Wanted (Wande Coal album)

Wanted is the second studio album by Nigerian singer Wande Coal. It was released on 26 October 2015 through Black Diamond Entertainment. It serves as a follow-up to his debut, Mushin 2 Mo' Hits (2009). The album features a number of other artists including AKA, 2Face Idibia, Burna Boy, Maleek Berry, and Wizkid,^[1] along with production from J Fem, Xela, Maleek Berry, Major Bangz, Sarz, Da BeatFreakz, Legendury Beatz, and LeriQ.^[2]

Wanted is Wande Coal’s first album in six years and his first since the breakup of Mo' Hits Records, founded by Don Jazzy and D'banj, in 2011. In an interview with Vanguard, he said he chose to work with Don Jazzy instead of D'banj because of their close relationship and Jazzy's role as a producer. Although he had no contract, he worked with Jazzy out of respect. In 2013, they had a disagreement, and Wande Coal decided to go his own way. He left Don Jazzy and began a new project. The album was almost finished at the time, but he had to start over, which delayed its release.^[3] Wande Coal announced the album's release on 16 October 2015. In a press release, he stated, "Finally, Black Diamond presents Wanted, my sophomore album. This is for the die hard fans, the critics, haters, the media houses and more importantly, those who never stopped believing. This is a reminder of who I was and who I have evolved into. This is where I want to be; Wanted."^[4]

The album's lead single "My Way" was released on 14 February 2013. It was co-written and produced by Maleek Berry.^[5] The second single, "Amorawa", featuring Burna Boy was released on 29 November 2013. It was produced by LeriQ.^[6] The third single off the album "Baby Hello" was released on 5 April 2014 and was also produced by Maleek Berry.^[7] The fourth single, "Ashimapeyin" was released on 1 July 2015 and features production by Sarz.^[8] The fifth and final single "Same Shit" featuring AKA was produced by Da Beatfreakz. It was released on 9 September 2015.^[9] AKA, who was in Nigeria for a special edition of Industry Nite in Lagos, announced the collaboration on Twitter, stating that he was finishing a record with Wande Coal.^[10]

Wanted received mixed reviews from music critics. Pulse Nigeria's Joey Akan wrote that Wanted showed Wande Coal as the "total package" and "at his best" with "character, rhythm, progression, twists and bounce," though he felt it was "more patchwork than conceptual album," concluding that "Wande Coal is back to his art," and rated it 3.5/5.^[12] Tola Sarumi, reviewing for NotJustOk, thought the album lacked focus and direction, writing that "there’s no artistic hunger here." She added that "the replay value… is very low" and concluded that "Wanted has been found wanting," while adding that "it's nice to see Wande Coal back as a pop performer," and rating it 5/10.^[11]

In a review for tooXclusive, Ogaga Sakpaide called Wanted a "fast food album" that showed "no artistic growth and depth," criticized its "misguided A&R direction" and "magnitude of mediocrity," and concluded that despite "rare flashes of brilliance," it fell short of expectations, rating it 2/5.^[2] A writer for Jaguda, going by the pseudonym Sifon, wrote that Wanted was "a good album, but not a great album," praising Wande Coal's "vocals that are unrivaled" and "top class" production on several tracks. He criticized parts as "unnecessarily boring," and concluded that "it is exactly what I expected from Wande," rating it 3.5/5.^[13] Music journalist Oris Aigbokhaevbolo, in a review for Music in Africa said the album was marked by "uneven production" and "forgettable lyrics." He called it a "losing game" and lamented that the skits referred to a "non-existent record".^[14] Dami Ajayi, in a review for Olisa.ng, wrote that Wanted "fails to address the question of new directions for his music and the growth expected over a six-year hiatus," arguing it was "neither a classic nor a collector’s item," that the "Don Jazzy factor is clearly missing," and concluding it was "at best a thrill for dancers and at worst a testimonial that Wande Coal shouldn’t be awarded all the credits for his great debut album."^[15]

Notes

• "—" denotes a skit