By Ikenna Obioha
From Asake to Niniola, more and more Nigerian acts now lean towards Afro-fusion. This musical alchemy allows them the liberty to effortlessly blend other African music genres with Nigerian music genres such as fuji and Afrobeats, to deliver earworms.
Relying on this technique, the Amapiano genre has spread like a wildfire through the continent and beyond. The latest act to join in the trend of expanding its reach through fusion is the fast rising artiste, Gbadebo Oluwafemi Anthony popularly known as Undisputed DJ Wallace.
To be sure, Undisputed DJ Wallace is not entirely new to the music scene. He kicked off his professional career in 2012 and marked his decade-long career with the release of ‘A Decade’, an Extended Play (EP) comprising four tracks, on which he collaborated with vocal powerhouse, Raybekah on ‘Wonda’ in 2022. The EP also features Nigerian act, Tirri, US-based Dillz, and UK-based Milly Sushi and Rhook Castle.
‘Jaye (Flex)’ is a standalone single, and one of the few tracks he released earlier this year alongside ‘Tag’, to lengthen his growing discography that is yet to produce a studio album. With a consistent mid-tempo baseline built on a deep, resonant synth, the track is marked by a thumping beat that creates a pronounced pulse and groovy melody throughout its run. In short, it grabs attention from the get-go.
The established calm of the instrumentation is further complemented by the opening lines from DJ Wallace, who, although sounds collected, evinces bravado with the lines “anywhere we show, is a shut down.” But while he plays the Mayor of the city, he is preceded by Cerro Muziq, a fierce female figure, who carries the track with her strong, black feminine energy.
A mix of pidgin English, Yoruba and South African vernacular, the lyrics speak to the carefree spirit that marks the evening soiree, thus capturing the essence of the track’s title. This reflection, too, is captured in the melodic sing-rap of Cerro that stings with the venom of rebellion and explosive expletives.
With a stage set for a union of two African countries to unite in a dance-off, the recently released video further accentuates the creative direction behind ‘Jaye (Flex)’.
Colourful with a burst of youthful exuberance, the young lasses and lads dressed in the latest fashion show-off well-choreographed dance moves, showcasing the different dance styles, including vosho, dikiwe and zanku (leg work).
Evidently, the track was engineered to capture the high spirits of the dance hall, and Undisputed DJ Wallace executes this with razor-sharp precision. He must be commended on sourcing and teaming up with a South African native, as her contributions impact a high level of authenticity on the track.
‘Jaye (Flex)’ will do well in the clubs, opening more windows of opportunity for the alumnus of Sheffield Hallam University, UK, as he continues in his quest to conquer the music landscape in Nigeria and beyond.