While the collaboration between these two leading heavyweight Afro-Pop stars holds immense cultural relevance, there’s an undeniable letdown in what the Real Vol. 1 EP offers sonically.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Asake and Wizkid occupy pivotal positions in the global ascension of Afrobeats. Wizkid, the golden boy and poster child of Afro-Pop on the international stage, has earned his stripes through consistent innovation and chart-topping dominance. Asake, whose meteoric rise since his 2022 breakthrough continues unabated, has established himself as one of the genre’s most prolific and exciting voices. The collaboration between these two heavyweights on the new EP Real, Vol. 1 has long been anticipated, especially after their electrifying chemistry on 2024’s mutual features: the smash hit “MMS” from Asake’s Lungu Boy album and “Bad Girl” from Wizkid’s Morayo project.
The discourse surrounding their undeniable synergy intensified throughout 2025 as live performances of “MMS” continued to captivate audiences, who clamoured incessantly for a joint project. The announcement of their collaborative EP, Real, Vol. 1, came during an Apple Music Radio takeover interview in early December 2025. Though initially slated for a late December release, the rollout shifted, and the lead single “Jogodo” dropped in mid-January, followed by Real, Vol. 1 a week later, coinciding with Wizkid’s heated online exchange with Seun Kuti.
The lead single “Jogodo” carries the ambitious blueprint of a freewheeling, vibe-centric project. Wizkid attacks the beat head-on without any instrumental preamble, and dives straight into the infectious hook: “No be for here you go jogodo/Say tonight, you go dey know, know, know/Wọn fẹ pa mi with ogogoro/No be today we dey kpo, kpo/Ọmọ, your body dey pololo (yeah)”. A sultry saxophone solo punctuates the chorus before Asake delivers his characteristically catchy verse. Produced by Asake’s trusted collaborator, Magicsticks, the track rides a steady, groovy log-drum-powered beat that establishes a breezy, sun-soaked mood, though it breaks little new ground for a marquee collaboration of this calibre.
The intro track “Turbulence” is exceptionally distinct in how both artistes effortlessly coast over the beat; each of them brings introspective depth to their verses. Asake opens with reflections on life, sings about collective struggle and the uncertain timelines for success, before pivoting into revelry and hedonistic indulgence. Wizkid’s verse, though signature in style, is brilliantly delivered with his buttery, silken vocals, reminiscent of their seamless interplay on “MMS”.
The brilliance of producers Magicsticks and LOL shines on the Caribbean-leaning “Iskolodo”, a sun-drenched fusion of Latin Pop and Afrobeats. The intro features a sample from Los Chayanne’s 2025 track “Esto Se Pone Bueno (Extended)”, itself a reimagining of the original 1988 hit by popular Latin artiste Chayanne, immediately establishing the song’s cross-cultural ambitions and layered sonic genealogy. While the vocal delivery lacks urgency and bite, the experimental instrumental serves as the track’s saving grace, layered with shimmering Xylophone-like chords, sultry saxophone lines, and percussive shakers that lend it an understated Jazz-inflected groove.
The EP’s closer, “Alaye”, offers a hypnotic, trance-inducing atmosphere, particularly in its intro where Wizkid makes an energetic and dramatic entry: “Fàájì lawa, fàájì lawa, repete / from the night ‘til the morning, elele / Touch my body, make I touch you selense Your body elele (Opor), your body elele”, he chants. He flows comfortably in Street-Pop territory—Asake’s signature domain—with infectious call-and-response cadences. The log drums and synths, punctuated by crisp snare hits, drive the instrumental forward with pulsating Afro-House elements. However, Asake’s verse feels disappointingly tepid and lacking in the dynamic energy the track demands.
The genius of Magicsticks, undeniably, is the sonic backbone of Real, Vol. 1. His meticulous instrumentation and the textured richness of the beats throughout illuminate why he has become one of the most sought-after producers with an impeccable ear for immersive soundscapes since his historic run with Asake began in 2022.
While the collaboration between these two leading heavyweight Afro-Pop stars holds immense cultural relevance — pushing the Afrobeats sound forward and championing more high-profile joint ventures like this — there’s an undeniable letdown in what the EP offers sonically. It lacks inventiveness, as both Wizkid and Asake fail to meet the lofty expectations set by the very chemistry that birthed this joint project. The safe, cruise-control approach feels like a missed opportunity for two artistes capable of so much more.
Of course, Real, Vol. 1’s commercial success is inevitable. Raw star power and devoted fanbases guarantee that. But a project of this magnitude should deliver more than just familiar ideas and predictable structures; it should push boundaries, challenge conventions, and showcase artistic growth. Real, Vol. 1, doesn’t quite do that. We can only hope that Vol. 2 will see both artistes fully unleash their creative potential and deliver the groundbreaking body of work their collaboration truly deserves.
Lyricism – 0.7
Tracklisting – 1.2
Sound Engineering – 1.7
Vocalisation – 1.4
Listening Experience – 1.5
Rating – 6.5/10
Abioye Damilare Samson is a music journalist and culture writer focused on the African entertainment industry. His works have appeared in Afrocritik, Republic NG, NATIVE Mag, Newlines Magazine, The Nollywood Reporter, Culture Custodian, 49th Street, and more. Connect with him on Twitter and IG: @Dreyschronicle