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Real, Vol. 1

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Real, Vol. 1
EP by
Released23 January 2026
Genre
Length10:46
Label
Producer
Wizkid chronology
Morayo
(2024)
Real, Vol. 1
(2026)
Asake chronology
Lungu Boy
(2024)
Real, Vol. 1
(2026)
Singles from Real, Vol. 1
  1. "Jogodo"
    Released: 16 January 2026

Real, Vol. 1 is a collaborative EP by Nigerian singers Wizkid and Asake. It was released on 23 January 2026, by the former's label Starboy Entertainment, the latter's Giran Republic, and Empire Distribution. The EP's production was primarily handled by Magicsticks, with assistance from 4Tunes and LOL.[1] Real, Vol. 1 received mixed reviews from music critics, who praised its production and their chemistry but criticized its songwriting depth and predictable structure.

Background

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The pair had previously worked together on "MMS" from Asake's 2024 album Lungu Boy and "Bad Girl" from Wizkid's 2024 project Morayo, which helped raise anticipation for a full joint release.[2][3] Prior to the EP's release, Wizkid and Asake also shared live performance spaces, including Asake's Red Bull Symphonic concert in Brooklyn in 2025. Wizkid first announced Real, Vol. 1 during an Apple Music Takeover in late 2025, with plans for a December release that was later postponed, leading to reactions from fans on X following the delay.[4]

Singles

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On 16 January 2026, Wizkid and Asake released "Jogodo" as the EP's lead single. Produced by Magicsticks, the song was released alongside the unveiling of the EP's cover art and tracklist.[5] The track blends Afrobeats with percussion and brass elements and is sung primarily in Nigerian Pidgin, centering on the theme of intoxication or being under the influence.[6][7] Tšeliso Monaheng of OkayAfrica characterized "Jogodo" as "a conversation between two friends assured of their talents, comfortable enough to test the outer limits of their artistry in each other's presence." He added that the track, produced by Magicsticks, "taps into the percussive drive of amapiano to create something magnetic, a groove laced with soul-stirring momentum," and called it "a moment in time that feels destined to inform what comes next."[8] Omotoyosi Idowu of Premium Times gave "Jogodo" a 7/10, calling it a blend of smooth harmonies and solid beats. He said Wizkid and Asake send "an affectionate message to a lover," with erotic lyrics expressing desire, while praising Wizkid's steady vocals and Asake's use of local dialects. He also said that the song sexualizes women's bodies but described the overall sound as balanced and enjoyable.[9]

Composition

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Real, Vol. 1 is an Afrobeats EP that incorporates elements of amapiano, Afro-Cuban jazz, Latin pop, and Afro-house, featuring percussion, brass, and log-drums.[9] The opener, "Turbulence," has a mid-tempo groove with Asake delivering reflective verses and Wizkid providing melodic vocals.[2][9] "Jogodo" is sung in Nigerian Pidgin and addresses themes of love, desire, and assurance. The track features pulsing percussion, brass, and log-drums, with alternating vocals from Wizkid and Asake.[9][8][7] "Iskolodo" contains horn and string arrangements with Afro-Cuban and Latin influences. It has a call-and-response structure and lyrics that focus on confidence, fame, and wealth.[10][2][9] The closing track, "Alaye", is a party-oriented song with log-drums, synths, and Afro-house elements, describing celebrations, fashion, and luxury.[2][9]

Critical reception

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Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Premium Times5/10[9]
The Native6.4/10[11]
Afrocritik6.5/10[2]
Pulse Nigeria7.0/10[12]

Real, Vol. 1 was met with mixed reception from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Adeayo Adebiyi said that Real, Vol. 1 stayed within Wizkid's familiar sound, noting that there was "no disappointment in the expected" and concluding that the EP was "sufficiently enjoyable" despite unmet expectations, rating it 7.0 out of 10.[12] Abioye Damilare Samson, a writer for the Nigerian music website Afrocritik, thought that while the collaboration carried cultural weight, it fell short musically, saying the EP "breaks little new ground for a marquee collaboration of this calibre" and concluding that it should "push boundaries, challenge conventions, and showcase artistic growth" and it "doesn't quite do that," rating it 6.5 out of 10.[2]

Boluwatife Adeyemi of The Native wrote that Real, Vol. 1 leaned on history and friendship rather than risk, saying "this palpable personal chemistry has not fully resulted in a resonant musical synergy," calling "Jogodo" a "passable tune," and concluding that the EP felt like "a satisfying cross-generational dialogue that's indisputably authentic to the genre," rating it 6.4 out of 10.[11] Omotoyosi Idowu of Premium Times said that the album met surface expectations but lacked depth, explaining that the EP "lacks profound lyricism or exceptional songwriting" and concluding that "the total output of their first collaboration falls short of expectations," rating it 5 out of 10.[13]

Track listing

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Real, Vol. 1 track listing
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Turbulence"2:25
2."Jogodo"
  • Balogun
  • Ololade
Magicsticks3:08
3."Iskolodo"
  • Balogun
  • Ololade
  • Magicsticks
  • LOL
2:36
4."Alaye"
  • Balogun
  • Ololade
Magicsticks2:35
Total length:10:46

Personnel

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  • Ayodeji "Wizkid" Balogun – vocals, writing
  • Ahmed "Asake" Ololade – vocals, writing
  • Magicsticks – production, mixing, mastering (1–4)
  • 4Tunes – production (1)
  • LOL – production (3)
  • Liz Robson - recording (1–4)
  • Nick Cavalieri – mixing (1–4)
  • Aidan Duncan – recording (1)

Charts

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Chart (2026) Peak
position
Nigerian Albums (TurnTable)[14] 1

Release history

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Release history and formats for Real, Vol. 1
Region Date Format Label
Worldwide 1 September 2023

References

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  1. ^ Grant, Shawn (23 January 2026). "Wizkid and Asake Release Long-Awaited Collaborative EP REAL, Vol. 1". The Source. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Samson, Abioye Damilare (28 January 2026). "Real, Vol. 1 Review: Wizkid and Asake's Joint EP Falls Short of Its Monumental Potential". Afrocritik. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  3. ^ Medithi, Vivian (23 January 2026). "Wizkid and Asake heat up the winter with REAL, Vol. 1". The Fader. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  4. ^ "Wizkid And Asake Drop Their First Full Collaboration REAL (VOL. 1)". HipTV. 23 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  5. ^ Fofana, Oumou (16 January 2026). "Wizkid and Asake fuel joint EP anticipation with "Jogodo," track list and date reveal". Revolt. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  6. ^ "Wizkid and Asake release new collaborative single Jogodo". Music in Africa. 16 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  7. ^ a b "Wizkid and Asake Set the Tone with 'Jogodo,' a Smooth Prelude to REAL, Vol. 1". New Wave Magazine. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  8. ^ a b Monaheng, Tšeliso (16 January 2026). "The Top African Songs You Need to Hear This Week: January 16, 2026". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g Idowu, Omotoyosi (18 January 2026). "MUSIC REVIEW: Wizkid, Asake's 'Jogodo' is catchy, chart-ready, but comfortably familiar". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 18 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  10. ^ C.J., Nelson (30 January 2026). "The Best West African Songs Right Now". OkayAfrica. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  11. ^ a b Adeyemi, Boluwatife (23 January 2026). "Review: REAL, Vol 1 by Wizkid and Asake". The Native. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b Adebiyi, Adeayo (26 January 2026). "There's No Disappointment in the Expected: The Short Story of Real Vol 1". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  13. ^ Idowu, Omotoyosi (23 January 2026). "ALBUM REVIEW: Wizkid and Asake deliver vibes, not depth, on REAL Vol. 1". The Native. Archived from the original on 23 January 2026. Retrieved 31 January 2026.
  14. ^ "Official Top 100 Albums: January 23rd, 2026 - January 29th, 2026". TurnTable. Archived from the original on February 11, 2026. Retrieved February 11, 2026.