Afrobeats Titans Wizkid and Asake Confirm Joint Project "REAL (Vol. 1)" for December Release

The global Afrobeats community is buzzing with anticipation following the official announcement of a collaborative project between two of the genre's most dominant forces: Wizkid and Asake. The joint effort, titled "REAL (Vol. 1)," is confirmed for a release before the end of this month, promising to be one of the most impactful musical statements of 2025's renowned "Detty December" season.

A Surprise Apple Music Takeover: The news, which immediately sent shockwaves across social media platforms, was revealed during an exclusive Apple Music Radio takeover on Friday, December 5, 2025. Seated together, the two Nigerian superstars made a direct and succinct confirmation. Wizkid, often referred to as 'Big Wiz,' stated: "Special announcement, 2025 Mr Money [and] Big Wiz project. It's called REAL, and it drops this December. For the people, Vol. 1." The casual yet definitive nature of the announcement has only amplified the already frenzied excitement surrounding the project.

A Synergy of Sound Merging Global Afro pop with Street Pop: The collaboration on an entire EP, rather than a single track, represents a watershed moment for Afrobeats. Wizkid brings his signature smooth, velvety Afro pop sound, honed over a decade of international success, global charting singles, and numerous sold-out arena tours. Conversely, Asake, whose alias is 'Mr. Money,' is renowned for his innovative Fuji Amapiano street-pop fusion, characterized by high energy percussion and distinct choir backing vocals. "REAL (Vol. 1)" is expected to synthesize these two contrasting but complementary styles.

The Road to "REAL" Building on Past Success: While "REAL (Vol. 1)" marks the pair's first collaborative extended play, their musical chemistry is already well-established. They previously joined forces on "MMS," a fan favorite track from Asake's 2024 album, Lungu Boy. That track demonstrated their natural synergy, with Asake’s vibrant delivery perfectly complementing Wizkid’s laid back flow. The success of "MMS" set the stage for this more ambitious joint project, proving to industry watchers that their creative partnership transcends a simple feature and is rooted in genuine artistic synchronicity.

Track Teaser The First Glimpse with "Jogodo": Further fueling the anticipation, a snippet of an unreleased track titled "Jogodo" was previewed by Nigerian-American DJ Tunez during the radio session. The teaser showcased Asake delivering smooth Yoruba vocals over a rhythmic beat, followed by Wizkid's verse. This first listen was enough to elicit strong reactions, with comments praising the "insane chemistry" and predicting chart dominance. While the full tracklist remains under wraps, "Jogodo" has solidified expectations for a body of work packed with high-energy bangers perfect for the festive period.

Dominating the Charts The Impact on the Afrobeats Landscape: Individually, both artists enjoyed a phenomenal year leading up to this announcement. Wizkid's recent album, Morayo, emerged as one of the most-streamed Nigerian albums of 2025, while Asake solidified his market dominance by becoming the most-streamed artist of the year on Apple Music Nigeria. 

Their combined star power ensures that "REAL (Vol. 1)" is not just another release, but a project poised to dominate global playlists, club rotations, and streaming charts well into the new year. Industry analysts view the joint EP as a significant cultural statement, signaling a trend toward more large-scale collaborative efforts within the genre.

                                           

A Defining Moment for the Culture: The decision to drop a full collaborative project from two titans at the peak of their powers showcases a remarkable ambition. As Asake noted, the connection is "deeper than just making music, this is greatness itself," suggesting a work driven by a shared vision rather than mere commercial strategy. As the year draws to a close, "REAL (Vol. 1)" stands ready to serve as the definitive soundtrack of the holidays, affirming Afrobeats' continued ascent as a truly global musical phenomenon.