By Naomi Salami

Song Title: Soweto

Artists: Victony, Don Toliver, Rema and Tempoe

Genre: Afrobeats

Release Date: 2023

Background

Leading TikTok influencers, it seems, have initiated a bandwagon effect on other TikTokers who have started vibing to the beat of the newly remixed song Soweto by Nigeria singer and songwriter, Anthony Ebuka Victor popularly known as, Victony. This new version of his 2022 hit song, Soweto, which has had over three versions, is currently sitting at number 13 on Spotify Nigeria Top Songs.

The latest version of the song featured American rapper, singer and Grammy-nominated artiste, Caleb Zackery Toliver also known as Don Toliver. The Texas-born singer, who gained his popularity in 2020 after the release of his debut album Heaven or Hell has been on the uprise ever since and has been collaborating with major artistes in the industry.

The producer of the Soweto soundtrack, Michael Chigozie Alagwu but popularly called Tempoe is known for the production of Chukwuka Ekweani’s (CKay) afrobeat love song, Love Nwantiti which received global recognition and was used by multiple influencers, especially on the TikTok app. He has produced soundtracks for various artistes like, Omah Lay, Joeboy, CKay, Jason Derulo amongst others.

 About ‘Soweto’

The song’s sultry lyrics do well to communicate its message clearly. The song talks about their undying love for a girl and mentions all her physical qualities that make them go crazy for her. Victony in his verse talks about doing anything to keep her with him and that she shouldn’t play with his feelings. As usual, Rema does well to showcase his lyrical dexterity by showering praises on the lady and he is willing to spend anything on her. You could say that the song can be the Afrobeat version of Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing because of the sultry lyrics.

Credit: Victony on YouTube 

The lyrics goes thus:

Girl if you balanciego, I give you paper

Oh, no go do me Diego, my Maradona

Girl if I lap your soweto, na Maphorisa

Girlie your back e be tornado

And I go follow your craze go, craze go

Tunde don dey craze oh

Ayy, for your waist oh

And I go pay for your lace oh

Go dey for your ways oh

Tunde don dey craze oh

Ayy, for your waist oh

I go pay for your lace oh, ayy (Pay for your lace) 

Drawbacks

Now, it is a mystery why one song should have so many versions by the same artiste. It is usual for an original song to have a remix, but this many remixes make it a little hard for people to keep up with its releases. It felt like the producers didn’t feel satisfied with the first remix by Omah Lay and Rema and decided it was best to create another. A move that doesn’t seem necessary. We only hope that this is the last of the Soweto remixes.

 Opinion

Soweto may not be filled with heavy beats but its smooth tone makes it easy for one to get addicted to.

 Soweto is currently streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. Go and give it a listen.

Naomi Salami is a Content Manager with Meiza Nigeria.

Meiza Nigeria