On their collaborative project, the two superstars play it extremely safe—almost to the point of phoning it in.
It’s no mystery why Asake and Wizkid enjoy each other’s company to great degree. They’re both the definitive superstars of their respective generations, as regards influencing the soundscape and having unrivalled cultural impact. Everybody wanted to sound like Wiz back in the day and since 2022, almost every artiste in the mainstream has flirted with Amapiano fusion due to Asake’s seismic success in establishing it as the staple pop sound.
So it’s natural that two superstars of equal gravitas, naturally gravitate towards each other and in this age of collaborative efforts—also feel the need to make a record, since their first collaboration was a smash hit. Just like everyone else, this writer was sceptical this project might not come to fruition because Wizkid is notorious for not following up on his promises but it seems like he’s a changed man now.
However, that change doesn’t permeate into the music and we get the same predictable Wizkid who opts to play it safe on familiar mid-tempo soundscapes. Morayo and his impressive run in 2025 seemed to break the status quo momentarily, as the superstar turned in some riotously good performances. On REAL, we barely get that relentless Wizkid and it doesn’t help that Asake’s dynamism as an artist depletes more with every passing year, since he stopped writing with Olamide.
Magicsticks is the real champ on this EP and it’s his rambunctious beats that makes this EP tick and in many ways, masks the shortcomings of the artist duo. The opener, Turbulence draws from the well of Amapiano fusion—borrowing the log drums and shakers but deplores it in a more tempered, creative way that’s quite reminiscent of Nzaza’s production, but the vocal chops on here give it a distinct identity.
Wizkid shines more on the opener as these mildly introspective, mid-tempo bops about powering through his demons and coming out on top—are his bread and butter and Asake’s delivery while one-note—does work in the capacity of a chorus. Jogodo dials the tempo up a notch, but it doesn’t enter true uptempo rhythm. The artists swap places, with Wiz handling the hook while Asake takes a stab at the first verse.
While Jogodo isn’t inherently a bad song, it’s emblematic of Wizkid and Asake’s tendencies to play it safe. Asake especially used to have a reputation of occupying all the pockets on a beat with such panache, that he earned rapper comparisons but on Jogodo he utilizes his post 2024 signature flow that’s becoming quite stale. Sure, Jogodo isn’t trying to be larger than life and it’s simply a pop song about losing oneself in the sensual pleasures of a woman’s sexual advances—but the least they could do is sound more…mystified.
Magicsticks once again elevates both artists on Iskolodo with a boisterous beat that samples the Latin American song, “Esto se pone bueno.” What’s great about this beat is how layered it is. You have rattles and shakers stacked against each other, and there are tepid piano notes that exude sophistication and rebellious drum rolls of clashing cymbals thrown in for good measure.
It’s almost impossible to go wrong on a beat like this and Asake understands the assignment and rides the rhythm with a simple, measured flow that allows the production to be the star of the show although his chorus is a little clunky. Wizkid’s verse is more of the same too, but to his credit he switches up things in the latter half of the song and it works—as long as you don’t mind the fact that it’s recycled lyrics from One Condition.
Wizkid is in his element on Alaye, where the beat is stripped away for the bulk of his verse—giving his vocals full serenading power. The production here is cut from the same sonic fabric of the EP, but it’s infused with electric jolts that makes it more Afro-House adjacent. Asake comes in much later and can’t rise to the occasion like Wizkid does.
Wizkid’s performance on this EP is par for the course and pretty much what we’ve gotten accustomed to in his veteran years, but Asake’s low energy approach is worrying because he’s the artist in his prime out of the pair and mostly got outshone by the veteran.
It’s also hard to believe that Asake fans would find joy in this project, like Wizkid’s fans would and that’s a disturbing realization because while the midtempo territory is tailor made for Wiz, the Amapiano fusion direction was pioneered by Asake, who is now struggling to replicate his earlier feats of magic. The starpower of both artists would ensure the project’s success but it’s a shame because this project could have been a lot better, if there was a little more intentionality and energy put into it.
Final Verdict:
Sonic Cohesion: 1.6/2
Expansive Production: 1.5/2
Songwriting: 1.0/2
Delivery: 1.0/2
Optimal Track Sequencing: 1.1/2
Total: 6.2/10
