Justin Skye, Wizkid score a slow burning victory on ‘U don’t know’

jonathan

September 9, 2016 3:16 PM

You Need To Hear This if the rise and fall of a signature Dancehall beat your thing, and also because of the brand victories that the song holds for all the collaborators.

Justin Skye - U don't know ft Wizkid

It’s another month, and Wizkid is on a major US release. This time, it’s no Drake, or Tinie Tempah, with their millions of fans. But a more humble story. Justine Skye, his new collaborator left Atlantic Records earlier this year, and pitched tent with Jay Z’s ROC Nation (where Tiwa Savage got an international deal this year).

The duo have campaigned and generated anticipation for the song, as photos flooded Instagram, and interviews were granted to plug her into the news and get the media talking. That has worked thus far. A significant portion of Nigerian music enthusiasts now know the lady with the purple hue in her hair. They might not support the music, or go on a downloading spree of her content, but sure, a couple have chased after her, and streamed her works, just to be in the know.

But this one will be listened. Collaborating with Wizkid is a strategic move to swell her fanbase and increase her reach. Wizkid is the biggest artiste from Africa, who is currently working at taking his music global. This year, his efforts on ‘One Dance’ have been well-documented and celebrated, with rumors of an international deal looming over the singer.

The new song ‘U don’t know’ arrives today (Friday, September 9, 2016), after being rumored to be responsible for the postponement of Davido’s debut Sony Music single, ‘How long’, featuring another US female singer, Tinashe.

What’s in ‘U don’t know’? A great voice, with lyrics to get you moving. Justine Skye is a wonderful singer, with a great voice that shines through this pop-construct, and lends itself to your ears. There are synths to match, an opening violin progression that forms the defining sound of the single. It is interspersed with a bouncy dancehall beat to align it with the rising Afro-Caribbean wave that is becoming a signature of the underground dancehall movement of night clubs, and is catching on, thanks to stars such as Drake, Justin Bieber, and Alicia Keys.

Wizkid’s efforts are minimal, but strategic. The singer comes in for a third verse, where he adds a needed masculine and vocal balance to the product. His verse reads:

"If you wanna leave, my girl, you better leave

I really got a lot to offer, please

She said she stay, I begged her mother, please

I got your message, baby, don't repeat

I know your body more [?]

You [?] baby don't believe

Cause all we have is never meant to be

No disrespect, but you set the tone"

They both harmonize for the prechorus and hit a climax in the chorus.

You Need To Hear This if the rise and fall of a signature Dancehall beat your thing, and also because of the brand victories that the song holds for all the collaborators. Wizkid scores more penetration, while Justine gets a pop single to give her a boost at ROC Nation.

jonathan