Wizkid: The International Megastar
Words can describe anything and everything we wish to communicate, but the words to describe the feeling and perfection in MIL Deluxe have definitely not been coined, because what in name of impeccable was that album?
Made in Lagos has consistently held its dominance in Nigeria and beyond for close to eleven months. The album creates an insight into the sound development of Africa’s Superstar, Wizkid. The album is critically acclaimed and he extends the album’s rollout with the release of a deluxe version.
The music market in Nigeria has enjoyed other deluxe projects from artists like Simi, Straffitti, Boj. The idea of a deluxe edition is nothing new in the global market. There have been times when artists across different genres add few extra tracks to an album to boost sales incentives for CDs. The same concept is still used in today’s streaming era to maximise the sale numbers and boost chart positions. The concept gives a clearer understanding with the release of the first track off the deluxe edition featuring pop global star, Justin Bieber.
The deluxe version of Made in Lagos becomes a defining touch to Wizkid’s rebranding process that has constantly developed in the last five years. It features Buju, Justin Bieber, and a supposed feature with Bella Shmurda but things could not go as anticipated with Bella’s rumoured record label tussle prior to the project release.
Anoti produced by P.Prime opens up Wizkid’s lyricism merged in simple melodies. The guitar riffs give a smooth and infectious tune and finesse with Bella’s Shmurda’s intriguing tone. The second verse gives an unexpected melodic twist, ‘Yea, she dey sweet pass melody, she get the thing wey dey make man sing’.
Buju sings over a simple percussive instrument to set the mood straight for the track ‘mood’. The message, vocal tone bears a deep desire for enjoyment.
Steady is an RnB-influenced song that infuses a subtle feminine vocals and easy percussions. Wizkid does extra work by easily bending to the progressive loop.
The direction for ‘Essence’ Remix with Justin Bieber is to sustain its marketability and push its relevance on the global front. Justin Bieber ends a remarkable project with his impeccable verse.
When that Superstar conversation comes up, Machala comes to mind, easily and effortlessly. No one does it better. No one!
Writers — David Adeyemi & Korede Ogunleye
