Heat From The Other Side: Unreleased Wizkid ‘Come Closer’ Video Surfaces
An alternative, unreleased version of Wizkid’s ‘Come Closer’ video has been making waves online. Directed by Alan Ferguson (husband of Solange), the visuals truly give styles from the other side. Wizkid proudly waves the flag for Africa, in custom designs from Nigerian stylist Ugo Mozie.
Mozie, famed for styling the likes of Kofi Siriboe and Diddy, robed Wiz in bold Ankara print two-piece evening wear and luxury silk robes. The legendary fit was topped up with a pair of Gucci Princetown tiger-applique, shearling-lined horsebit loafers. Only the finest for Africa’s Rockstar.
Wiz deserves props for repping. Over the years, Wiz has always made sure to film videos back home in Naija, where the picturesque greenery and sand match the prints. You most likely will see him in his ‘Agbada’, a majestic Nigerian dress-shirt for men, common to a chief or a noble. Or an ‘up and down’ – tailored traditional wear that Wizkid is adamant he can get sewn for him within 24 hours. There’s something about knowing where your garment was created; and knowing who visualised, sourced and embroidered the whole creation, from start to finish. Africa’s local ownership and creative grind is what breeds his confidence and flair. After working with Wizkid on the original video, UK photographer Dalia Dias describes him as “bringing forward to the mainstream that clean minimalistic aesthetic – whilst still combining our [African] culture, traditional clothing and other elements”.
African prints and fabrics are now being admired around the world. From French Montana to Beyonce, artists are flocking to the roots of African culture for inspiration. Ankara, a fabric known for it’s elaborate prints, bears similarities with the highly-coveted intricate designs of Gucci’s Alessandro Michelle. It’s a staple for African style, available to everyone, with the prints being able to tell a story from where you reside to how wealthy you are. But all in all, it is an expression of individualism, whilst still embracing oneness and community. Tailoring in Africa is essential to its fashion design market, so the fits and cuts are always ground-breaking and usually one of one. Wiz consistently incorporates it into his videos by also adorning the beautiful, curvaceous, Nubian women with traditional Nigerian gele head wraps and skirts tied by the waist. Africa to the world you say? No, the world is looking to Africa.
Peep the video for yourself and decide which version you prefer.
