Wande Coal credits D’banj with ‘breaking down the doors’ for global success

From ‘Bumper To Bumper’ to ‘Baby Hello, ‘Iskaba’ and now ‘So Mi So’, Wande Coal is a man whose catalogue contain multitude number of hit records.

The singer who recently headlined his debut UK concert at the Indigo at the O2 London Arena on Sunday, November 11, 2018 has proven overtime to indeed be the black diamond of the industry, shining ever so bright through different eras.

Days leading to the concert, Wande Coal stopped by TimWestwood TV for an interview with the prolific disc jockey, Tim Westwood, where he discussed his days at Mo Hits, the impact of D’banj on Afrobeats, his relationship with Burna Boy and upcoming projects

Wande Coal has recently made the UK his home, spending more time there than in Nigeria and working with a number of UK producers like Juls who they teamed up on the hit single, ‘So Mi So’ and the recently released ‘Sister Girl.’  When asked where this new sound and influences is leading to, Wande replied,

”It is taking me to another level where I am going to be dropping an EP next year that will be distributed by an American company and I am excited about that.”

Speaking on the global rise of Afrobeat and the role played by D’banj, Wande says

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqHhanXBeb_/?utm_source=ig_embed

”I’m glad that right now, it’s easy now in terms of the collaborations. You have Wizkidcollaborating with Drake, you have Davido with Meek [Mill], it is a norm now… D’banj did a lot breaking down the doors, creating the connections.”

He then went further to acknowledge the older artists who have influenced his music, ”I pay tribute to Fela (Anikulapo Kuti), King Sunny Ade, these are pioneers in the game. They are the ones that have tried in the past to break the doors, but it takes time… ”Somiso” as a joint has that Fela Afrobeat vibe”

On his relationship with Burna Boy

Burna Boy was one of the few artists who joined Wande Coal on stage at his UK concert and Wande admits that they share a special relationship.

 ”Burna is my boy forever, he is probably the best. Every time we meet, we are playing our songs, discussing it… we have tough love for each other, we are real to each other. We are working on different tracks together… He is a fusion of everything, he is one of those who can do anything.’

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGOahFB7A2/?utm_source=ig_embed

Recollecting how he started his music career

”I have been in this game since 2005, from a dancer to a backup singer for D’banj before I became an artist and I am happy that everything has paid off and I am still relevant.

As a dancer, I danced for the likes of Angelica, Konga and even danced in movies.

I was a backup singer for three years before I became an artist. I used to go with the live band by bus at night and we get there in the morning and we performed. It used to be a 30 piece band… we used to perform for like two to three hours and we went to 30 states in Nigeria, I was like 21 then and that is what set me up now,” he concluded