Singing/Songwriting duo Nico & Vinz have announced their return with the release of their new album “Black Star Elephant.” Initially performing under the name Envy, they began their career in Oslo, Norway in 2009. Nicolas “Nico” Sereba and Vincent “Vinz” Dery combine the afrobeat, pop and rhythm and blues genres to create a musical amalgam that will have their listeners singing and dancing along.

This amazing duo pays homage to their respective Norwegian-Ivorian and Ghanaian roots, particularly in the tracks “The Intro,” “Am I Wrong?” and “My Melody.” Each track expresses the beauty of their different cultures and the respect each has for one another. “Another Day” tells the stories of Nico and Vinz’s childhoods and their personal experiences of survival. While theirs are stories of despair, it’s also a reminder that they survived and can make it through anything.

“Runnin’” is a genuine, affectionate love song to a woman with lyrics like “To live, to love, but I’m in love with you loving me.” This wonderful and sweet song takes its place among the many love ballads and melodies that have come before it. “In Your Arms” is a reassuring message from Nico and Vinz to their lady loves letting them know that they feel comfort in their warm embraces. “Life is a journey where you stumble and fall, but I’m ok when I lie down in your arms.” They have also included songs about the dark side of relationships. “Thought I Knew” is the tale of heartbreak and disappointment, and it captures the feelings of loss in sad, yet beautiful, way.

Nico & Vinz are more than musicians; they are storytellers and educators. With each stunning track, they teach their fans valuable lessons.  You will not only enjoy each strum of the guitar, the hum of the harmonica and the soft beat of the drums, you will learn much from this awesome duo, and will become wiser and richer for having done so.

Final Grade: A+

About The Author

Lauren Beverly

Music Reviewer

I love to write and have been doing so since the age of eight. Fictional stories have always been a favorite of mine, because it gives me a chance to be creative and to express myself in a multitude of ways. On more than one occasion, a song proved to be the inspiration to several stories I have written. Believe it or not, some of those songs were on soundtracks! That’s mostly what I listen to, aside from hits from the 1950’s up to the 1980’s. I’ve learned that anything can be the inspiration to a story, even a poster from the 1990’s or a DVD cover.

I’ve lived in Upper Marlboro all of my life and spent much of my childhood watching cartoons of all kinds, and listening to my older sister’s cassette tapes. Growing up, I listened to everything Jackson related, Paula Abdul, Elton John, and even the controversial group Milli Vanilli. As a teenager, I continued to listen to old-school hits and that was pretty much all I liked, aside from listening to all of Michael Jackson’s music. To this day, I still love old-school hits. That hasn’t changed.

I own a variety of CDs from artists such as Styx, The BeeGees, Michael Jackson, Queen, The Yellow Submarine Soundtrack, and many others. When a soundtrack comes out, there will always be one specific song from that album that I’ll love. It never fails.

I’ve graduated from Bowie State University in December 2013 with a B.A. degree in English.

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