Fresh off an impressive showing on Show Dem Camp’s “Freaky,” off their ‘Palmwine Music 3’ project, American-based, Nigerian Afro-fusion artist Mannywellz releases his latest single “Skedaddle.” The track is the lead single off his forthcoming EP titled ‘Unwanted.’ “Skedaddle” is also a follow-up to last month’s singles “Di Do” and “No Closure.”
Mannywellz, who moved to the US with his family in 2003, has found a way to merge his American influences and the influences of his home country Nigeria. The son of a lead singer for The Choir of Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Surulere District, he blends R&B, Soul and Trap Soul with indigenous sounds inspired by King Sunny Ade and Fela. His 2020 EP ‘Mirage’ featured VanJess, Wale and Tems, putting him on the radar of music listeners as a notable talent. Recently, he was awarded BET and Nissan’s Next-up AfroBeats winner.
On “Skedaddle,” Mannywellz addresses a love interest’s hesitancy, singing, “Easy baby pick ya move/You know all the things I do/Ginger me or skedaddle.” Mannywellz’s love interest only seems interested in the sexual pleasures he offers and not in making any emotional commitment. He wants her but he is also not interested in forcing her into making any commitment, singing that he “don’t like catching feelings/So it’s alright.”
Mannywellz began his career as a music producer and he hasn’t stopped even after becoming an artist. He gives “Skedaddle” a mid-tempo, bouncy rhythm; underneath the drums is the steady plucking of guitar chords. At intervals, he switches his tone, settling for a Fuji-inflected delivery style.
Throughout his career, Mannywellz has been open about the fact that he can’t leave the US, due to not having his papers. He has been a recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program since he was a child, which gives him the benefits of working and paying taxes as well as protection from deportation. He has used the internet to his advantage, bringing his music to Nigeria and courting the attention of audiences on the African continent. With “Skedaddle,” Mannywellz shows that ‘Unwanted’ promises to bring more good music.
Listen to “Skedaddle” below.
Featured image credits/Instagram