In the wake of the passing of beloved rapper and singer MohBad in 2023, close friend and collaborator Bella Shmurda played a critical role in honouring the memory of the musician whose soulful interpretation of street-pop had captured popular imagination. Shmurda had first connected with MohBad years prior, as they both navigated Lagos’ labyrinthine underground street-pop music scene, developing a tight-knit bond that would provide a haven for both singers on several occasions throughout their careers. “My Brother”, released less than a month after the death of MohBad, succinctly captured the intensity of Shmurda’s hurt at the passing of his dear friend and the depth of the shared experiences that formed the bedrock of their friendship. Addressing these feelings more intently, R2 Sept 18, Shmurda’s first project since 2023’s DND, reverberates with the singer’s thoughts on death’s fickleness, the jarring confusion of a loved one being taken so suddenly and trying to work through what fond memories are left while fighting off a never-ending sense of loss. The EP was envisioned as a cogent dispatch before a more in-depth album release on the first anniversary of MohBad’s passing. Therefore, R2 Sept 18 is an unflinching portrait of the grieving process and, even though MohBad is only referenced directly on “My Brother”, the sum of its five songs bear witness to his presence and what he meant to Shmurda. “I just dey lie if I say I’m fine,” he candidly offers on the larrylanes-produced opener, “Feelings”. Those same impulses provide thematic influence for “Loner” as Shmurda bids for peace for himself, his friends and MohBad’s loved ones. Fast-rising singer and producer Bloody Civilian stops by for an ode for hustling on “1999”, while Jeriq and Zlatan combine to provide the project’s liveliest moment on “Oghene”, with the trio supplicating for divine blessings. By the time R2 Sept 18 fades out to chants of MohBad’s name from a memorial held in Lagos last year, we’re reminded of the never-ending spectre of grief and how it can still creep up on us even at the most unexpected moments.