Wizkid is playing in the big league – being able to get French Montana, Chris Brown and Trey Songz on one song is no small matter for an artiste in the US, never mind one who got his start from Lagos, Nigeria.
Chris Brown dropped off a version of “Shabba” on Thursday which featured Wizkid, Hoody Baby and Section Boyz but yesterday, Wizkid delivered what he calls the “official version” of the record. On this version, Wizkid takes on hook duties, while each of his illustrious guests takes a verse.
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She got me blowing trees like shabba
Something like shabba
Bounce to the beat like shabba
Something like shabba
10 gold rings like shabba, yeah
Something like shabba
The tune has the potential to become one of the anthems of the summer but until that happens, let’s talk about a number of things about “Shabba” you shouldn’t overlook.
1. What is a “Shabba”?
Shabba = Shabba Ranks.
If you’re a bit older, you’d take it for granted that so many can’t make that simple connection. I just realized that Shabba Ranks is 50 years old this year, and his music and cultural impact predates many of Wizkid’s younger fans, even I became aware of him when he was a faded force.
Shabba Ranks was arguably the biggest dancehall act of the late 80’s and early 90’s. The gravel toned voice that he used to rap, rather than sing, over dancehall beats made him stand out from other performers of his generation. His biggest single was the reggae fusion “Mr. Loverman”, which immortalized the cry “Shabba!” in music culture; a cry that Wizkid has now built his star-studded single around.
Information you absolutely positively don’t need to know – Shabba is a name for a female used in some Islamic countries. It refers to an Arabic word ( ????,??? ) that could be interpreted to mean “young” and can also be used to refer to a beautiful thing.
2. But why Shabba Ranks though?
Shabba Ranks hasn’t released an album in forever and has since settled into a normal family life in New York, but the man’s iconic image – under-the-bed dark skin and bold facial features, flamboyant music videos and over-the-top gold jewelry – means he’s still a topic of discussion in music and fashion today. Rapper A$AP Ferg re-introduced the dancehall superstar to a new generation in 2013 when he paid homage to him on his hit single “Shabba”.
Shabba Ranks in A$AP Ferg’s “Shabba” Video (YouTube)
Ranks made a cameo in the video, and time will tell whether Wizkid will be able to pull that off too when it comes time to shoot the video for his own homage to the Jamaican. But this isn’t the first time the Nigerian superstar is referencing the man in his music.
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On “Number One Lover”, which was released two years ago as the second single off the Star Boy compilation album (that has probably taken a backseat with the rise of its head honcho) Wizkid goes –
Just like Shabba
Everyday, girl I’m getting rabba
Six gold chains like I’m Shabba
Eight gold rings like the Don Dada (like the Don dada)
3. Mike Will Made It
MikeWillMadeIt (Vibe)
Wizkid has developed quite the roster at Star Boy Music, including veteran South African producer DJ Maphorisa and Grade A Nigerian producers Legendury Beats and SARZ, whom Seyi Shay says produced “One Dance” and whom the album credits say produced “One Dance” respectively. But neither of them seem to have worked with Mike Will Made It on this new tune; well, we won’t know for certain until we see the credits. Mike Will is the guy behind Beyoncé’s “Formation” record and was also behind some of the biggest hip-hop and R&B songs between 2011 and 2014, but he’s actually been very selective of whom he works with of late. So partnering up with Wizzy is another indication of just how highly the Nigerian is regarded in certain parts. At the peak of his powers, Mike Will commanded a fee of between $75,000 and $100,000 per beat.
4. Star Boy Music Company
No one quite knows Wizkid’s label situation and the superstar doesn’t necessarily want you to either.
I don’t need to explain my business to no one! Listen to my music and enjoy. Just know we getting cheques though!
Wizkid (Twitter), 2016
Unfortunately, times have changed and more people are intrigued by the business side of the music business than ever before, and artistes such as Wizkid and Skales might have to get used to it. In this article, I advocated that Wizkid aligns with a major corporation because going the independent route will narrow his sound and acceptance in the States. I still believe he needs that leverage to make audiences in the US march to the beat of his own drum, whether that beat be Afrobeat or Afropop or whatever he might want to call it.
There’s already a worry that Wizkid’s sound is being lumped into the Carribean music category, worries that won’t be helped by the release of a summertime tune titled “Shabba” with a dancehall vibe. That said, I have a hunch that Star Boy has already partnered up with Apple through Drake’s association with the company. Wizzy’s last single with DJ Henry X was released first through Drake’s OVO Sound radio show and then “Shabba” was released for sale first through Apple’s platforms.
5. Different versions
We suspect Chris Brown released this record before it was go-time and this wasn’t the roll out Wizkid and co had planned. As I said earlier, a different version of “Shabba” arrived Thursday on Chris Brown’s SoundCloud. Neither Trey Songz nor French was on that one; instead, Wiz and Breezy were joined by Hoody Baby of Brown’s Original Hood Bosses crew as well as the Section Boyz, a 6-member rap group from South London. However, Wizkid maintains that this version is the official “Shabba,” so no prizes for guessing whose side we’re on.