When Wizkid and Asake teased a joint project titled “REAL” for December, the internet predictably went into meltdown. Two of Nigeria’s biggest exports on one body of work? That’s not just music, that’s an event.
But if we’re being realistic, there are strong reasons why “REAL” may not actually drop this December, despite the tease.
And no! It’s not because the project isn’t ready. It’s because December is the worst month to release a project of this magnitude.
1. Detty December Is for Moments, Not Projects
December in Nigeria isn’t built for deep listening. It’s built for:
Club appearances
Festivals (Oblee!)
IJGB Tours
One or two smash singles, if at all.
Albums and joint projects require attention, time, and conversation. In Detty December, attention is split between:
Multiple shows every night
New party records are dropping daily
Social media noise
Dropping a full Wizkid x Asake project in December means competing with the vibes themselves, and vibes always win.
2. Wizkid’s December Is Always About Presence, Not Rollouts
Historically, Wizkid doesn’t roll out major projects in December.
December Wizkid is about:
High-profile performances
Surprise appearances
Luxury lifestyle moments
Letting old music breathe in clubs
When Wizkid drops, it’s usually when the world is quiet enough to listen, not when everyone is shouting “We Outside!”.
A joint project especially needs:
Focused listening
Global media cycles
Streaming momentum
December doesn’t allow that.
3. Asake Is Also in Performance Mode
Asake’s December calendar is typically packed:
International tours
Nigerian festival runs
Brand appearances
Releasing a project now would mean no proper promo, no interviews, no visuals rollout, and no sustained chart push.
Asake’s previous releases show a pattern:
He drops when he can own the conversation, not when he has to share it with 50 other December headlines.
4. A Tease ≠ A Release
Teasing a project in December doesn’t necessarily mean dropping it in December. You know what Wizkid does with teases before today.
In the music industry, December teases often mean:
Testing fan reaction
Creating anticipation
Setting the tone for Q1
“REAL” could easily be a January–March drop, when:
Media cycles reset
Playlists are refreshed
Fans are back online and sober enough to argue about music
That’s when a Wizkid x Asake project can truly dominate.
5. Big Projects Need Empty Space to Breathe
A joint project of this scale needs:
Streaming focus
Global press
Time to trend organically
December offers none of that.
If “REAL” is truly a serious body of work – not just a quick pack of songs – then holding it till after Detty December is the smartest move.
December is loud.
January is strategic.
If Wizkid and Asake want impact, not just excitement, then delaying “REAL” beyond December isn’t a setback – it’s a power move.
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