Veteran Nigerian singer Seyi Sodimu has hailed Wande Coal as the most talented Afrobeats artist, crediting him for influencing some of today’s biggest stars, including Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy.
Speaking in a recent interview with comedian Teju Babyface, Sodimu said Wande Coal paved the way for the new generation of Afrobeats acts, noting that his unique style reshaped the genre’s sound and direction.
“Wande Coal was one of the pivotal moments where he switched Afrobeats to the new generation, influencing people like Wizkid, Davido, and Sean Tizzle. It was Wande Coal’s style that took Afrobeats to the new sound. I think he is the most talented Nigerian Afrobeats artist,” Sodimu said.
The Love Me Jeje crooner pointed to Wande Coal’s 2009 debut album, Mushin 2 Mo’Hits, as a game-changer for Nigerian music, introducing fresh melodies, vocal dexterity, and lyrical finesse that became the foundation for modern Afrobeats.
When asked whether Wande Coal has received the recognition he truly deserves, Sodimu dismissed the idea that success should be measured only by streaming numbers.
“Any artist you ask — even Burna Boy can attest to Wande Coal’s artistry. People love Wande Coal when they hear his music,” he said. “I’m older than Wande Coal, and I know he’s actually operating at about 30% of his potential and still killing it. Imagine if he was at 78%. Wande is a genius — he can sing, he writes, and he’s simply amazing.”
