NL Throwback!! Is “Superstar” The Best Afro-Pop Debut Of All Time? » Naijaloaded

December 9, 2021December 12, 2021 Stan

As far as introductory projects go, “Superstar” is the best I’ve heard.

I don’t think so just because I am a fan of Wizkid, no. In fact, I became a Wizkid fan because of my analysis, which I’m gonna explain in a minute.

Now, it’s easy to say this is a very subjective matter, and everyone can have their favorites. True, but my most favorite Wizkid album is not even “Superstar.”

Also, it’s okay to disagree with this and I’ll be fine with that. But if you’ll just read to the end, I do think I might convince you though, by stating the obvious, of course.

The Emergence Of Wizkid & WandeCoal

For many, the moment Wizkid became that ‘next rated’ was when he delivered a hook for now-veteran rapper, Jude “M.I” Abaga on his classic “Talk About It” debut, released in 2008; a couple of years before Wizkid became the darling boy of pop in Nigeria.

Many wouldn’t hear that song until later, but in 2008-09, Wizkid sounded like a straight-up Rhythm and Blues guy. He even pitched like Wandecoal, and he had the vocal range to be paraded as a younger version of the Mo’ Hits star.

WC went on to drop a big one, “Mushin 2 Mo’hits” which is right in the Nigerian Music Hall of Fame, and the album was a defining moment for the whole industry. There was R&B, dancehall, and rap everywhere. The way the music were made had patterns and some managed to sound alike.

Amid that saturation, Wandecoal was able to do his R&B and at the same time, usher in a new sound that laid the foundation for what we have today. Back in the day, it was just afro-pop.

Wizkid’s Style Was Different

I guess you can say Wandecoal paved the way for Wizkid. But that was all he did. Wizkid was something else, the kid was a beast.

Turns out he wasn’t even an R&B guy. Man got voice, but he wasn’t no African Chris Brown or Trey Songz as he jumped on the best kind of experimental afro-beats around at the time.

Unlike Wandecoal who was produced by Don Jazzy, Wizkid jumped on beats from everyone; Masterkraft, Jay Sleek, Klem, Samklef, and others.

That’s why ’til today “Superstar” can’t be boxed into one genre. It’s a gallant show of versatility. There’s the classic afro, R&B, dancehall, reggae. What didn’t Wizkid try? He was even doing the best shout-out’s on the album. The kind you’ll only get from Fuji artists at the time, and he did it all like it was normal.

Wizkid declared death to R&B. In fact, death to one-way albums. Since his groundbreaking debut, no one’s ever tried to break into the industry with just one genre. The “Superstar” LP made sure versatility was a recipe for success in the industry.

“Superstar” Has Impacted The Culture

Its impact on the culture is wide and wild. You don’t compile top 10 albums of all time and leave out Superstar, you don’t make an old-school Naija mix without adding jams from the album, and no Superstar slander is allowed.

Talk bad about Wizkid how you want, say his songs are mid, but you just don’t say anything negative about the album. In ten years, the album has achieved classic status and has aged well, and the primary reason for Wizkid’s ‘unchallenged’ legendary status.

While Wizkid has been under fire as of late, for his lyrical content which some people think have declined over the years, on “Superstar,” Wizkid didn’t just have the rhythm, delivery, and versatility, his lyricism was just perfect; laid-back enough to turn up the party, and strong enough to garner the critical acclaim that kind of body of work needed to survive.

“Superstar” Was An Instant Hit

Commercially, the album was a banger. Not a lot of people have been able to do something like that. An album from a new artist and all the tracks go on to become top national hits? Even the bonus leak? Who else did that? From the percussive “Pakurumo” to the afro love number “Love My Baby” to the rhythmic “Holla At Your Boy” and the street-ish “No Lele,” it smashed!

“Superstar” is why so many artists sound like Wizkid, and the new ones get the Wizkid comparison. From Reekado to Dice to even Rema, that sound originated from the Superstar era. Of course, Wizkid has lived up to his hype and given more and more projects and delivered, but Superstar was the moment he became a superstar.

The album made Wizkid, impacted the culture, is evergreen, set a commercial record, and announced the arrival of Wizkid who is now arguably the biggest music export out of Africa.

While there’s a few debuts that are in the same league like, “Mushin 2 Mo’hits,” “Laughter, Tears and Goosebumps,” Superstar stands out as the most impressive debut anybody doing the Afro sound (be it, afro-fusion, Afrobeats, afro-pop) has ever pulled.

Let’s hear from you.