There’s something deeply satisfying about hearing two artistes from different eras find common ground, and “Mr. Romantic” delivers exactly that kind of musical chemistry. When Eri Ife and Sunny Neji announced this collaboration, it must have made a lot of people curious, perhaps even cautious—would this feel forced, or would it flow naturally?
The latter has turned out to be the case.
From the opening notes, one can feel the genuine respect these artistes have for each other’s craft. Eri Ife doesn’t try to overshadow the legend he’s working with, and Sunny Neji doesn’t phone it in just because he’s the established name. Instead, they create something that feels like a real conversation between a sage and new energy.
“Mr. Romantic” is a melodic conversation, where Eri Ife’s heartfelt lyrics, rich with Igbo poetry like “Asa nwa! Omalicha! Uso’m!” (Beautiful one! My sweetness!), intertwine seamlessly with Sunny Neji’s legendary vocal prowess.
The production is particularly thoughtful. Those acoustic strings don’t feel like window dressing—they actually support the emotional weight of the song. And when Eri Ife drops those Igbo phrases, it doesn’t feel like he’s showing off his cultural credentials. It is authentic, like he’s sharing something personal with the audience.
Sunny Neji’s voice still has that golden quality that has made him a household name, and hearing him wrap around that “Mr Fantastic / Mr Romantic” hook calls to mind why his music has staying power. But what impresses most is how he gives Eri Ife space to shine. This feels like mentorship in action, not just a feature.
The song itself is unabashedly romantic in an era where vulnerability in love songs can feel risky. But both artistes commit fully to the sentiment, and that commitment makes it work. It’s not trying to be edgy or ironic—it’s just celebrating love, plain and simple.
Perhaps the one minor quibble is that one expects to hear them push each other a bit more vocally, moments where one could imagine them taking bigger risks together, but perhaps that restraint is what makes the collaboration feel so respectful and genuine.
This is the kind of song that makes you believe in the power of musical partnerships. It’s a reminder that great music doesn’t always have to reinvent the wheel—sometimes it just has to come from the heart.
“Mr Romantic,” now streaming on all major platforms, is perfect for long drives, quiet dinners, and anyone who still believes love songs should actually be about love.
