In 2022, Edwin Madu quit his job as the editor-in-chief of Zikoko, the youth-focused arm of Big Cabal Media. Two years after leaving the media, Madu, now known by his stage name Dwin, the Stoic has released singles I Go Nowhere, Streets, Ifunanyam, Home, and revels in the audience he has built with tours in select cities across Nigeria, and in two years, it could be said that Dwin has achieved success. His solo sophomore album Master of Ballads arrived under his self-founded music label St. Claire Records.
The album mostly produced by Rhaffy, his long-time collaborator, with credits to Smasher, GRNDMSTR, and LMBSKN is an eclectic blend of folk, alt-pop, highlife, and Afropop. It opens with Be Well, a drums and resonant trombone sound prologue. The powerful intro sets the stage for what to expect from the album; a quest to rekindle a passionate longing for a past love. Initially, the opening lines suggest a sense of detachment from shared experiences, yet as the track progresses, Dwin reveals a deep attachment to the commitments and memories that bind them. The story evolves from their journey from strangers to lovers, capturing the bittersweet reality of yearning for reconnection, only to find themselves strangers once more, and in what seems like resignation, and defeat in reconnection, he sings, “And now it’s bleak as hell / But it’ll all be well,” expressing optimism despite the prevailing sorrow. The following track, Beside Me, is a heart-wrenching plea for his lover’s return, steeped in nostalgia for the joyful moments they once shared, pleading for her to “stay beside” him, and save his heart.
In Running, featuring Lindsey Abudei, the lyrics evoke vivid imagery of both of them joyfully singing and chasing the wind, celebrating carefree days that now feel distant, but not all good things last, and Dwin senses that his lover will eventually leave him for good. In Next Time, he relinquishes the struggle to hold on, asking to exit gracefully without drama. He distances himself from those who prefer a “let’s see where this goes” approach and from lovers with avoidant issues and poor communication skills. Man knows what he wants, and doesn’t have time to waste, and assures himself that “one day he would be just fine.” In Ifunanyam, he reflects deeply on his feelings on this piano-throbbing track. For fans who have followed Dwin, it’s been three years since this song’s release, suggesting he may still be tethered to that past love, optimistically waiting for her to return to him, emphasising in I Go Nowhere, his commitment to one person. This writer understands Dwin’s struggles, however, he has a lot of love to give, and one lover can’t get all the love. Steady is an expression of cliché yet heartfelt praise for his partner, calling her “asa mpetem,” his beautiful woman, a gem unmatched by any jewel.
In Letting Go, the focus shifts to the attachment issues that have led them to this moment, highlighting their inability to acknowledge that their lover has departed. This theme is explored in Hard Education, featuring Ruka, who is part of the Ignis Brothers singing group alongside Dwin.
Mr. Money doesn’t waste time, and neither does Dwin. In Time Is Money, he offers a fresh take on Mike Okri’s 1989 classic Time Na Money, blending soft highlife with a measured yet spontaneous vibe. In this track, he emphasizes movement and decisiveness, refusing to wait for lovers who are unsure of their desires. He resolves to move on if someone isn’t ready for a serious relationship, a stance that resonates—there’s no need to waste time on those sending mixed signals.
In To You, Dwin’s soothing guitar strums and breezy delivery set the stage as he reaches out to his lover once more. Collaborating with alte artist Ogranya, they remind us that goodbyes mark both the end of a chapter and the beginning of a loving one. Seeking reassurance that his love is genuine, Dwin asks his partner to hold him tighter than T-Pain’s grip on Nigerians in Hold Me Now. This theme of longing continues in Gkw (God Knows Where), which serves as a fitting return for a track released in 2022.
Dwin’s love is not shaken and in Shake, he sings, “I’ll be here when you’re feeling down / Your companion / Keep you safe and warm” and in Please Say Something, he embarks on a journey toward honesty, reassessing the circumstances surrounding him, the companionship he longs for, which he expresses through the ballads feels increasingly weary. In this track, his uncertainty, frustration, and fear reach their peak, highlighting his desperate need for his lover’s reassurance.
The closing track, Swan Song, marks the end of this chapter of love. As his heart grows heavy, the sound of a flatlining heartbeat intertwines with his vocals. His voice gradually extends as he pleads for affirmations that never seem to arrive, fading away as the beat slows. Unrequited love can be painful, and throughout this album, Dwin reflects on the considerable time he has spent yearning for his lover. Master Of Ballads is made for finished men taking listeners on a journey through loneliness, expressing the deep sense of mourning for a lover now beyond reach.
Dwin makes one thing clear with this album: he wants to know you love him pretentiously when he’s still around. Now and not as echoes at his funeral.
