This is a true barbershop debate at heart inspired by my guy Steve Dede (I am not cutting you a cheque).
Has Wizkid surpassed 2face Idibia (or 2Baba as he calls himself these days)?
This question is borderline blasphemous to many but with the recent Billboard stunting of Wizkid’s single ‘Essence’ featuring Tems, it is a question that needs an answer.
‘Essence’ has gone from being a fan favourite off Wizkid’s last studio effort ‘Made In Lagos’ to gaining an ubiquitous ‘summer’ presence.
Veteran US journalist Elliott Wilson recently asked if the smooth song was the song of the summer - a coveted unofficial music award in America.
The last time a Wizkid record was this far-reaching culturally was his hometown ode ‘Ojuelegba’. Just like his collab with Tems, it reverberated from Lagos to London (the Afrobeats cultural exchange highway) and then to America.
For Big Wiz, lightning has struck twice, overseas of all places. His phenomenal ten-year run, blessed by a Billboard placement, now begs the question - is he greater than 2Baba?
This match-up is similar to the Michael Jordan and Lebron James debate.
Old basketball heads swear that MJ was the first man to walk on air (I believe this) and the young guns are ready to fight to the death that King James is the Thanos of basketball (well, we all know what happened to him in ‘Avengers: End Game’).
These intergenerational debates have to do with recent bias and nostalgia.
To end all this talk, MJ addressed this debate when he was asked who the greatest golfer of all time is - Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods?
Jordan said it is unfair to judge two athletes who played during two different eras and brought two different things to the game.
2face Idibia led his generation in the revitalization of an urban music scene that had crumbled in the 90s and also sparked the dominance of Nigerian music in Africa. His music video was the first to be played on MTV Base when it was launched in 2005.
‘African Queen’, a Nigeria music canon, left the shores of Nigeria and landed on the soundtrack of a Hollywood flick. He was the first Nigerian act to win an MTV Europe Music Award and gained impressive co-signs from the likes of Beenie Man and Wyclef Jean.
His first two solo albums, not only mega successful, are Nigerian pop staples that highlighted the ambition, creativity and potential of millions of Nigerian youth that had been stifled by the oppressive climate of military dictatorship.
I know why the free bird sings.
2face’s generation basked in freedom. It had the license to roam free and it did. It raised Nigeria’s profile musically on the continent and re-established a connection with young Nigerians in the diaspora, building the core fan base that Afrobeats would thrive on a decade or so later.
2face Idibia shattered the ceiling placed on his generation but it also met another glass ceiling.
It also had the desire to conquer the world but it didn’t have the means to. There was no streaming then.
I mean, Nigeria is so plugged into the global music space that we now have Nigerian artists proclaiming they have the song of the summer when summer is not even a reality over here.
For 2face and co, it was also a matter of time. The world wasn’t just ready for West African pop music.
Kanye West tried to introduce it to America with D’banj but it wasn’t the right time and it wasn’t the right artist. Psquare enlisted Rick Ross to help gain access into North America but the song did more here than over there.
The 02 Arena which has now become the stomping grounds of Afrobeats and where Naira Marley simultaneously simulated the rolling of a joint while doing the legwork was reserved for pop icons during the height of 2face’s powers and fame.
If Michael Jackson hadn’t died in 2009, he would have performed 50 shows at the arena. In 2007, MJ’s archrival performed at the same venue for 21 nights - all sold out.
Rightly so, the Wizkid generation has picked up from the 2face generation and taken Afrobeats boldly where no man has taken it before.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the successful baton exchange between 2face Idibia and Wizkid- the GOATS of their respective generations.
It’s a continuum and not the end of one era and the beginning of a new one or a dick measuring context.
2face Idibia went to space and Wizkid walked on the moon. It will be the mandate of another generation to build a colony on Mars.
There can only be generational GOATS but an overall GOAT is just for hype, publicity and barbershop talk.
Dave Drops Sophomore Album ‘We’re All Alone In This Together'
“We’re from Nigeria, Benin city, Sin City”.
Dave is back with his sophomore album and from my first listen, I like it.
Trust Dave to drop not only bars but introspective lines as well. On this album, there is no sophomore slump in sight for one of the UK’s finest rappers.
Ajebo Hustlers Out With ‘Kpos Lifestyle Vol. 1’
The PH City boys are out with a brand new album. If you are a fan of the group like I am, this album has tunes for you to enjoy.
My favourite for now is ‘Oh My Home’. I like it when Piego and Knowledge get into their conscious bag. Heavy.
‘Call Me Baby’ by Cheque
Are we sure this kid is not a rapper?
His flow on his new single doesn’t sound like he is a singer at all. Well, his breakout single ‘Zoom’ was more melodic rap than anything else. Anyway, the genre-bending singer has another impressive song on his hands.
Bonus - check out a new EP called Zero Your Mind by Dagizah.
Other releases - ‘Rihanna’ by The Kazez, ‘Problem’ by Kida Kudz, ‘Unconditionally’ by Ajebutter 22 and Oxlade, ‘Times Two (X2)’ [feat. Buju] by Wani, and ‘Iyawo Wa’ featuring Peruzzi by Aramide.
For other notable releases you can check my Audiomack verified curated playlist ‘Mainland BlockParty’.
Tune You Should Listen To
‘4U’ by Deena Ade - Singer Deena Ade released a new single ‘4U’ a couple of weeks ago. Deena is never one to hold her tongue. ‘4U’ is a sexy single for grown women out there and men who appreciate this vibe also.
234 Essential Podcast
You can listen to the latest episode of 234 Essential podcast which I co-host with Ugochi HERE
This week, Ugochi and I discuss the burial of Obi Cubana’s mother, the Federal government budgeting N4.8bn to monitor WhatsApp, Satellite Phones, Fashola Proposing three Month Rent By Landlords and why landlords collect service charges.
234 Essential Podcast is produced by Visual Audio Times. If you want your podcast to be professionally produced, promoted and distributed, reach out to Visual Audio Times.
For enquiries and ads send me an email - contact@ayomidetayo.com