Best of Both Worlds does aim to show us the best of both worlds. However, it might also be a victim of its expectations.
By Yinoluwa Olowofoyeku
Just like Godzilla and King Kong, there’s something exciting and groundbreaking when two titans of any industry collide and collaborate. So, expectations soared upon the release of Best of Both Worlds, a joint EP from Wande Coal and Kel-P, both undoubtedly giants in the global Afrobeats movement.
Producer, singer, and songwriter, Kel-P, has played a major hand in the proliferation of the Afrobeats gospel across the globe. Adorned with myriad awards and nominations from the Headies to the Grammy stage, Kel-P’s sonic fingerprint has influenced Afrobeats far and wide since he rose to acclaim with his work on Burna Boy’s 2019 album, African Giant.
Singer-songwriter, Wande Coal, has been a staple of the industry since he burst onto the scene in 2006, assisting D’Banj on his Rundown album. His Mushin 2 Mo’Hits LP is still widely celebrated and cemented him as Afrobeats royalty really early in his career. The pair have come together a number of times since 2020 and have finally released some of what they have in store.
Best of Both Worlds kicks off with the previously released single “Old Soldier”. Kel-P provides an energetic instrumental propped up by a funky bass guitar line, lively strummed electric guitars and simple piano chord stabs.
The drums are standard clacking Afrobeats fare. Wande Coal laces the track with his strong vocals, touting his seniority and standing in the industry, likening himself to the titular old soldier.
The melodies are straightforward, but the uniqueness of Wande’s voice will bolster most melodic choices. The lyrical choices mostly demonstrate Wande’s typical playfulness and wit but can also exemplify some of the more head-scratching lines he is also sometimes guilty of. “On the football pitch I be number 11 / And I dey score the goal like a number 7”
“18 years in the game I no tire tire/ Na why the young boys them dey copy my entire” Wande boasts on the title track “Best of Both Worlds”. He flaunts his vocal dexterity all over this braggadocious track, speaking on money, reputation, and even a few lines about women. The instrumental is percussion-heavy, relying on a contagious drum groove bolstered by a thumping kick and fluttering guitars.
“Ejo” brings quintessential Wande Coal to the fold. He finds classic form with his sugary melodies, acrobatic vocal runs, and rich backing vocals. The instrumental also feels like a throwback to a certain era of Coal, coming with a straightforward drum pattern atop a strong synth bassline and a heavily affected reversed sample.
“Call Again” follows in the emotional vein as Wande Coal laments the trials of moving on at the end of a romantic relationship. This song features one of the most varied vocal performances across Best of Both Worlds as Coal explores different timbres of vocals, from his soaring falsetto to guttural, throaty passages.
Beneath the layers of emotive vocals lie an equally emotive instrumental built with gently swelling chords, rattling shakers and triplet Afrobeats percussions.
Best of Both Worlds bows out with the declarative “Die For You”, which sees Wande Coal expressing love and devotion to his love interest. As usual, his singing is impeccable as he stretches his range, hitting high notes flawlessly and powering through his lower register during the verses. The instrumental is solid, building on piano chords with a thumping bassline and simple Dancehall-adjacent syncopation.
Best of Both Worlds does aim to show us the best of both worlds. However, it might also be a victim of its expectations. Bringing together Kel-P’s signature grooves and Wande Coal’s infectious melodies, the hitmaking potential was immense.
While there is nothing wrong with the result per se, it is fair to say that this clash of the titans doesn’t quite have the impact one might have expected. Wande Coal’s knack for melodies is undeniable. His singing talent is a force to be reckoned with, as no note seems too challenging for him to hit. His range and dexterity are top-tier, and he delivers his sweeping backing vocals and harmonies with evident ease.
Yet, something always feels slightly missing in terms of his content, subject matter, and lyricism. Not every song needs to be profound, but Wande Coal doesn’t offer much depth or insight on this project.
Kel-P’s contribution also feels a bit lacklustre. Again, there is no bad work on Best of Both Worlds, but perhaps expectations are higher for the Grammy Award-winning producer. With vocals as rangy and noteworthy as Wande’s, the instrumentals don’t need to do much, and the ones here serve their purpose effectively.
They provide a sonic palette for Wande Coal to paint over. However, it doesn’t feel as tailored as one might expect. It sounds more like Wande Coal singing over a selection of Kel-P’s beats rather than a carefully crafted collaboration between the two.
These gripes aside, Best of Both Worlds is still a respectable EP. It is always a pleasure to hear Wande Coal sing, and Kel-P’s rhythms naturally incite gyrations. The masses will find enjoyment in these songs, and some of the love songs may even achieve cultural impact if the chips fall in their favour.
There is certainly something in this collaboration, and it is evident that the two artistes share a musical understanding. Given the rumour that they have been working on music together for some time, a follow-up project may not be such an unreasonable hope.
Lyricism – 1.2
Tracklisting – 1.3
Sound Engineering – 1.5
Vocalisation – 1.7
Listening Experience – 1.2
Rating – 6.9/10
Yinoluwa “Yinoluu” Olowofoyeku is a multi-disciplinary artist and creative who finds expression in various media. His music can be found across all platforms and he welcomes interaction on his social media @Yinoluu.