Alingo Explained

Alingo
Cover:P-Square Alingo Official Cover.jpg
Type:single
Artist:P-Square
Album:Greatest Hits and Double Trouble
Released:August 16, 2012
Recorded:2012
Genre:Afropop
Length:4:31
Label:Square Records
Producer:Pappy J
Chronology:P-Square
Prev Title:Beautiful Onyinye
Prev Year:2012
Next Title:Personally
Next Year:2013

"Alingo" is a song by Nigerian duo P-Square. It appeared as a bonus track on their sixth studio album, Double Trouble (2014). The song peaked at number one on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 Chart for the week of March 22 through March 28, 2013, surpassing 2 Face Idibia's "Ihe Neme".[1] The duo recorded "Alingo" prior to the Love AfroBeats Festival, which occurred at the HMV Apollo in London.[2]

Music video

The music video for "Alingo" was directed by Jude Engees Okoye and Clarence Peters.[3] It won Most Gifted African (West) Video and was nominated for Most Gifted Video of the Year at the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards.[4] [5] Jude Engees Okoye won Best Music Video Director at The Headies 2013 for "Alingo".

Dance move and controversy

"Alingo" became popular due to its controversial dance moves. The duo first announced the Alingo dance during a press conference for the Love Afrobeats Festival, and said the dance's pace makes it complicated for a lot of people. After uploading the music video for "Alingo" to YouTube, the duo received numerous criticism from people who felt the song's dance moves bear close resemblance to the Azonto dance. Puffy Tee, a music manager responsible for Olu Maintain's "Yahooze", VIP's "Away" and Becca's "No Away", extensively stated: "the music industry is a vast one so everybody has the opportunity to create a new thing, so if Ghanaians introduce Azonto and P-Square from Nigeria also create Alingo, it's all in the best interest of the African music industry as a whole".[6]

The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation placed a ban on the music video, citing "erotic dance scenes".[7] In response to the ban, Peter Okoye said the ban helped promote the song and did not prevent cable networks from playing the record. [8]

Accolades

YearAwards ceremonyAward description(s)Results
2013Channel O Music Video AwardsMost Gifted African (West) Video
Most Gifted Video of the Year
The HeadiesBest Music Video

Track listing

Digital single

Notes and References

  1. Web site: P-Square's "Alingo" Steals 2Face Idibia's Coveted Number One Spot on This Week's MTV Base Official Naija Top 10. Bellanaija. 23 August 2013.
  2. Web site: P-Square 'Love AfroBeats Festival 2012' with Wande Coal, May D. Nigerianmusicnetwork. 22 August 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131109052314/http://www.nigeriamusicnetwork.com/articles/read-p-square-love-afrobeats-festival-2012-with-wande-coal-may-d_113.html. 9 November 2013. dead.
  3. Web site: VIDEO: P Square – Alingo. Notjustok. 23 August 2013.
  4. Web site: Channel O Music Video Awards 2013: Full List Of Winners. 360nobs. 30 November 2013. 30 November 2013.
  5. Web site: Channel O Music Video Awards 2013+ Complete List of Nominees. Naijanews. 7 October 2013.
  6. Web site: Ghanaians should accept P-Square's Alingo – Puffy Tee. Ghanaweb. 23 August 2013.
  7. Web site: NBC ban the video of Psquare Alingo,Take Banana, Shake Ur Bum Bum and others. Information Nigeria. 23 August 2013.
  8. Web site: Only 'one thing' can split us – Psquare. Vanguard Nigeria. 23 August 2013.