Interview: Wande Coal Knows He’s A King 

The history of Afropop is incomplete without Wande Coal. Seventeen years ago, his seminal debut, ‘Mushin 2 Mo’Hits,’ expanded the sonic and textural range of the genre while solidifying Coal as one of the scene’s most innovative acts. In the years since then, he has been referenced as one of influential figures in Afropop. It’s a tag that Wande Coal himself has always been oblivious of, often pondering his place in the game publicly like he did on 2023’s ‘Legend Or No Legend.’

There are none of those uncertainties on ‘King Coal,’ his first album in three years that leans into his legacy without losing touch with the present of Afropop.  Across 15 songs, he touches base with the future of Afropop on tracks like “DEARLY,” “MONEY,” and “Sure For Me,” while also linking up fellow originators like Wizkid and Tiwa Savage for an eclectic set that sees Wande Coal channeling his genre-blurring best. “I feel like ‘King Coal‘ the album is well deserved,” he told Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio. “I also feel like it was the time to be able to really show what 20 years experience is like.”

The conversation has been edited for clarity. 

How did you get into music?

I give thanks to God Almighty for the gift itself. My parents love music. I feel like my dad is a very vital part of my artistry because he put me on Michael Jackson at a young age. At age five, I was listening to Michael Jackson. So it was just a no-brainer. Then I used to go to church and I joined the choir. When I got to school, it was just something I loved. I loved dancing and I loved Usher and the Michael Jackson dances. So, it was just all in one, and God helped me. That was it. When I got in the industry, I just prayed to God that I always wanted to be doing hits and just be happy doing it. That’s how I got here. 

How does it feel to inspire the new generation of artists?

I’m grateful for the new generation of artists. I’m happy that they say it out and you know some are very confident to say I am an inspiration to their music. I also feel like that was very intentional for me because I also know that music lives forever, if you get what I mean. So, the new generation is what I live for. It’s like I knew I was going to create this father figure impact, but also I love to see them do greater. 

How are you feeling about ‘King Coal?’

This album is fire. This [is an] album I’ve been working on for a while. I feel like ‘King Coal‘ the album is well deserved. I also feel like it was the time to be able to really show what 20 years experience is like. So, I’m happy about the album. I’m most happy about my features, because it’s been my dream to always have a label and have artists that follow my footprint. I was able to do that, I signed two beautiful singers. They are badass. I’ve signed Dera and Laz, and the thing that I’m grateful for is that they are on my album.

How do you approach romance and putting it into your music?

I’m a bit of an old school lover. I choose to be a good person because that’s what helps me grow, and that’s just it. I love music, I love inspiring others and you can never build a foundation without pillars. You need people to build the house. So, I’m old school, and that’s a fire vibe.

What was it like working with Wizkid again?

As everyone knows, Wizkid is my brother. We started this from the jump. So, we never ever put the love aside. When we make music, we make music for fun. It’s like we love it, like it’s like basketball. It’s like we’re like basketball players, and every time we want to make those threes. The record is just fire but just shout out to Wizkid, my brother for life. 

You worked with BNXN and Ruger too. 

Like I said, I love to work with these young guys. They are on fire. Ruger’s on fire and BNXN’s on fire. As soon as I heard the record, I was just like, “No way, let’s do this. Let’s go.” I’m going to find a way to do my own dance. I’m outside for real. 

What’s the message you want to leave the next generation?

As they say, I’m strong and I’m happy that I’m in this direction. That’s the most important thing: that I can educate through music. Music for me is always not just melodies. If you go into the depth of music, you will see that I always pass a message. So, my advice to the young generation coming, make sure it comes from your heart. That’s it. 

What’s next for Black Diamond Entertainment?

I hope to open up like a big franchise  where kids can learn how to produce and learn how to create. I want to always be going in there like a professor and put them on game. That’s what I want to do. I want to have a music school where you know where I come in like a dean, like a professor with no cane or no knife but just my book and my music. It’s fun for me. 

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