Every child of a legend faces the impossible burden of legacy. When your father is a global music icon like Wizkid and you also happen to be an artist, the world is likely expecting the next 鈥淪oco鈥 or 鈥淥juelegba鈥 from you. However, the true mark of an artist is the ability to carve a space that is entirely their own. Champz, Wizkid鈥檚 son, is doing just that.
With the release of his debut EP, , he has unveiled a sonic world that stands completely apart from the Afrobeats rhythms and loverboy melodies that defined his father’s era. Champz delivers something utterly impressive with introspection and existential themes.
This is a quick song-by-song breakdown of the EP and look into his execution of a precise but vogue style of rap music, presented by a teenager鈥檚 mind and experiences.
鈥淐hampion Montana鈥
Track: 1
Duration: 1m 56s
Producer: Karnz
This is the EP opener and it sees Champz drawing influence from the tough-guy gusto. With the song鈥檚 title and opening lines: 鈥淪ay hello to my little friend / My nigga call me Al Pacino, 鈥榗ause I鈥檓 really him鈥, Champz likens the toughness of fictional mobster, Tony Montana, to how he sees himself.
He goes on to reference 50 Cent, whose tested mortality and early branding was a reflection and capitalisation of his gangster days. But the fascination is less about crime life itself, and more about the fantasy of rebellion and success, status and identity, control and agency.
Through his bars, Champz defines himself as not just a tough guy, but a dream-chaser and money-getter: the one who either gets it or dies trying. The one not deterred by teachers鈥 comments and knew the way before he was taught geography.
It鈥檚 clear that a certain style of art is an influence on Champz: street art. Street raps and street (gangster movies). Though he鈥檚 a sweet 14-year-old boy who promises to keep grinding until he puts his mom in a Lambo, he aspires to operate in a boss position 鈥 perhaps a tough one like the men he references.
Standout lyrics: 鈥淚 ain鈥檛 Jesus Christ, but don’t say my name in vain.鈥
鈥淕谤颈苍诲鈥
Track: 2
Duration: 2m 32s
Producer: Lxcid
Champz agrees he鈥檚 a nepo baby, as labelled by many (hard agree), and doesn鈥檛 want any disrespect to his talent. He acknowledges privilege but makes it clear he isn鈥檛 stuck on his parents鈥 wealth.
He鈥檚 also amused by the public鈥檚 surprise at his talent, bragging that he could make music in his sleep. The beat bounces after each bar, cushioning up his flows from an impressive non-threatening to a high-alert but controlled cadence.
In the same infectious energy Wizkid states in 鈥淣o Lele鈥 that, 鈥淪ee I go be number one / As a born champion, no lele鈥 鈥 Champz also declares, 鈥淚f you ask people what is the latest / They鈥檒l tell you, 鈥淎laye, Champion Montana ti debe.鈥
Standout lyrics: 鈥Give me five years, I鈥檒l be riding on my high horse.鈥
鈥沦耻辫别谤蝉迟补谤鈥
Track: 3
Duration: 2m 8s
Producer: Lxcid
Champz opens this song rapping about pressure, perhaps that of carrying on his father鈥檚 legacy as his first son and also as an artist. In the lines that follow, he expresses his desire to be a present parent, saying: 鈥淲hen I鈥檓 older, I鈥檓 gonna show love to all my kids / 鈥楥ause these niggas take a piss, life taught me all this.鈥
Without throwing a dig, what life has taught Champz about family time most likely hits close to home. He also throws shots at fake friends and hopes to one day be able to reveal his true feelings without pretence.
Interestingly, this song title is his dad鈥檚, Wizkid鈥檚 debut album title too 鈥 but Champz鈥檚 version leans more on family, loyal circle and freedom of expression, than the allure of party and celebrity lifestyle.
Standout lyrics: 鈥淭hey keep saying I can鈥檛 rap, I need to have it worse.鈥
鈥淐hampion Sound鈥
Track: 4
Duration: 1m 58s
Producer: TNIA and Hosanna
If you heard his snippet when it went viral a few weeks back and liked it, your jam is ready. Champz channels his Afro-swing swag with a lukewarm but head-bopping delivery to brag about his arrival on the music scene.
With a strong and grounded conviction enough to convert an unbeliever, he consistently calls himself a champion. He talks big and will have to back it up with the consistency of a champion. It鈥檚 truly an impressive song from a 14-year-old.
Standout lyrics: 鈥淪hout to the OGs in the game, but it鈥檚 time to pass the baton to the champion.鈥
鈥淐丑补尘辫颈补苍辞鈥
Track: 5
Duration: 3m 26s
Producer: Hosanna
This is the closing track and he jumps on Amapiano here. Champz takes a break from the good bad guy bars, smug brags, spotting fake friends, and carrying societal or family pressure on his shoulders. Here, he鈥檚 only about having a good time.
He urges listeners to move and have a good time to his tune, the Champion Sound. If you鈥檙e not feeling him or just standing still in Champz鈥檚 party, he feels sorry for you. If fans like, they can call this Champz鈥檚 鈥淲hat You Wanna Do?鈥 or 鈥淧akuromo鈥 without booty-worship and name-drops.
Standout lyrics: 鈥淚 can鈥檛 kill myself, man I鈥檓 just 14 / Step to the party, move your feet.鈥
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