The Pick: Olamide & Wande Coal combine to create magic on "Hate Me"
Our Song Of The Week!
Olamide’s credentials as a hitmaker is firmly unassailable. In fact, since his stream-of-consciousness hit single “Eni Duro” from 2010, he’s arguably been the most potent hitmaker in the country to this day. His extensive discography ー which comprises of 9 solo studio albums, 2 collaboration tapes and 1 EP ー is packed full of hits that have dominated several local charts and have soundtracked parties, festivals, social gatherings and much more over the past decade.
Even though he’s cemented his place ー for a while now ー as one of the greatest artists ever from these parts, he still works like an up-and-comer vying for a seat in the green rooms of the mainstream. Since the release of Rapsodi, his 2011 debut album, he’s released at least one project every year barring just two ー 2018 and 2019. Not only does he deliver with an expeditious frequency, but he’s also ever-changing, expanding his musical palette while also touching base with different sonic trends, styles and genres. That’s why his latest single, the Thriller-esque “Hate Me” doesn’t come as a surprise, at least sonically. He has proven time and time again to be incredibly fluid and dynamic. What’s however slightly surprising is that Olamide doesn’t get bested on many tracks; there are only a handful of people that can outshine him on a record. But if there’s one person you can put your money on, it’s the featured artist, the Black Diamond himself, Wande Coal.
Wande Coal, like Olamide, is also a certified hitmaker. He arguably revolutionalized pop music in this country, laying the blueprint for a lot of the acts that came after him, while releasing some of the most iconic records this country has ever heard along the way. But while his best days might be behind him, as he’s more of a mercurial singer at the moment, he’s still more than capable of delivering a show-stopping performance and that’s exactly what he does on “Hate Me”. Here, the 36-year-old vocalist employs a high-pitched inflection reminiscent of legendary pop singer Michael Jackson, floating over P.Prime’s thumping percussion with immense finesse. From the first “She ain’t worth it / I don’t think that she’s worth it” you know this is Super Saiyan Wande. He hasn’t sounded this good in a hot minute.
While Olamide takes the back burner here, he delivers two compelling verses in usual fashion, keeping “Hate Me” incredibly refreshing, vibrant and fit for any dance floor.
