A Bromance Built on Mutual Gain
The relationship between Wizkid and Asake has quietly grown into one of the most talked-about creative alliances in Nigerian music over the past three years. From casual public endorsements to subtle artistic alignment, their bond has always sparked debate. Some critics argue that Wizkid’s recent collaborations with younger acts are a way to stay culturally relevant after his commercial peak softened. Others see it differently, believing Asake has strategically tapped into Wizkid’s decade-long experience navigating global music markets to accelerate his own rise.
Both arguments can exist at once. Wizkid brings institutional knowledge, global positioning, and sonic restraint. Asake brings raw energy, street urgency, and an instinctive feel for what moves the local audience. So when news broke that both artists were working on a joint project, expectations were understandably high. Fans were curious about whose sound would dominate, how cohesive the collaboration would feel, and whether the music would justify the hype.
“Jogodo” arrives as the first offering from that partnership.
Sound Direction: Asake’s World, Wizkid’s Signature Touch
From the moment the instrumental kicks in, it is clear that “Jogodo” leans heavily into Asake’s sonic universe. The Amapiano influence is unmistakable, driven by a bouncy log-drum rhythm that prioritizes movement and nightlife energy over emotional depth. This is not surprising, as Asake has mastered the art of merging street chants with club-ready production.
However, Wizkid’s presence is not erased. His influence shows up subtly, especially through a recurring solo horn element that closes out each chorus. That horn feels intentional, almost like a reminder that this is not just an Asake-led record but a shared space. It adds a familiar Wizkid texture, softening the aggressive bounce of the beat and grounding the record in his laid-back sonic philosophy.
Rather than clashing, both sounds coexist. Still, the record clearly bends more toward Asake’s rhythmic instincts than Wizkid’s melodic restraint.
Lyrical Direction: Too Many Ideas, No Clear Center
Where “Jogodo” struggles the most is in its lyrical focus. For a song that introduces a collaborative project, the writing feels scattered. Instead of anchoring itself around a single, clearly defined idea, the record jumps between multiple themes without fully committing to any of them.
At different moments, the song touches on romantic desire, caution against reckless behavior, indulgence in nightlife excess, and reflections on the pressures of celebrity life. Individually, these themes are familiar territory for both artists. Together, however, they feel loosely stitched rather than intentionally layered.
This kind of lyrical disorder is often tolerated across a full-length Afrobeats album, where variety becomes part of the experience. But within a single song meant to set the tone for a joint project, the lack of cohesion stands out. Instead of telling a story or making a clear emotional statement, “Jogodo” feels more like a collage of ideas competing for attention.
Performance and Delivery
Asake delivers his verses with his usual confidence, leaning into braggadocio and street-coded expressions that resonate with his core audience. His vocal energy fits naturally into the production, reinforcing the song’s club-ready nature.
Wizkid, on the other hand, plays a more restrained role. His delivery is smooth, controlled, and almost detached, which works sonically but further emphasizes the contrast between both artists’ approaches. Rather than fully blending, they seem to occupy parallel lanes on the same track.
Hit Potential vs Artistic Depth
Despite its lyrical shortcomings, “Jogodo” is unlikely to struggle commercially. Wizkid and Asake possess one of the strongest combined fan bases in Nigerian music today, and that alone guarantees attention, streams, and cultural relevance. The song’s dance-friendly production also makes it easy to slot into party playlists and club rotations.
However, from an artistic standpoint, “Jogodo” feels more like a warm-up than a statement. It introduces the collaboration without fully defining what the partnership stands for creatively. The chemistry is evident, the sound is enjoyable, but the song stops short of delivering a focused narrative or emotional payoff.
Final Thoughts
“Jogodo” proves that Wizkid and Asake can coexist comfortably on the same record, but it also highlights the need for clearer artistic direction moving forward. The sound works, the energy is undeniable, yet the songwriting lacks the discipline expected from a collaboration of this magnitude.
If this joint project is to reach its full potential, future releases will need tighter themes and stronger lyrical intent. For now, “Jogodo” stands as an entertaining but unfocused introduction to a partnership that still has much more to reveal.
