ID Cabasa's Unfinished Business has been met with positive reception for its ability to blend deep nostalgia with a fresh, modern sound. Critics and fans appreciate the album as a vital bridge between the past and present eras of Afrobeats, although some new compositions are noted to be less impactful than the reimagined classics. The central theme is the belief that music is never truly "finished" and can always be reinvented. The project successfully achieves its mission of preserving Afrobeats' classics for a new generation by updating their production while remaining respectful of the originals. This "reimagination" concept has been called "sick" by some reviewers, as it encourages new listeners to seek out the original versions, creating a full-circle experience that highlights the lineage of Nigerian music. The title also subtly alludes to future collaborations that ID Cabasa intends to pursue with artists who were unable to contribute to this album.
The production is widely praised for its ability to provide a "premium new-school sound" without overwhelming the essence of the original tracks. ID Cabasa keeps the percussion tight and intentional, utilizing contemporary production techniques to infuse familiar hits with a vibrant, recharged feel. The blending of new-age energy with old-school nostalgia is a key strength, making the album accessible to both veteran fans and a younger audience. Key Tracks like - "Olufunmi (Reimagined)" (feat. BOJ, Joeboy, ODUMODUBLVCK, Fireboy DML): This track has been highlighted for its successful blend of different vocal styles. Fireboy DML's soaring falsetto and BOJ's smooth edges merge seamlessly, creating a vibrant interpretation of the classic. "Anytime (Reimagined)" (feat. 9ice, Bella Shmurda, Ajebo Hustlers, Ayo Maff): Originally a 9ice classic, this version morphs into a dynamic street-hop anthem. Reviewers note how the raw emotion from Bella Shmurda and the distinct bounce from Ajebo Hustlers reinvigorate the song for a contemporary audience. "Street Credibility (Reimagined)" (feat. Darkoo, Dunnie, Lade, Liya): The reimagining of one of 9ice's biggest hits has been well received, with the featured artists adding a fresh perspective that honors the original's legacy. The album is generally considered a strong project and a valuable contribution to the Afrobeats scene. While the reimagined tracks are seen as the heart and highlight of the album, some critics feel that the few entirely new songs blend in too safely or are "average" compared to the powerful reimaginings. Overall, the album stands tall as a purposeful and well-executed project that achieves its goal of honoring the lineage of Afrobeats.
ID Cabasa faced two primary challenges during the creation of Unfinished Business: logistical bottlenecks in clearing rights for classic songs and the difficulty in securing commitments from all desired collaborators. The most significant challenge stemmed from the process of clearing the rights for the classic songs he intended to reimagine. ID Cabasa described the process as "hectic and stressful," noting that it is much smoother in other countries. The primary bottleneck came from the people managing the business and rights for the original artists. Their focus on ensuring rights were properly catered for led to a complicated, drawn-out process. Cabasa expressed the need for music industry stakeholders to come together to streamline the rights-clearing process. He felt that the possessiveness over intellectual property in the Nigerian scene, while protective, could hinder industry growth. He attributed these difficulties to the Nigerian music industry still being in a formative stage, where standardized procedures for sampling and reinterpretation are not yet fully established. Securing the participation of every artist he envisioned for the project proved difficult. While many collaborations materialized, others did not. Cabasa mentioned that some artists he reached out to for collaborations either never agreed or promised to participate but ultimately could not fulfill their commitments. These incomplete collaborations directly influenced the album's title. He views the project as truly "unfinished business" because he intends to try again to get those missing artists on future iterations, highlighting that the creative process always leaves room for more.
