Come December, Wizkid is gonna have another Made in Lagos Concert, a mega party, probably at the Eko Hotel & Suites’ hall.
And there’s going to be a huge line-up of artists. Some are going to perform, some will just make appearances and the concert may even unveil new artists. Younglings like Terri, Ceeza Milli who have been co-signed by the StarBoy will probably have the stage for a while, and then some other guys, Chidokeyz, Mystro, many of them. Even Slimcase, yeah. Probably because sometimes last year Wizkid had a collaboration with the “Oshozondi” singer.
But Zlatan Ibile has been the rave of the moment for a while now, and does it look like he’s ever going to get a slot at Wizkid’s show, or on his album or whatever? No, most likely not. For now, the odds are low, though. And why is it simple.
Wizkid is a Star, we all know that and he got the sauce. Not just a star, but a Legend in his own right. After almost a decade as one of the best artists, in the whole of Africa, Wiz hasn’t been the kind to do an unnecessary collaboration. Not in the past, not now, nor ever. He’s either doing some major shit for his body of works (“Jaiye Jaiye”), or he’s doing stuff for the culture (“Kana”) or he’s helping out some upcoming guy perfect his work (“Fibadi”.) Anyway that comes, it’s as simple as, if “Gucci Snake” wasn’t needed, there’s no need for doing it in the first place. But at that time, street music could really use some co-sign from some big guy like Wiz. And it upped Slimcase‘s career big time.
Zlatan Ibile, on the other hand, as we all know is a prophet on the streets. He does his thing like he’s here to stay, also doing big time (and also small-time) collaboration in the process. From Davido (“Bum Bum”) to Burna Boy (“Killin Dem”) to Naira Marley (“Am I a Yahoo Boy”) to Tiwa Savage (“Shotan”), some of his biggest hits to date are with some really big guys in this industry. And we’re not even talking about the stuff he’s doing with ’em Zinoleesky’s. He’s got energy and he shares that energy.
Nonetheless, there is a regular pattern to all this stuff. Zlatan Ibile works with top producer Rexxie, who has made some of the biggest jams this year. On “Able God”, there was Chinko Ekun, Lil Kesh and Zlatan. So months after, Lil Kesh is down with Olamide on “Logo Benz”, produced by your boy, Rexxie. Weeks later, Rexxie did “Bum Bum” a sort of DMW stuff which had Zlatan and Davido. And somehow months after, Mayorkun (a DMW art) landed on a jam with Lil Kesh. Naira Marley is Zlatan Ibile’s frequent collaborator and they usually have Rex do their jobs. And it goes on and on and on!
But Wizkid would never fit in, anyhow we position it. He’s not working with Rexxie (Killertunes is the way to go.) And he’s certainly not a close ally to the DMW family or Lil Kesh? Nah. So if Wizkid were to do something with Zlatan Ibile, how on earth would that even happen?
Who knows, anyway. Kel P may decide to put Wizkid, Burna Boy and Zlatan Ibile, on the same jam. Until then, I don’t think anyone should get their hopes up!