Christmas presents came late, but it was definitely worth the wait. "Big Wiz, Mr Money, you heard it here first, get ready for your Christmas presents this December"; that was DJ Tunez's response to Wizkid and Asake unveiling their first joint project on the Apple Music Show: Real Vol 1. Teased as "for the people" by Wizkid and originally announced to drop December 2025, it finally released this morning, January 23rd. The presents are here now, and this is the unboxing experience.
Vol 1, Part 1: Turbulence
"Kò sọ̀mọ̀ tí mo gbé tí ó kìn ké": Ọlọ́ládémí Asake, Mr Money, Àpọ́mọ́lékúnjaiyé. That was REAL. Mr Money starts off this track beautifully stating some of his facts on verse 1 flowing into the chorus: "Too many lies / Too many people wey no nice / Many many dey overwise / Me I no dey cap, ọmọ ṣ'oyè / Heavyweight, no be lightweight / No be lie, mo dúró kámpe / I no dey find wetin no concern me / Turbulence, I dey drop oh, Turbulence."
"See my lifestyle, èmi lóyè": Big Wiz steps in with his own REAL facts too. "Happy life with my family / I be minding my business, I no send none / We the talk on the town / We dey elevate / Never got too much to say, I no dey hear word / Turbulence."
This song is the EP intro and states the duo’s intentions clearly from the get-go: they are going to be real; they don't mind whatever turbulence it causes. In fact, they will drop the turbulence themselves. Looking critically, this has been the duo's philosophy, and it makes perfect sense why each track on this EP feels so smooth. No one held back.
The release of Turbulence was accompanied by a visually stunning video directed by Edgar Esteves and, of course, stunning wardrobe by Maria Sivyakova. Wizkid and Asake styled to reflect luxury, chic, and stunning silhouettes, perfectly accessorized. Definitely one for the books.
Vol 1, Part 2: Jogodo
Delivered as the first present from the collection, this song served as the lead single. Released on January 16th, it already made an immediate impact, becoming the highest opening-day stream for a collaboration in Spotify Nigeria history, debuting with over 1.3 million streams in its first 24 hours.
"No be today we dey jọgodo": Wizkid opens this Afrosexy track and delivers the first hook of this sweet melody. Escalawizzy follows up with his delivery through to the second verse: "Say tonight, you go dey know, know, know / Yépa, your body wanna tọ́ngọlọ́ / Baby no long talk, òṣèy, òṣèy / Ọmọ don dey dance, I dey feel am / So many things I fit show you / I dey hold you closely oh, yeah."
"Baby baby jọ̀wọ́, ọmọ Ọlọ́run, fine bobo": Ọlọ́ládé mi Asake, with too much effizy, starts tje second verse with a melody that immediately draws you in and then proceeds to kill the beat. "Me and my guys in Maybach-izzy / Skilly skilly, easy / Too much effizy, icy icy / Murder the beat." Ọlọ́ládé jẹ́ bí klíshì.
Wizkid and Asake float through this laid-back, chill beat seamlessly, and laid the expectations of what this project would deliver: Real Music.
Vol 1, Part 3: Iskolodo
Bueno, bueno... ¿y tú qué cuentas?
Now, in natural conversation for English speakers, this translates to: "Well, well... so, what's up with you?" or "Anyway... what do you have to tell me?" Well, Wizkid and Asake had a lot to tell us about what is happening, most importantly, that they are both in "Para Mode."
"Ìskòlòbò, I dey para / I dey hot, I'm on fire": Asake opens up verse 1 with high tension, delivering a beautiful melody on the incredible drums and percussions on this production. "Comot body, high tension / Big flex, money too hard / Lọ́lá Ọlọ́hun, lókè lókè / Double MM, big star / All of my guys them bad / Bo ń ṣe, ń ṣe kò má nice / Gbé sùn mọ̀ mí, no dey price." Mr Money on Para Mode.
Wizkid also enters the track in verse 2 on para mode, floating through this production, delivering an electric smooth melody with his vocals: "Big Wiz, I dey para / Ọmọ Balógun dọ̀dọ́n dàwà / Na only money elevate my mood / Everyday, I just dey my zone / Peace on my mind, every day we dey blessed/ Ordinary days, we dey feel like the best / Make you dey dance, oya jó, baby." Big Wiz on para mode.
Magicsticks, Asake, and Wizkid were on para mode with this one.
Vol 1, Part 4: Alaye!
Production: 12/10. Vocals: 10/10. This track feels like what Afrobeats is meant to sound like. The best treat saved for the last.
"Fàájì la wà repete, from the night to the morning, elélé; Wizkid opens up the track with his clear intent. Evidenced by his energy throughout the first verse into the hook: "Dance like say tomorrow no dey, baby o / Àgbádá pèlú diamonds on my neck / Aláyé want to trabáyè / Tó ná bí ti Faraday / The party no fit dull, àjẹ́! / Para dey for my body o / Balling like I'm Ronaldinho." Aláyé! Big Wiz just wants to have fun, I am sure this was definitely as fun a track to record and produce as it is to listen to.
"Ọlọ́run gbé mi ire trabáyè, ó ń chọ̀": Asake steps into the second verse delivering melodies, and clearly having fun with his verse: "Owó ni kókó ló ń sójí o / Big Wizzy na my G / Tòtórì, oya, dance now / Aláyé, do like gangster / Ó yín mọ́ mọ, baby, baddie / My baby, my melanin."
Aláyé! Asake’s melody has no competition.
Real Vol 1. Already one for the books.
Since the joint project was initially announced, there had been high anticipation for its release, but having already recorded jogodo, which was teased late last year, and previous landmark collaborations like MMS and Bad girl, nobody is surprised at the quality of this project. Wizkid and Asake are flawless on each track, each carrying their own weight, each staying true and real to their own style.
"As easy as it sounds, trust me, there is so much that goes into that," Wizkid once mentioned in a radio interview, speaking about the fact that for the Ayo album, they had like 300 songs, and only 19 made it to the official release. People seem to forget how long Wizkid has been doing this, at the highest levels of dedication to his craft and quality. He has put in the hours, the dedication, the ear for what works, this is what makes it seem so easy.
"I just dey blow, but ọmọ, I know my set"; Asake meant that when he said it in 2022, a mantra he used to describe his "overnight" success as a vision he evidently had been preparing and putting in the work for. In his come-up from theatrical arts to releasing his first official track 9 years ago, Mr Money's hunger and creative brilliance has only increased. His taste constantly elevates; he knows how much he put in to get here, and isn't slowing down anytime soon. And that perhaps is what makes this project so seamless: Big Wiz, Mr Money, two global music superstars on Para Mode. Real!
It would be incomplete to talk about Real, Vol. 1 without giving Magicsticks his well-deserved props. His fingerprints are all over the project, and his signature production; layered percussion, smooth melodies, and cohesive arrangements elevates every track.
Like 2 Kings, ILGWT, Make E No Cause Fight, Scorpion Kings, RnB, Best of Both Worlds and now REAL Vol1, afrobeats definitely need more collaborative projects, the effects on the industry are undeniably massive and net positive. Feb 14 is coming, will we get Valentine's presents too? Here’s to Vol2, Vol3… and more collaborative projects that push the culture forward.
Real Vol1. Rating: 4.9/5
Glossary
Kò sọ̀mọ̀ tí mo gbé tí ó kìn ké: I always ensure my lover is pleased.
Àpọ́mọ́lékúnjaiyé: One of who takes enjoyment in the pleasure of his lover.
Mo dúró kámpe: I remain steadfast.
Èmi lóyè: I’m the one who understands.
Jọ̀wọ́: Please. A term of endearment or polite request.
Tọ́ngọlọ́: Body movement/sway type of dance.
Òṣèy: thank you or yes! Used to hype in this context.
Jẹ́ bí kilishi: Eat it up/deliver flawlessly. Literal meaning: Eat it like beef jerkey.
Para Mode: Being in an intense, fired-up state.
Aláyé: Street-smart person/boss. Someone who knows how to navigate the streets.
Ó ń cho: "It's hitting/it's sweet." Expressing that something feels good.
Effizy: Showing off, flexing.
Comot body: To move or clear the way.
No long talk: No lengthy discussion needed. Actions speak louder than words.
I no send: I'm unbothered.
I just dey blow: I'm just rising/becoming successful.
Na my G: Is my guy/my close friend. A term of brotherhood and loyalty.
Bueno, bueno... ¿y tú qué cuentas?: Well, well... so, what's up with you?" A casual greeting asking what's new.
