Singer’s romance with DJ Maphorisa needs more than just singles

There’s no reason why DJ Maphorisa’s romance with Wizkid will no yield more than just loose singles that are scattered across different projects. The relationship between the pair is a winning one. They have very little released content, but a lot of wins.

The duo collaborated in the continental smash hit song, Soweto Baby, before joining hands to work on the phenomenal single called ‘One Dance’.

That single, which was featured on Drake’s “Views” album, and carried with it a conquering wave to all parts of the world, has already reaped huge benefits for Wizkid’s career. It is that wave that has maintained his position at the top of African music, while seeing him push through glass ceilings to deliver our local content in different markets.

“I was recording Wiz when they sent [the files],” Maphorisa told Genius, referring to Wizkid’s background vocals on the song. “There was nothing really there. We started working on it—I added some production.”

Maphorisa said they finished “One Dance” in only a week—it’s one of four tracks they recorded. He says “One Dance” is blowing up in Mzansi and that it best sums up Drake’s sonic ambitions.

“He’s making other artists be aware of other sounds, to be out of the box, not to do the same thing all the way. Also for him, he’s challenged ’cause now he’s not in a comfortable space that he can just do what he’s supposed to do. Be different and come up with new things.”

Wizkid and DJ Maphorisa first officially worked together on the hit song ‘In my bed’, which is housed on the singer’s sophomore studio album “Ayo (Joy)”. The song which is driven by Maphoria’s muscular signature House beat, and laced with Wizkid’s vocals, was the start of a fruitful relationship. ‘In my bed’ Uhuru, a four-man South African group that includes Maphorisa, producer DJ Clap, pianist Mapiano, and vocalist Xeli. After the song gained traction, Wizkid sent him more tracks.

They have since been able to collaborate on an international level, with Wizkid providing him with connections with international music makers including Chris Brown, Jermaine Dupri, and Jidenna. As for Drake, there are still three more songs featuring Wizkid and the US pop star.

Recently, the duo have released another collaboration titled ‘Good love’. A languid, syrupy, trap-influenced romantic number reveals another dimension to their collaboration. They have made straight-up dance music, now they are digging deeper to reveal other genres.

The skill level of DJ Maphorisa and WIkzid need not be limited to just singles. They need more than release solo songs that are loosely attached to their individual projects. What is befitting of such a trans-national creative relationship is a project. And EP that harnesses all of their influences and distils them into a body of work to mark time, give fans more content, and ultimately make money for both acts.

We have seen this collaboration bear fruit in many ways. DJ Esco and Future blew hot on 2016’s “Esco Terrestrial.” This model works and will continue to work, provided both parties show effort to make it happen. DJ Maphorisa and Wizkid are just too talented to let this collaboration be limited. A full project will be welcome.