In line with what skit makers are doing big and creative in entertainment, Carter Efe’s tribute is an interesting twist to hits. The Nigerian entertainment industry always has big shockers lurking somewhere, jumping out without warning. When it comes to music, there is always a hot-new earworm to gbe-body to and right now it is Machala that is doing it for listeners.
Well-known Nigerian Instagram skit maker/comedian Oderhowho Joseph Efe, better known by his Instagram handle “Carterefe” made a big break into the Nigerian Afro-music entertainment scene as the first skit maker to release a song that made its debut on the US Billboard Afrobeats Chat. Carter Efe released the track Machala, a Nigerian slang that roughly translates to mean Supreme King with his guest artiste Berry Tiga (Agada Blessed Abotu).
Berry Tiga is one of the notable upcoming artists in Nigeria. He shared with fans that his tip to standing out from fellow upcoming artists in the music industry is hidden in his pattern, style, the way he looks and his genre of music.
Machala video. Credit: YouTube
The hit-song Machala serves as a sort of ballad to popular hit-maker Wizkid whose fans christened “Machala” at some point in his career. Machala premiered at number 14 of 50 on the Afrobeats Chart alongside entertainment giants like Tems, Burnaboy, Davido, Rema and the artist’s idol, Wizkid. The hit single produced by fast-rising producer “X” currently sits at Number 1 on streaming platforms and is currently among the top trending sounds on Nigerian TikTok.
Machala is a fine blend of Afro-fusion and Amapiano. Carter Efe uses this track to showcase his vocal prowess while he sings praises to his icon. On this single, the lyrics are truly not that deep. Carter Efe simply expresses wanting to live a life free of all sorts of problems, reiterating …
I just wan dey like Wizkid, Machala
The chorus goes further to tell listeners…
Haaaa, gat me looking like Machala o
I jam Wizkid for Ghana o
When I dance like makossa o
People dey craze for Instagram
gat me looking like Machala o
I jam Wizkid for Ghana o
When I dance like makossa o
People dey craze for Instagram
… where the artist uses end rhymes, coupled with its upbeat tempo to keep its listeners hooked all the way.
After the track made its debut, newly garnered fans began a buzz speculating the artist may fall into the category of one-hit wonder tragedies. Carter Efe hushed the buzz when he took to his Instagram page and made a post where a snippet was uploaded with Ceeza Milli, a Nigerian artist. In the Instagram reel, Joseph Efe is seen vocalising and stepping as Ceeza Milli drops beats, the post is captioned “EFE x @ceezamilli Incoming”. Fans were excited to see that the skit-maker has decided to further his musical career.
Although the artist’s icon has not officially responded to his ballad, the comedian-by-day turned artist-by-night continues to dominate music charts.
In this hit-song lies a jewel for both Afrobeats and Amapiano lovers. Give it a listen and watch it become a fave on your playlist.
Didi Dan-Asisah is an art enthusiast and critic. She lives in Lagos.
Ayodelé is a Lagos-based journalist and the Content and Editorial Coordinator at Meiza. All around the megacity, I am steering diverse lifestyle magazine audiences with ingenious hacks and insights that spur fast, informed decisions in their busy lives.
