Published: July 26, 2025
Have you ever looked into the night sky and wondered how much darkness a star must absorb just to shine so brightly? Have you ever looked past the cheerful face of a celebrity to glimpse the agony masked behind their smile when you ask for a photo or an autograph? You call it a “celebrity crush” when you gaze into their eyes, wishing they were your lover. But do you know the tears they suppress, the sleepless nights they’ve endured?
Do you really understand what happens when they’re no longer in a room filled with thousands of screaming fans, but alone, sitting with a soul thirsty for a love that has nothing to do with fame? Can you spot the self-doubt when your favorite artist steps on stage and performs with electrifying energy? Do you sense how voiceless they feel when the media pushes a narrative that misrepresents who they truly are?
Over ten years of tireless work and personal investment in the music game—have you ever stopped to ask how Cralorboi CIC has maintained his legendary status?
What will it take for CIC to be given his flowers without shallow minds trying to trample them? Surely by now, you’ve heard the most anticipated Liberian album of 2025. What’s your take? Do you think some of the critics are just desperate to be seen, to be heard? Do Liberians truly understand what an album represents?
An album is a book in musical form. Should every song sound the same? Are all chapters of a book identical? And for those asking why older songs were included—can’t they see the chronology? Removing those tracks would be like tearing a crucial chapter from a book. Would you still understand the story?
So, what story is Cralorboi telling with Local Champion?
Every track holds meaning—whether it chronicles a personal moment or reflects his response to challenges faced, both willingly and unwillingly. Let’s rewind to the COVID era in 2020. Life was brutal. Yet somehow, creativity blossomed. “Versus” became a global cultural moment, artists engaging fans online. If memory serves, there was a versus battle between Kobazzie and CIC. Hit after hit. Then Kobazzie threw a tantrum and dubbed CIC a “local champion.” Why the slight?
We all know Kobazzie isn’t a better artist. Perhaps he believed a single collaboration with Davido was enough. But CIC saw power in the insult. He turned it into a mantra—“Local Champion”—and wore it like armor, symbolizing his greatness in Liberian music. Now, with the Local Champion album out, is there any doubt his legacy stands tall? Who else but CIC could break his own record?
The album’s intro reveals his foundation: family. With melancholic production by Gash Beats and the tender voices of his father, mother, and siblings, CIC anchors the album in lineage. He sees every fan as part of that family, united through the lifeblood of music.
Track 2 always defines an album’s essence. And when “Don’t Give Up on Me” began playing—Damn. I screamed. “Perfecto!” I muttered, again and again, eyes swelling with tears. This song, released in 2023, pulled me back to one of my darkest years—when I lost it all: friends, money, love, status. Once a decorated media entrepreneur and the first blogger to win a national award, I became a forgotten hero. That song helped me survive depression. Its presence on the album is more than a musical decision—it’s spiritual healing. And I know I’m not alone.
The love songs on the album? Whew! Would Cupid himself be proud of Cralorboi’s pen game? Tracks 3, 4, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15 form a heart-shaped core.
“Heaven” (Track 3) and “Fine” (Track 4) are sonic twins. Acoustic guitars, mid-tempo grooves, romantic lyricism—all showing CIC’s vocal evolution. “Heaven” goes full acoustic; “Fine” brings in soft drums for a richer, mature vibe.
Track 7, “Forever,” is wedding-song material. A Koloqua-powered rap blends perfectly with a heart-melting hook. “Hala Me” (Track 9) is a dancehall-flavored escape to the Caribbean, imagined through a Liberian lens. It’s an instant club banger.
Track 10, “All to Myself,” is raw with jealousy and passion—classic vulnerability from a man fiercely guarding his love. “Fvck With It” (Track 11) is as bold as its title suggests. CIC’s rap swag resurfaces, this time alongside Nigerian artist Dremo, who delivers killer bars on a track that celebrates the Liberian woman in unapologetic fashion.
On “Thick” (Track 12), Ghana’s Lyrical Joe joins CIC on a drill beat that fuses UK energy with African charisma.
Admittedly, Local Champion leans heavily into love themes—making it feel like a woman’s diary at times. But CIC offers balance on tracks 5, 6, 8, and 13.
“Congratulations” (Track 5) and “Happy” (Track 6), featuring Stunna, show CIC’s growing affection for Highlife. “Ayy Mehn” (Track 8) shifts gears with political reggae—a track for everyone, regardless of gender.
Then there’s “Plearjay” (Track 13), brimming with masculine energy. Though a “ladies’ song” on the surface, CIC’s swagger leaves plenty of space for men to vibe. The narrative continues on “Dahtor” (Track 14), again featuring Dremo, but this time with more bravado.
“You” (Track 15) closes the love story in the most intimate way. From the seductive intro to CIC’s confident delivery, it’s pure bedroom energy—masculinity on full display.
To be honest, the album could’ve benefited from tighter curation. Eleven or twelve tracks might have made for a smoother listen. At times, themes felt repetitive. But make no mistake—Local Champion is still a solid, heartfelt project.
It’s not just music. It’s CIC’s truth. His blueprint. His genius. His ego, yes—but one earned through pain, evolution, and love.
And whether or not the industry gives him his flowers, the Local Champion has already grown his own garden.
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