Options
by NSG (featuring Tion Wayne)

Album: Roots (2019)
Charted: 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • NSG is an East London collective comprising Kruddz, Mxjib, Mojo, OGD, Dope and Papii Abz. Five of the six went to the Arts & Media School Islington, with Mojo joining later. The NSG members are of either Ghanaian or Nigerian descent and their music is a blend of British, African and American influences.
  • This entrepreneurial anthem finds the group declaring their intentions to make a million. A general 9-5 job is not an option. Instead they make their money online through hard grind.
  • The song features Dennis Junior Odunwo, aka Tion Wayne, who delivers a cold verse midway through about his work ethic.

    Tion Wayne spent 16 months in jail for his involvement in a brawl outside a nightclub in Clifton, Bristol. He recorded his verse on the day of his release. Mxjib recalled to Apple Music: "The first day Tion came out of prison, we had a meeting with our lawyer and we saw him there at the office. It was literally a couple of hours after he came out and he told us he was down to link up and make a banger, and we left it at that."
  • The song was produced by AE5, who was the executive producer behind J Hus' debut album, Common Sense. AE5 has helmed much of NSG's catalogue to date, including four of the nine tracks from their debut LP Grown Up.
  • The song was NSG's second UK singles hit following their collaboration with Geko, "6.30," which peaked at #56 in 2018. "Options" represented Tion Wayne's debut visit to the UK singles chart.
  • The "Options" dance helped the song gather momentum. Said Papii Abz: "We dropped 'Options' in November, and then around December and January, the holiday period, we had families doing the 'Options' dance. We had mums and aunties, from all over the world. Loads of videos going round and getting the numbers. It was sensational times."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Tom Keifer of Cinderella

Tom Keifer of CinderellaSongwriter Interviews

Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

70s Music Quiz 1

70s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

The '70s gave us Muppets, disco and Van Halen, all which show up in this groovy quiz.

Dave Pirner of Soul Asylum

Dave Pirner of Soul AsylumSongwriter Interviews

Dave explains how the video appropriated the meaning of "Runaway Train," and what he thought of getting parodied by Weird Al.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.