Wizkid has become everything pundits predicted Wande Coal would be: serial hit maker, most wanted collaborator from Nigeria, brand darling, big money maker, and what have you.
But while Wizzy is hugging global fame and pulling down every barrier, Wande Coal, an equally amazing pop star, is stuck where no one wants to be: right in the middle of his game, banking on old glory and hits, and sliding rapidly into oblivion.
Wande Coal, truth be told, did not aspire to be a major musician, until a chance meeting with then Mohits leaders D’banj and Don Jazzy changed his life. He soon moved from a wannabe dancer to a top five hit maker, working with Jazzy and the Mohits team to deliver the unbelievable hits ‘Bumper to Bumper’, ‘Ololofe’, ‘Taboo’, ‘You Bad’, ‘Pere’, and more.
READ: Wande Coal reunites with D’banj on ‘Koko Tour’
But the label that made him also laid the foundation for his downfall. His projects suffered avoidable delays, his image dented by avoidable scandals, and his career paid the price. When it was time to pick all up and rebuild, his bosses had become consumed by a big fight that consumed the label. Wande took sides and left with Don Jazzy to form Mavin Records where he released at least three singles.
Mavins is where pundits expected his career to shape up again; where he was to hug success again and snatch his place at the top. But he was soon insulting Don Jazzy on Twitter, walking out on the label, and taking his career in his own hands.
What he forgot to take, perhaps, was the support of fans loyal to Jazzy and Mavins; the support of those he lost when he sided with Jazzy against D’banj. What he forgot to take was the A&R and publicity structure at Mavins and Mohits.
READ: One year after parting ways with Bankulli, Wande Coal signs new management deal
Just like when his naked photo was leaked on the internet, the gifted singer was naked again. Only this time, it doesn’t appear he has anyone to cover him up and bury the shame.
D’banj and Don Jazzy slowed down his fame and earnings when they delayed his projects at Mohits; his image was damaged when he entered one scandal after the other, but what has kept this talented singer down for the past three years; what has prevented him from taking all he deserves, is not just the fault of his mentors or the media.
He will have to not want to be irrelevant any longer. He will have to understand how much music and media have changed since his first single in 2006. He will have to look backwards to go forwards, to make sure when he does drop another body of work again, it doesn’t go to waste, like Wanted.
And he has to do it now.
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