"Wo" (stylized "Wo!!") is a song by Nigerian rapper Olamide. Produced by Young Jonn, it was released on 7 August 2017, through YBNL Nation, as the only single from the rapper's seventh studio album Lagos Nawa (2017).[1] Nigerian singer Wizkid considered "Wo" to be the biggest Nigerian song of 2017.[2]
| "Wo" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Olamide | ||||
| from the album Lagos Nawa | ||||
| Released | 7 August 2017 | |||
| Length | 3:03 | |||
| Label | YBNL Nation | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Olamide Adedeji | |||
| Producer(s) | Young Jonn | |||
| Olamide singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Wo" on YouTube | ||||
Reception
editIfeOluwa Nihinlola of Music in Africa noted that "Wo" marked Olamide's return to his roots as a street-focused artist, following criticism of his previous release, "Summer Body." The song was praised for its sparse, proto-fuji-inspired beat by Young Jonn and for Olamide's use of coded Yoruba lyrics that resonated deeply with his core audience. Nihinlola wrote that Olamide "sent a dog-whistle to his fans on the streets," emphasizing his enduring connection to local culture and street slang.[3]
Umar Hassan of YNaija praised "Wo" as a triumphant return to form for Olamide, describing it as "a street recipe served on an irresistible dance platter." He highlighted Olamide's skillful delivery over Young John's infectious beat and noted the song's catchy hook and widespread appeal, calling it "the safest bet for the next big hit of 2017."[4]
Composition
edit"Wo" blends traditional Nigerian sounds with contemporary hip-hop elements, showcasing Olamide's ability to merge his signature street style with modern influences. Produced by Young Jonn, the track features a hard-hitting, fast-paced beat anchored by synth piano harmonies layered over an ominous synth bassline. Chants of "Wo" punctuate the song, complementing Olamide's street-oriented lyrics and smooth delivery. The party-themed lyrics, including lines like "Oya jo bi olowo, ma lo jo bi oloshi," are crafted to energize listeners and establish the song as a staple on DJ playlists, as The Native's Debola Abimbolu stated.[1]
#WoChallenge
editThe #WoChallenge was initiated by Olamide to engage his fans and reward standout dancers who participated in the dance challenge for his single "Wo." Initially, the challenge offered a ₦1 million prize for the best dancer, but as the number of entries grew, Olamide decided to increase the prize pool to ₦3 million, offering ₦1 million each to three winners. The first winner, Ogundeji Azeez Ayobami, was presented with a cheque for ₦1 million. Olamide expressed his appreciation for the dancers' contributions, which he believed played a key role in the challenge's success. The challenge became widely popular, with many dancers showcasing their skills on Instagram.[5]
Music video
editThe music video for "Wo," directed by Unlimited L.A, was filmed in Bariga, Olamide's native city, and released shortly after the song's debut. Showcasing the street culture of Bariga, the video featured dance performances by winners of the #WoChallenge, a social media competition initiated by Olamide, who promised ₦1 million to three standout participants. The video reached over one million views on YouTube within a week, with Olamide expressing gratitude to fans for their support. However, it drew criticism from the Federal Ministry of Health for allegedly promoting tobacco use in violation of the Nigerian Tobacco Control Act of 2015. Olamide denied the allegations, stating on Twitter that he had no intention of encouraging tobacco use. Young Jonn, the song's producer, made a cameo appearance in the video.[6][7]
Impact
edit"Wo" played a major role in popularizing the Shaku Shaku dance, which originated in the streets of Agege. Olamide was one of the first major artists to feature the dance in his music video, contributing to its viral spread. With over 15 million views on YouTube within five months, the song helped propel the dance from a street movement to mainstream success.[8]
Nigerian singer Wizkid declared "Wo" as the biggest Nigerian song of 2017, via his social media on 2 October 2017.[2] Additionally, American rapper and producer Swizz Beatz posted a video of him dancing to the song on his Instagram.[9]
Accolades
edit| Organization | Year | Category | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Headies | 2018 | Best Street-Hop Artiste | Nominated | [10] |
| The Headies | 2018 | Song of the Year | Nominated | [10] |
Personnel
edit- Olamide Adedeji - vocals, songwriting
- Young Jonn - production
Release history
edit| Region | Date | Format | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 7 August 2017 | Digital download | YBNL Nation |
References
edit- ^ a b Abimbolu, Debola (7 August 2017). "Olamide gets back his street flair on new single, "Wo"". The Native. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Olamide's Wo Is Biggest Naija Song - Wizkid". P.M. News. 2 October 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Nihinlola, IfeOluwa (31 August 2017). "Wo!! is Olamide's call to the streets". Music in Africa. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Hassan, Umar (13 August 2017). "Music Review: Olamide gets everything right with Wo!". YNaija. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ "WoChallenge: Olamide splashes N1m on fan". Nigerian Tribune. 13 August 2017. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Sokunbi, Toye (21 August 2017). "Best New Music: #StreetTakover2017 gets off to a late-start with Olamide's "Wo"". The Native. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Oluwagbemi, Ayodele (24 August 2017). "Olamide thanks fans for one million views of 'WO' on YouTube". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Onyekwena, Chiagoziem (27 January 2018). "Shaku Shaku: The origin and enablers of the viral street dance". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Grace, Ihesiuola (7 September 2017). "Video: Swizz Beatz Dances To Olamide's 'Wo'". Daily Times. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ a b Bassey, Ben (13 April 2019). "Davido, Wizkid, Simi lead nominees list". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 17 November 2024.