If you’re seeing this, you’ve been deceived. You likely clicked because you wanted to see another veteran artist dragged for feeding off the momentum of the “new school,” or perhaps you came to defend a legacy from the ‘predator’ narrative. Either way, the reality of ‘Real, Vol. 1’ is far more intentional than the headline suggests.
To understand Wizkid, one must realize he is no longer chasing the “ruckus” of the immediate zeitgeist; he is crafting timestamps for his legacy. This explains why he has become surgically intentional with his features. While the public often views Wizkid as the poster child for “promise and fail,” his actual output rarely underdelivers. He operates on the biblical principle that ‘though the vision tarries, one must wait for it.’ This is why, when he announced a collaborative EP with Asake, many dismissed it as another one of his PR antics—a calculated move for relevance or, as some critics claim, the act of a predator “stealing” the spotlight from the country’s most dominant trending artists.
To understand Wizkid, one must realize he is no longer chasing the “ruckus” of the immediate zeitgeist; he is crafting timestamps for his legacy. This explains why he has become surgically intentional with his features. While the public often views Wizkid as the poster child for “promise and fail,” his actual output rarely underdelivers. He operates on the biblical principle that ‘though the vision tarries, one must wait for it.’ This is why, when he announced a collaborative EP with Asake, many dismissed it as another one of his PR antics—a calculated move for relevance or, as some critics claim, the act of a predator “stealing” the spotlight from the country’s most dominant trending artists.
However, the irony of accusing Wizkid of “leeching” off Asake is palpable. Both are titans with established legacies, and they have already traded brilliance on their respective solo albums. What exactly does Wizkid have to “suck” from Asake that he hasn’t already accessed?
This project represents one of those rare moments where a Wizkid announcement transcends hype to become a reality. The consensus here is that an equal collaboration with Wizkid signifies more than just a co-sign; it reflects his recognition of a tectonic shift in music culture. Real, Vol. 1 is a cross-pollination of values, fueled by a mutual respect for their respective career weights despite a 12-year seniority gap.
What these artists have done, beyond simply feeding the voracious hunger of their respective fanbases, is put to record the enormity of their prominence in the global music space. Setting aside the exhausted “Big 3” debate, Wizkid and Asake remain two of the most vital exports from the African music space into the global scene. This project isn’t one of Wizkid’s antics to feed off the stardom of Asake as many might think. Instead, it’s the acknowledgment of a genuine chemistry and an understanding of their respective career trajectories. It’s called seeing potential and harnessing it for mutual benefit, rather than individual ego.
Wizkid and Asake had already laid the groundwork before the drop of this recent collaborative EP. On Wizkid’s 2024 album, ‘Morayo’, he featured Asake on ‘Bad Girl’, an enticing song dedicated to a love interest that featured the swagger of both artists in their natural element. Coincidently, before the drop of ‘Morayo’, Asake’s ‘Lungu Boy’—which dropped earlier in 2024—featured Wizkid on ‘MMS’, arguably one of the best and most emotive songs off that album, which eventually became a 2024 viral hit song. There is also the history of both artists merging their melodies on Sarz’s 2025 track, ‘Getting Paid’, alongside Skillibeng. Following these collaborations that became stellar hit songs, it was not far-fetched to expect a certain level of greatness wrapped in this collaborative EP.
RELATED: One Year Later: How Wizkid’s Morayo Became a Quiet Legacy Marker
In Real, Vol. 1, we are presented with a four-track project with masterful production handled by Magicsticks. The EP opens with ‘Turbulence’, where the pair glides over soft bass drums that usher in the familiar sounds of Asake and Wizkid. Asake has long moved on from his ‘Omo Ope’ reminiscent sound and has ushered in a new raspiness in his delivery, one that feels better adjusted for global consumption. While some might view this as assimilationist, it is, in fact, an exhibition of growth. He is maintaining the cultural status of his sound while polishing it for a wider stage.
‘Jogodo’, as a prelude to the EP drop, features those signature Amapiano-infused log drums employed by Magicsticks, and the sound quality transports the listener back to the era of circa 2020-2022, yet it feels entirely contemporary. ‘Jogodo’ sits perfectly within the palette of Wizkid and Asake’s signature vocals, proving that they don’t need to reinvent the wheel to keep it turning. The mood then ascends to a nifty ‘Iskolodo’, where the curtain opens to Asake’s vocals where he sings about his success. Magicsticks’ fixation on experimental textures is undeniable here; a close listen reveals beats designed to stir intense gyration.
The EP closes with the intoxicating sound of “Alaye,” anchored by a Wizkid who slides effortlessly into the pocket. It is amazing how one could listen to this and still assume one artist needs the other to thrive. The EP shows a clear, balanced exchange of value; both artists meet head-to-head for an alluring collaboration that refuses to settle for the bare minimum.
The weight of this closing track, “Alaye,” serves as the final nail in the coffin for the “predatory” narrative. You can hear the mutual surrender to the rhythm—a moment where the “Starboy” and the “Lungu Boy” become a singular sonic force. This collaborative EP is the ultimate proof of the unflinching prowess of both artists who are protecting their culture even as they conquer others. Wizkid unfolds naturally, shedding the pressure of being the “Big Wiz” to simply be a musician again, while Asake anchors the project in the sheer might of his flow.
Rather than an artist assisting the other, what Real, Vol. 1 shows is them putting their best foot forward and creating a shared space where each can thrive without the suffocating need to be compared or ranked.
Rating: 7.5/10
Leave a Reply