The Afrobeats king dropped the self-directed music video for “Kese (Dance)” on March 5, 2025, a standout track from his sixth album, Morayo. Following the soulful “Piece of My Heart” with Brent Faiyaz, this second visual from the album cranks up the energy, aiming to keep dance floors buzzing into 2025. But does it deliver the knockout punch we expect from Starboy, or does it coast on vibes itself? Let’s break it down.
The Vibes: A Visual Feast of Dance and Swagger
“Kese (Dance)” is a love letter to movement and celebration, and the video doubles down on that promise. Wizkid, decked out in his signature sartorial flair, commands the screen across three distinct settings. It kicks off in a dimly lit theater, where choreographed dancers, bring intricate moves to life, blending elegance with street energy. Then it shifts to a frenetic house party, complete with a DJ spinning decks and a crowd vibing like it’s peak Detty December. Finally, we get a fashion-forward finale: Wiz posing with a lineup of stunning models in colorful ensembles, framed against a massive painting that screams high art.
The visuals are undeniably slick. Co-directed with JM Films, the video pops with vibrant colors, dynamic lighting, and a polished aesthetic that’s pure eye candy. The talking drum break at the end, nodding to the song’s Fuji roots, ties it all together with a cultural flex. Posts on X rave about the outfits, choreography, and setups, with fans calling it a “10/10” visual feast. With over 1 million views in 2 days, it’s clear the Starboy faithful are eating it up.
The Sound: A Banger That Stays in First Gear
The track itself, is a bouncy Afrobeats-meets-dancehall hybrid that’s built to move you. Lines like “Chale make we dance gbedu, the music e dey play gbedu” are an open invite to let loose, and Wizkid’s smooth delivery oozes confidence. It’s no surprise it smashed records with 1.5 million Spotify streams in 24 hours and hit number one on Nigeria’s Top 100. This is Wiz at his party-starting best, refining the bombast of his early days with the finesse of Made in Lagos. Yet some X users argue it’s “tame” for a dance floor anthem, lacking the extra gear to truly dominate.
The Critique: Been There, Seen That?
Here’s where the shine dims a bit. For his directorial debut, Wizkid plays it safe, perhaps too safe. The formula, dim lights, gorgeous women, dance crews, and Wiz basking in superstardom, feels like a page from his old playbook. X posts echo this, with one fan scoring it 70/100, calling the concept “repetitive” and longing for a bolder vision. Sure, the theater-to-party-to-gallery arc tells a story of celebration, and the nod to Black women as art is a nice touch. But it’s hard to shake the feeling we’ve seen this before in videos like “Joro” Where’s the wild, creative swing to match “Kese”’s infectious beat?
The pacing also stumbles. The theater scenes dazzle with choreography, but the house party drags a tad long, and the model showcase feels more like a flex than a climax. Fans on X praise the “organic storytelling” and “cultural aesthetics,” yet others wish the messaging, like the wealth and pleasure vibes in the lyrics, dug deeper. It’s a party banger, no doubt, but it doesn’t push boundaries like Wizkid’s capable of.
The Verdict: Solid, Not Stellar
“Kese (Dance)” is a vibe, polished, fun, and dripping with style. Wizkid’s directorial debut proves he’s got an eye for visuals, and the video’s a perfect companion to a track that’s already a playlist staple. Tying for the 2025 NAACP Award for Best Contemporary Duo or Group with “Piece of My Heart” only adds to Morayo’s hot streak. But for all its swagger, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’ll keep the summer rolling.
