Review: Wande Coal & Olamide’s Kpe Paso, a show of class on the mic

For over two decades, one of the top Nigerian Fuji musicians, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, with the nick “Paso,” has continuously had to deal with different bants from rival fans who often associated his sound with loudness. Paso‘s gruffy voice and the loudness of his attitude, fans and music are contributory factors to the popularity of the slang “pe Paso”. To “pe Paso” (call Paso) is to celebrate a win loudly even when it is not certain that it will last.

This pop culture becomes the mainspring for which both Wande Coal and Olamide performed Kpe Paso. Kpe Paso strictly follows the soundscapes of Hate Me, the last collaboration between the duo in 2022. But unlike Hate Me, where Wande Coal shone in the guise of some Michael Jackson-esque robotic vocals, Kpe Paso is an expression of lewdness. A very calm one from the perspective of Olamide, whose responsibility was basically the hook. Wande Coal‘s boastful verses stand on the genre of the referenced Nigerian musician — it’s a Fuji blended on a midtempo Amapiano form.

In February 2022, Olamide featured Wande Coal on Hate Me; Olamide took both verses, and Wande Coal took the chorus. In February 2023, Wande Coal returned to feature Olamide on Kpe Paso; this time, Wande Coal took both verses, and Olamide took the chorus. One more collaboration from this duo and pronouncing them as the duo with the most iconic collaborations from Nigeria becomes unquestionable.

• Ratings: 8/10