The Unstoppable Kiss Daniel

From attending numerous shows, to passing up chances to get choice seats at gigs, I have always been on the lookout for new talent to put on here. Often times I fail, researching deep into mediocrity time and time again.

Sometimes it takes me an email to get a good material, or someone disturbing my music in my car as they grab my aux chord to play me something fresh. Other times, a Youtube link thrown my way from friends, industry professionals and the odd serendipity.

But Kiss Daniel was special. From the first time I saw him, I knew he had something special. Young and pretty, with a face that is attractive, spotting a white T-Shirt, the singer was slated as an opening act at the weekly show, Industry Nite, which holds at Spice Route, Victoria Island, Lagos. This was November 2014, two months after the singer released the song online. He was to open for Timaya, on the night.

Kiss Daniel hit the stage, and had to beg for a few minutes to get a prolific DJ Spinall to cue in his song. Spinall did after a minute, and abruptly ended the song when the singer was just about to say ‘G-Worldwide’. There was a mild embarrassment on Kiss Daniel’s face as he tried to mask it with a smile. His performance was explosive, as the singer showed stage-craft and showmanship that far belied his ‘upcoming tag’. He exuded confidence and swagger as he moved through the hall, engaging everyone, and generally making his face known. The people from G-Worldwide were present, with a production team that were generating content for promotional purposes.

Two months later, ‘Woju’ was a hit, and just over a year later he has an album out, commanded a decent crowd at his launch concert, and has become a household name. Kiss Daniel was not my singer. He was everyone’s singer. The boy had the charm of a snake, more like a combination between Usher and a younger Wizkid. He came off as humble, didn’t wear money, but concentrated a lot of his work on pushing his materials.

One other thing which has made him stronger than the lot of artistes who blew in 2015 is that he sticks to a script, with a delivery that has kept him relevant. Prior to his “New Era” album release, his singles had a personal feel about them, and maintained a trademark percussive influence backed by romance. “No be you I carry come, but na you I go carry go”, was his opening like in ‘Woju’, ‘Good time’ had “Girl you bad like crack”, ‘Laye’ was famous for ‘I know I’m crazy but, this is all I have for you..”. There’s a consistency in his lyrical composition and melody, making him almost irresistible via recognition.

This year his released debut project “New Era” has steadily grown in sales, debuting at the 8th position on the Billboard World Album Chart.

As Kiss Daniel continues his rapid ascent to Nigeria pop music zenith, he has maintained his sound, which in some quarters is somewhat polarizing. But one thing is clear: Kiss Daniel is 2016 pop music MVP, the artiste sent downwards to us from above with the saying, “This is my son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. Right now, he is the most hottest singer in the country, based on form, but to use football terms, if Kiss Daniel is Luis Suarez, Wizkid is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Right now the spotlight is solely focused on the artiste that some believe took out Sean Tizzle from the game, while also coming off as 2face and 9ice mixed together. Many view him as the future of our music, and the man who would receive the baton for the next class of hit makers.

But as young and refreshing as Kiss is, the boy from Surulere, Wizkid still holds the title as the hottest and most talented pop singer on the continent in 2016, his creativity and power moves off preverbal charts.

Part of what makes Wizkid so exciting is his ability to stick to his global domination movement, moving forward without veering off course. Kiss Daniel still plays the small leagues, and that is admirable, but Wizkid’s exploit has been used to inspire national pride, taking on not just the African continent, but the world at large. This has made him a cultural figure that transcends just music. Kiss Daniel might be on that path, but Wizkid is far ahead of him.

Yet just as in the football, where Cristiano Ronaldo is the better all-around player, the in-form Louis Suarez, whose flashy play and downright cold-blooded shooting sprees have made him the game’s hottest striker, and reigning MVP in Europe. Kiss Daniel is now the one holding the belt emblazoned with a golden microphone, not Wizkid.

There’s still a whole lot of 2016 left in the tank, with plenty of speed bumps (and surprise albums) still to come. For now, Kiss Daniel has the crown to do with what he pleases.