In a move that has sent ripples of excitement through the African music industry, Afrobeats superstars Wizkid and Asake have officially announced their first collaborative extended play, titled ‘Real Vol. 1’ , set for release later this month.
The 35-year-old Grammy-winning artist Ayodeji “Wizkid” Balogun and rising star Ahmed “Asake” Ololade made the announcement during an Apple Music Radio takeover interview on Friday, with details shared across the platform’s social media channels.
“Special announcement: 2025, clear road. Mr Money and Big Wiz, our project is called ‘Real’, and it will be released this December for the people. One time, Vol. 1,” Wizkid declared during the interview, using Asake’s popular moniker “Mr Money” alongside his own stage name.
The announcement comes at a pivotal moment for both artists, who have been riding waves of commercial and critical success in recent years. Wizkid, a veteran of the Afrobeats movement with over a decade of international acclaim, is joining forces with Asake, whose meteoric rise has positioned him as one of the genre’s most exciting contemporary voices.
To whet fans’ appetites, Nigerian-American DJ Michael “DJ Tunez” Adeyinka shared a preview of one of the EP’s tracks on Friday. The song, titled ‘Jogodo’, offers a tantalizing glimpse into what listeners can expect from the collaboration.
The snippet showcases both artists’ distinctive styles, with Asake delivering characteristically smooth Yoruba vocals before Wizkid enters with a verse that playfully references the track’s title—a nod to the potent local spirit ogogoro—suggesting they are “trying to kill him with alcohol.”
The preview has already generated significant buzz on social media, with fans dissecting every lyric and melody ahead of the full release.
While ‘Real Vol. 1’ represents the duo’s first joint EP, this is not their inaugural collaboration. The two artists previously joined forces on ‘MMS’, a standout single from Asake’s third studio album, ‘Lungu Boy’, which dropped on October 5, 2024.
That album demonstrated Asake’s ambition to position himself on the global stage, featuring an impressive roster of international collaborators including American rapper Travis Scott, British grime artists Stormzy and Central Cee, and Brazilian singer Ludmilla. The project successfully blended traditional Afrobeats elements with diverse global sounds, further cementing Asake’s reputation as an artist unafraid to push genre boundaries.
The mutual admiration between the two artists has been evident for some time. In a now-deleted Instagram Story post, Wizkid previously named Asake among his favorite Nigerian artists, alongside Rema, Odumodublvck, Bloody Civilian, and Shallipopi. He described them collectively as “superstars,” with a special acknowledgment for Shallipopi.
The designation “Vol. 1” in the EP’s title suggests that this may be the first installment in a series of collaborative projects, potentially signaling a long-term creative partnership between the two artists. This strategic approach to releasing music in volumes has become increasingly popular in contemporary Afrobeats, allowing artists to maintain momentum and keep fans engaged over extended periods.
Industry observers are watching closely to see how this collaboration might influence the broader Afrobeats landscape. Wizkid’s established international profile combined with Asake’s fresh energy and innovative approach could produce a project that appeals to both longtime fans and new listeners discovering the genre.
As December unfolds, anticipation continues to build for ‘Real Vol. 1’, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be one of the year’s most significant Afrobeats releases. The collaboration represents not just a meeting of two talents, but a symbolic passing of the torch and a strengthening of the creative community that continues to drive Afrobeats to new global heights.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Afrobeats heavyweights Wizkid and Asake are dropping their first collaborative EP, ‘Real Vol. 1’, this December—a major moment that unites one of the genre’s established global icons with its hottest rising star.
The project promises to blend Wizkid’s veteran craft with Asake’s fresh, innovative sound, potentially delivering one of the year’s most significant Afrobeats releases. With a preview track ‘Jogodo’ already creating buzz and the “Vol. 1” label hinting at more collaborations to come, this partnership signals both a creative milestone and a strengthening of the Afrobeats movement on the world stage.
