Essence

DaBaby Unloads Quick-Fire Raps Over Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ For A New Remix And Fans Are Not Happy

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Prior to a month ago, DaBaby had his eyes set on new music he planned to deliver to his fans. The rapper promised a new album was on the way, but all of that became an afterthought when he unleashed a homophobic rant targeted at individuals with HIV/AIDS during July’s Rolling Loud festival in Miami. Since then, DaBaby has found himself in a string of controversial moments and it continues with the release of his latest track.

On Tuesday, the North Carolina rapper delivers a remix of Wizkid and Tems’ summer hit, “Essence.” His take of the track completely alters the song’s original nature as Wizkid and Tems’ relaxed vocals are replaced by DaBaby’s quick-fire raps. He also uses the track to address the recent criticism he’s faced since his Rolling Loud rant. “I just feel like, you know, when situations like this present themselves, man,” he says on the track. “And people try to, you know, assassinate your character, man / And assassinate who you are, man / And everything you put that hard work in for, man.” He adds, “Sometimes you gotta demonstrate, you know, that’s how I came here / And I don’t mind demonstratin’ / I don’t mind exercisin’, you dig what I’m sayin’?”

The remix arrives after it was reported that DaBaby met with nine HIV/AIDS organizations after his Rolling Loud. As for the remix itself, most fans were not too happy with it and they took to Twitter to share their displeasures.

You can listen to his “Essence” remix in the video above and read the responses from fans below.

Wizkid Invites Justin Bieber Into The Afrobeats World For A Remix Of ‘Essence’ With Tems

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Wizkid’s mainstream appeal has noticeably increased since the afro-fusion star dropped his stellar fourth album Made In Lagos last fall. The project saw the singer work with big names like H.E.R., Ella Mai, Burna Boy, and Skepta, but the album’s most popular song came through an unexpected collaboration with fellow afro-fusion singer Tems on “Essence.” The track has grown to not only run in contention for song of the summer this year, but it’s also the highest-charting African song ever, as it peaked at No. 54 on the singles chart this past week. Now, the song is due for a huge boost thanks to a new remix.

Wizkid and Tems invite Justin Bieber into the “Essence” experience for a brand new remix of the track. While some fans felt the collaboration was a bit inorganic, Wizkid and Bieber are paying no mind to the comments, showing each other love on social media. “Thank u for letting me jump on the song of the summer,” Bieber wrote in a Twitter post that announced the remix. In his own post, Wizkid wrote, “I promised you something special. @temsbaby & @justinbieber on da way.”

In another post, Wizkid teased more music on the way for fans. “Made In Lagos Deluxe,” he wrote on Twitter.

Press play on the remix to “Essence” in the video above.

Made In Lagos is out now via Starboy Entertainment/RCA. Get it here.

Wizkid And Tems Value The ‘Essence’ Of Intimacy In Their Vibrant New Video

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Last fall, Wizkid released his fourth album, Made In Lagos and it quickly grew to be a favorite out of the projects released during the 2020 portion of the pandemic. Unfortunately, the global circumstances may have prevented its enjoyment to the fullest, as a good listen in the summer sun would’ve made the experience even better. However, with the summer just around the corner again, Made In Lagos could finally receive that moment and the Nigerian afro-fusion star reminds fans of the album’s beauty with a vibrant visual for “Essence.”

Backed by an excellent contribution from Nigerian singer Tems, the two head over to the motherland for the new video. The singers flaunt the brightest of colors as they sing about the intimacy and close connection they seek between themselves and their partners. Wizkid rides around the neighborhood with a pair of women beside, both who seem infatuated with the singer, while Tems takes to the comfort of her home to sing her captivating verse.

The visual arrives after Wizkid earned his first-every Grammy Award as a result of he is contribution to Beyonce’s “Brown Skin Girl” track, an effort that also gave Saint John and Blue Ivy their first Grammy wins. The “Essence” video is also the fourth from the Made In Lagos, with “Smile,” “No Stress,” and “Ginger” being the other videos to receive the visual treatment.

Watch the “Essence” in the video above.