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Pa Salieu Afrikan Alien [Mixtape]
Early read based on 2 professional reviews. Pa Salieu's Afrikan Alien [Mixtape] opens like a reclamation, folding home, family and diaspora into a sound that feels equal parts personal manifesto and pan-African pop statement. Across two professional reviews the mixtape earned a 79.5/100 consensus score, and critics consistently point to a sense of comeback and r
The album’s core strengths are sharpened lyricism, philosophical depth, and a successful fusion of Afrobeats and Afro-grime.
While both reviews commend sharpened lyricism and the mixtape's pan-African ambitions, they stop short of calling it flawless, instead celebrating growth - a comeback that refines
Best for listeners looking for redemption and reflection, starting with YGF and Belly.
Full consensus notes
Pa Salieu's Afrikan Alien [Mixtape] opens like a reclamation, folding home, family and diaspora into a sound that feels equal parts personal manifesto and pan-African pop statement. Across two professional reviews the mixtape earned a 79.5/100 consensus score, and critics consistently point to a sense of comeback and reflection that gives songs emotional ballast as well as floor-filling energy.
Reviewers agree the best songs on Afrikan Alien [Mixtape] anchor its themes. NME and Pitchfork both praise “Belly” as a plaintive homecoming number; critics also highlight “Afrikan Di Alien (feat. Black Sherif)” as a counselling, philosophical centerpiece and single out “YGF” and “Ya Zee” for their immediacy and melodic craft. Professional reviews note how Salieu blends Afrobeats, Afro-grime and pop textures, turning setbacks into songs of redemption and framing the record as both reflective and kinetic.
While both reviews commend sharpened lyricism and the mixtape's pan-African ambitions, they stop short of calling it flawless, instead celebrating growth - a comeback that refines earlier cheeky bravado into something wiser and more expansive. For readers asking "is Afrikan Alien [Mixtape] good" or "what are the best songs on Afrikan Alien [Mixtape]," the critical consensus favors “Belly”, “Afrikan Di Alien (feat. Black Sherif)”, “YGF” and “Ya Zee” as the mixtape's standout moments. Below, detailed reviews unpack how those tracks map Salieu's journey between home, philosophy and diasporic swagger.
Critics' Top Tracks
The standout songs that made critics take notice
YGF
1 mention
"the tape’s heart, though, lies in its most straightforward moment."— Pitchfork
Belly
2 mentions
"The opening promise of "Belly"—"I been gone for a while, but I still make it back to you"— Pitchfork
Ya Zee
1 mention
"Those who listen to the tape will be rewarded tenfold when they discover ‘Ya Zee’ – an earworm in every sense of the word."— New Musical Express (NME)
The opening promise of "Belly"—"I been gone for a while, but I still make it back to you
Track Ratings
How critics rated each track, relative to this album (0-100). Only tracks that made critics feel something are rated.
Intro
Afrikan Di Alien (feat. Black Sherif)
Belly
Ya Zee
Soda (feat. Byron Messia)
Round & Round
Dece (Heavy)
Allergy
Big Smile (Pose For Me) [feat. ODUMODUBLVCK]
Regular
YGF
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What Critics Are Saying
Deep insights from 3 critics who reviewed this album
Critic's Take
Even the kinetic Afro-grime of “Dece (Heavy)” and the angelic falsetto on “Round & Round” reinforce why these are the best songs on the mixtape, showing growth without abandoning cheeky bravado.
Key Points
-
The album’s core strengths are sharpened lyricism, philosophical depth, and a successful fusion of Afrobeats and Afro-grime.
Themes
Critic's Take
Pritchard writes with a fond, measured eye, praising how Pa tweaks familiar global styles into something personal and pan-African.
Key Points
-
The best song, "YGF", functions as the mixtape’s emotional center with gospel-backed release.
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The album’s core strengths are its pan-African fusion, vivid personal themes, and concise, persuasive production.