Surulere (song)

"Surulere"
Single by Dr SID featuring Don Jazzy
from the album Siduction
ReleasedNovember 13, 2013 (2013-11-13)[1]
Recorded2013
GenreAfropop
Length3:05
LabelMavin Records
Songwriter(s)
  • Sidney Onoriode Esiri
  • Michael Collins Ajereh
Producer(s)Don Jazzy

"Surulere" (Yoruba: "Patience is Rewarding" or "Patience is Profitable") is a song by Nigerian singer Dr SID. It was released on November 13, 2013, as the lead single from his second studio album, Siduction (2013). Don Jazzy produced the song and was featured on it. "Surulere" peaked at number one on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart for the week of March 21 through March 27, 2014.[2] It also peaked at number two on the Pulse Nigeria Music Video chart.[3] "Surulere" won Best Collabo of the Year at the 2014 City People Entertainment Awards and was nominated for Song of the Year at both The Headies 2014 and MTV Africa Music Awards 2014.

Background

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"Surulere" translates to "Patience is Rewarding" or "Patience is Profitable". In a nutshell, the song is a reflection of Dr SID's musical journey.[4] While on the set of MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart in March 2014, Dr SID said "Surulere" represents one's desire to achieve their goals and aspirations. He also said the song's music video addresses the need for patience among parents who pressurized their children to have kids right after marriage.[5]

In January 2014, Dr SID's fans began uploading pictures of themselves transitioning from grass to grace and tagged their pictures with the hashtag "Surulere". Musicians such as Tiwa Savage, Don Jazzy, Jude Engees Okoye, Wizkid, Banky W., D'Prince and Ice Prince also uploaded pictures of themselves to social media.[6]

Music video

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The music video for "Surulere" was uploaded to YouTube on January 23, 2014, and features Don Jazzy and Dr SID dancing in front of an undisclosed house.[7][8] The video stars Funke Akindele, Helen Paul and Blossom Chukwujekwu, and tells the story of a young couple who struggles with childbearing. Despite Chukwujekwu's mother (Akindele) attempt at ending her son's marriage, the couple overcame the stigma of childbearing that young couples often experience. The video for "Surulere" was ranked fourth on YouTube's most watched Nigerian videos for the first quarter of 2014.[9]

Reception

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Critical reception

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"Surulere" received positive reviews from music critics. Uche Briggs of YNaija praised the song's hook and said it "has a flavour that reminds one of Yam and palm oil – with salt, of course".[10] On the contrary, the music video for "Surulere" received lukewarm reviews. Jim Donnett called the video "vanity" and said it "mirrors nothing close to the patience virtue."[11]

Accolades

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Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Results Ref
2014 The Headies Best Pop Single Nominated [12]
Song of the Year Nominated
Channel O Music Video Awards Most Gifted West Nominated [13]
Most Gifted Video of the Year Nominated
Nigeria Entertainment Awards Hottest Single of the Year Nominated [14]
City People Entertainment Awards Best Collabo of the Year Won [15]
MTV Africa Music Awards Song of the Year Nominated [16]
African Muzik Magazine Awards Best Collabo Nominated [17]

Live performances

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Dr SID and Don Jazzy performed the song for the second time at the Fire of Zamani album launch concert, which took place at the Eko Hotel and Suites on November 23, 2013.[18] On April 20, 2014, Dr SID performed "Surulere" at the Easter edition of AY Live.[19] In May 2014, he performed "Surulere" with Phyno at the 2014 edition of Star Music Trek.[20]

Surulere (Remix)

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"Surulere (Remix)"
Song by Dr SID featuring Don Jazzy, Wizkid, and Phyno
from the album Siduction
ReleasedDecember 20, 2013 (2013-12-20)[21]
Recorded2013
GenreAfropop
Length4:14[21]
LabelMavin Records
Songwriter(s)
  • Sidney Onoriode Esiri
  • Michael Collins Ajereh
  • Ayodeji Balogun
  • Azubuike Chibuzo Nelson
Producer(s)Don Jazzy

The official remix of "Surulere" features guest vocals from Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Phyno. It appeared on the Siduction album and is a deviation from Dr SID's usual themes of love, romance and sex. The song was also produced by Don Jazzy and recorded in November 2013, at the Mavin Headquarters in Lekki, Lagos.[22]

Critical reception

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The remix of "Surulere" received mixed reviews from music critics. Jim Donnett of YNaija applauded Phyno for giving "a self composed, on point delivery and in his expected local dialect", but ended up criticizing Wizkid for sounding "a bit rushed, losing timing on the beat, and clashing harmonies with Don Jazzy".[23] A writer for Fuse.com.ng awarded the song 3 stars out of 5, commending its production while also stating that it would have been exceptional if Wizkid's verse was omitted altogether.[24] The website GTCrea8 criticized Wizkid and Phyno's inclusion on the track and said it "sounded like a rush job."[25]

Covers and remixes

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  • Digital download
  1. "Surulere" (Official remix featuring Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Phyno) - 4:19
  2. "Surulere" (Tiwa Savage remix)

References

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  1. ^ "Surulere (feat. Don Jazzy) - Single". iTunes. 13 November 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  2. ^ Opeoluwani, Akintayo (24 March 2014). "Dr Sid Shares Hilarious Scoop On "SURULERE" Video On MTV Base's Official Naija Top Ten". Daily Times of Nigeria. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  3. ^ Akan, Joey (4 April 2014). "D'Banj & African AllStars Debut Top Of The List!". Pulse. Archived from the original on 31 May 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  4. ^ "Why 'Surulere' Is The Complete Story Of Dr. Sid's Music Career So Far…". Fuse.com.ng. 21 May 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  5. ^ "Dr. Sid Explains 'Surulere'". P.M. News. 26 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  6. ^ ""Surulere" hitmakers Dr. SID and Don Jazzy share images of themselves from grass to grace". Nigerian Watch. 3 February 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  7. ^ Gboyega, Adenike. "New Video: Dr Sid "Surulere" Ft. Don Jazzy". MOBO.com. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  8. ^ "Dr SID – SURULERE ft Don Jazzy (Official Video)". Fuse.com.ng. 23 January 2014. Archived from the original on 3 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  9. ^ Alade, Abiodun (8 May 2014). "Davido's 'Aye' most watched video on YouTube". Vanguard. Archived from the original on 10 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  10. ^ Briggs, Uche (13 November 2013). "Music review: With Dr. SID's 'Surulere', it's Don Jazzy again and forever". YNaija. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  11. ^ Donnett, Jim (28 January 2014). "Video Review: Dr Sid and Don Jazzy's 'Surulere' is an empty show of life's unnecessities". YNaija. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 2 June 2014.
  12. ^ Ochugba, Mary (10 October 2014). "The Headies unveils 2014 nominees". Business Day. Archived from the original on 28 October 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2014.
  13. ^ Marshall, Rhodé (5 September 2014). "Channel O Africa announces Music Video Awards nominees". Mail & Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 September 2014. Retrieved 12 September 2014.
  14. ^ Abimboye, Micheal (31 May 2014). "Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination". Premium Times. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2014.
  15. ^ Jasanya, Olamide (24 June 2014). "Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  16. ^ "Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards". Sowetan LIVE. Archived from the original on 2014-04-20. Retrieved 2014-04-17.
  17. ^ "See Nominees for the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014". Bellanaija. 9 June 2014. Archived from the original on 28 July 2014. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  18. ^ Alonge, Osagie (24 November 2013). "VIDEO: Dr SID – Watch him perform 'Surulere' feat Don Jazzy at #FOZ concert..." Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 7 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  19. ^ "AY Live –Day of Happiness". Thisday. 3 May 2014. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  20. ^ "Phyno Joins Dr Sid To Perform 'Surulere' Remix At Star Music Trek". Channels TV. 7 May 2014. Archived from the original on 15 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  21. ^ a b "Dr SID "SIDUCTION" Out Now - "Surulere" Remix ft. Don Jazzy, Wizkid, Phyno". NotjustOk.com. 20 December 2013. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  22. ^ Alonge, Osagie (19 December 2013). "Dr SID records 'Surulere' remix with Don Jazzy, Wizkid, Phyno". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Archived from the original on 19 May 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  23. ^ Donnett, Jim (21 December 2013). "TEEN Y! MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW : DR SID'S "SURULERE" REMIX IS A GOOD ONE". YNaija. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  24. ^ "GIVE US THE ORIGINAL ANYTIME. #FUSE REVIEW ON DR. SID'S 'SURULERE' REMIX with Wizkid + Phyno". Fuse.com.ng. 23 December 2013. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  25. ^ "Lightning Review: Dr SID – Surulere (Feat. Don Jazzy) [House Remix]". Guaranty Trust Bank PLC. 28 March 2014. Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
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