: SPEAKLIFE
WEBSITE: www.ruyonga.com

Review done by Alffie,
Kifalme contributor.