Taiwo Michael Oloyede
Few artists command the kind of global reverence that Wizkid does. Over the years, he has honed a signature sound—effortlessly smooth, dance-inducing, and rooted in Afrobeat’s fluidity. With Kese, a standout track from his Morayo album, Wizkid leans into what he knows best: stripped-down production, velvety melodies, and an understated, yet hypnotic rhythm. But while Kese is an undeniably infectious track, does it push boundaries, or does it merely reinforce an already perfected formula?
At its core, Kese is a groove. The song is designed to get listeners moving, fusing Afrobeat percussion with a sultry, mid-tempo bounce. The production is minimal yet immersive, giving Wizkid’s voice ample space to weave in and out of the rhythm like an instrument in its own right. There’s an intentional looseness to the way he delivers his lyrics—his signature murmured delivery is in full effect, adding to the song’s hypnotic quality.
But while the beat is irresistibly smooth, Kese doesn’t necessarily introduce anything we haven’t heard from Wizkid before. The track sits comfortably in his sonic universe, reminiscent of his Made in Lagos era, where mood and atmosphere took precedence over complexity or experimentation.
One recurring critique of Wizkid’s recent releases is that his lyricism, while effective, tends to lean into familiarity rather than innovation. Kese follows this trend. It thrives on repetition, with lyrics that emphasize feel-good vibes over storytelling or depth. This isn’t inherently a flaw—some of the greatest Afrobeat songs succeed by prioritizing rhythm and energy over poetic complexity—but for an artist of Wizkid’s stature, listeners may expect a bit more variance in themes and delivery.
That said, Kese excels in what it sets out to do: create a fluid, immersive soundscape where words function less as individual statements and more as rhythmic enhancements to the instrumental. In that sense, Wizkid once again proves his mastery in making music that is as much about feeling as it is about meaning.
Wizkid’s ability to sustain relevance across different eras of Afrobeats is a testament to his artistry. However, Kese raises a question about artistic evolution. While it fits seamlessly into his catalog, it doesn’t push his sound in any new direction. Compared to his past reinventions—from the streetwise energy of Superstar to the global fluidity of Sounds from the Other Side—Kese feels more like a continuation than a transformation.
For fans who crave Wizkid’s signature sound, this song is a win. But for those who hope to see him break new ground, Kese may feel like an exercise in playing it safe. That said, not every track needs to be a reinvention—sometimes, delivering what an artist does best is enough. And in that regard, Kese does exactly what it was intended to do: keep the world dancing.
