Wizkid`s ‘Superstar’ album is a Titan among classics in the Nigerian music industry.
It signaled a change in Afrobeat music trajectory, and everyone who gave it a listen knew that the new kid on the block was finally Africa`s very own Justin Bieber.
Superstar was a once in a lifetime genius project, but Ayodeji Balogun has proven himself to be worth quite the mantle. If you described the album as a record-breaking ground opener for Afrobeat and African music as a whole, then you`d definitely be right.
His debut single “Holla At Your Boy” is one of the biggest debuts in the history of Afrobeat, and it catapulted him out of the shores of the country at a time when his colleagues were struggling to get “Alaba Paychecks” and meagre club appearance fees.
“I hear for street say na Wizzy money, Banky dey take sort EME then. Say e reach one level self, Demuren call am make them return sharing formula to 50/50 as dem don overchop gan for that 70/30 deal”.
If I had to write a piece on the top Afrobeat albums ever; I`d put The Superstar album at Number 2, only because Fela has an unflinching spot at Number 1, & Burna has 3 on lockdown for life as per Grammy boy!
Undoubtedly, every song on The Superstar Album is a hit, but some did way better than others. There are 5 iconic songs on the album that stepped up the game for Afrobeat.
These songs guaranteed him a spot in the legends corner of the Nigerian music industry.
I. Pakurumo
The most Iconic song on the Superstar Album is PAKURUMO.
The song went on to become one of the biggest songs of 2011, charting far higher than even Ice Prince`s 2010 monster hit ‘Oleku‘ which was a hit throughout West Africa.
When the video of Pakurumo came out, almost every industry veteran and youngin was at the Owambe-themed music video, enjoy their slice of Starboy`s fame.
The song enjoyed massive radio play and fans made sure it was the next video off the Superstar album.
Pakurumo registered Wizkid`s legacy in the Nigerian music industry as a bonafide superstar.
Till today, the phrase “Funkeee” which originates from the song has gone viral multiple times, both in TV & on social media since 2011.
II. Holla At Your Boy
Holla At Your Boy was Wizkid`s debut single in 2010.
The song changed pop culture in our local space, and every fresh hint dropped by the music making process became the new definition of cool.
After the video of Holla At Your Boy was shot, Nigeria was agog with similar branded shirts to the ones worn by Wizkid, Ice Prince & D`Prince.
With catchphrases like “My money grows like grass”, “Ama Kip Kip”, etc.
If you didn`t dress like Wiz did in the video, with the Round necks, Rosaries, Snap backs, Jean and Timberlands or Toms, then you had no business being a big boy.
Holla At Your Boy made people like me ensure that I got my own blackberry device in secondary school. It was a movement, and genZ was hooked on Wizzy like ant to sugar.
III. Tease Me
In the history of Nigerian club bangers, Kemi Adetiba, Wizkid, & Tease Me all deserve a good place in the Club Banger Hall of Fame.
Tease me, Tease me, Tease me baby, was the catchphrase that earned many young children hot slaps from their mothers.
The young hitmaker had proven that he could turn it up in the club too, and the video was as seductive as expected.
IV. Love My Baby
Love My Baby was the love anthem of 2011 and the decade for genZers. The Samklef produced love anthem was on the lips of every secondary school and university student throughout the country.
“Girl, I swear to you, me no let you go”¦ I dream about you when I`m sleeping. You are the everything girrll”¦”
Wizkid had found the spare key to the heart of every young lady in the country and everyone wanted to be serenaded like Wiz did to his baby on the song.
V. Whine For Me feat. Wande Coal
Wizkid & Wande Coal`s collaboration was undoubtedly one of the best things about the album.
Wande Coal was clearly the best vocalist among his peers and Wizkid the new kid on the block.
Everyone expected Wizkid to step right into Wande Coal`s shoes as the next king of vocals and hearing them on the same record created so much fever around the country.
Bonus:
Wad Up featuring D`Prince was very big on the streets and it made the slang Wad Up quite popular.
Making sure that every one was reminded that Wizkid may be the freshest among his peers but he was from the core streets and was inspired by his time in the trenches.
“If you no know me Shut Up, If you wan know me Wad Up!”
STREAM The Superstar Album HERE
Written by Chukwumerije Bisi-Taiwo (Yinka)
@TheMerije
