Wahala highlights Kaydeeikorin’s artistic strengths

Adeayo Adebiyi

There’s no rush to overwhelm the listener when “Wahala” comes on. Instead, the song settles into something contagious, luring the listener to enjoy what it has in store. This lighthearted energy is the main ingredient of what makes the record sound so good.

Without being frantic, “Wahala” is upbeat; it is playful without using gimmicks, and it captures a familiar Afrobeats impulse that has defined the genre since the early 2020s; music built to move bodies while keeping a knowing smile on the face of its listeners.

Like many other Afrobeats bangers, the production is centered on percussion and drums, which undoubtedly does a lot of heavy lifting for the record. Drums surely carry the rhythm of many songs, and on “Wahala” it communicates a bubbly but measured approach. The progressions of the song make it easy to follow due to its catchy tones. Other lush, melodic elements are layered over this, subsequently softening out the edges of the beat to create a smooth texture. This gives “Wahala” a rich feeling that doesn’t overwhelm, with enough space for the vocals to shine through.

Simplicity is the name of the game with regard to how the melodies are constructed, but it certainly works in the favour of the song. The melodies are sticky in the best way, displaying a level of catchiness that makes the song linger in your head long after the song ends. It earns your attention without demanding it, and this gives the listener a natural endearment to the song, making it fit to be the soundtrack to different energies and activities, from a lively dancefloor to a smooth drive.

Kaydeeikorin’s performance truly brings the song to life. With his sharp delivery, he gives the impression of an artist that understands and is comfortable in the pockets of the beat. The vocals bounce off the percussion, giving the song a quality that can best be described as “rubbery.” He’s in tune with the highs and lows of the beat, moving in relation to the rhythm, not chasing it. This elasticity in his delivery keeps the song engaging, as if he’s in conversation with the instrumental rather than performing over it.
With the lyrics, “Wahala” maintains a playful tone that aligns perfectly with its sonic direction. Kaydeeikorin does not intend to overreach or try to do more than necessary. Instead, they complement the music, adding texture and personality without distracting from the overall vibe. It’s this approach to composition that makes the song feel cohesive, in the sense that every element knows its role.

As part of Kaydeeikorin’s EP, Love Tales & Rhythm, “Wahala” offers a clear glimpse into his artistic instincts. For a new act entering a crowded space, he sounds remarkably assured. There is an innate relation with mood and rhythm that suggests an artist of great intentionality. Even without loud statements, “Wahala” leaves an impression on listeners. What makes the record leave the impact that it does is the level of cohesion that went into creating this track.

Kaydeeikorin’s vibrant delivery along the luscious instrumentation beneath him dovetail to good effect. It is clear that “Wahala” is a song for motion; be it on a dance floor, through headphones while navigating busy streets, or as the soundtrack to a bustling city square. It invites you to plug yourself to a rich and well-executed piece of modern Afrobeats that positions Kaydeeikorin as an artist with the world at his feet.