Surulere (song) explained
"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
"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
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
Critical reception
"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
Live performances
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)
Surulere (Remix) |
Artist: | Dr SID featuring Don Jazzy, Wizkid, and Phyno |
Album: | Siduction |
Released: | [21] |
Recorded: | 2013 |
Genre: | Afropop |
Label: | Mavin Records |
Producer: | 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
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
- Digital download
- "Surulere" (Official remix featuring Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Phyno) - 4:19
- "Surulere" (Tiwa Savage remix)
Notes and References
- Web site: Surulere (feat. Don Jazzy) - Single . iTunes . 13 November 2013 . 2 June 2014 . 19 August 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140819145819/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/surulere-feat.-don-jazzy-single/id755993550 . live .
- Web site: Dr Sid Shares Hilarious Scoop On "SURULERE" Video On MTV Base's Official Naija Top Ten . . 24 March 2014 . 2 June 2014 . Opeoluwani, Akintayo . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606222604/http://www.dailytimes.com.ng/article/dr-sid-shares-hilarious-scoop-%E2%80%9Csurulere%E2%80%9D-video-mtv-base%E2%80%99s-official-naija-top-ten . live .
- Web site: D'Banj & African AllStars Debut Top Of The List! . Pulse . 4 April 2014 . 2 June 2014 . Akan, Joey . 31 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140531212110/http://pulse.ng/music/charts/pulse-music-video-chart-dbanj-african-allstars-debut-top-of-the-list-id2776155.html . live .
- Web site: Why 'Surulere' Is The Complete Story Of Dr. Sid's Music Career So Far… . Fuse.com.ng . 21 May 2014 . 3 June 2014 . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606225910/http://www.fuse.com.ng/2014/05/21/surulere-complete-story-dr-sids-music-career-far-photostory/ . live .
- Web site: Dr. Sid Explains 'Surulere' . . 26 March 2014 . 2 June 2014 . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606205415/http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2014/03/26/dr-sid-explains-surulere/ . live .
- Web site: "Surulere" hitmakers Dr. SID and Don Jazzy share images of themselves from grass to grace . Nigerian Watch . 3 February 2014 . 2 June 2014 . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606220203/http://www.nigerianwatch.com/celebritywatch-with-michael-tubes/3814--qsurulereq-hitmakers-dr-sid-and-don-jazzy-share-images-of-themselves-from-grass-to-grace . live .
- Web site: New Video: Dr Sid "Surulere" Ft. Don Jazzy . MOBO.com . 2 June 2014 . Gboyega, Adenike . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606210350/http://www.mobo.com/video/new-video-dr-sid-surulere-ft-don-jazzy . live .
- Web site: Dr SID – SURULERE ft Don Jazzy (Official Video) . Fuse.com.ng . 23 January 2014 . 2 June 2014 . 3 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140603205703/http://www.fuse.com.ng/2014/01/23/dr-sid-surulere-ft-don-jazzy-official-video/ . live .
- Web site: Davido's 'Aye' most watched video on YouTube . . 8 May 2014 . 3 June 2014 . Alade, Abiodun . 10 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140510121001/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2014/05/davidos-aye-watched-video-youtube/ . live .
- Web site: Music review: With Dr. SID's 'Surulere', it's Don Jazzy again and forever . . 13 November 2013 . 2 June 2014 . Briggs, Uche . 23 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140423134049/http://www.ynaija.com/music-review-with-dr-sids-surulere-its-don-jazzy-again-and-forever/ . live .
- Web site: Video Review: Dr Sid and Don Jazzy's 'Surulere' is an empty show of life's unnecessities . YNaija . 28 January 2014 . 2 June 2014 . Donnett, Jim . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606230500/http://ynaija.com/magazine/video-review-dr-sid-and-don-jazzys-surulere-is-an-empty-show-of-lifes-unnecessities/ . live .
- Web site: The Headies unveils 2014 nominees . Business Day . 10 October 2014 . 17 October 2014 . Ochugba, Mary . 28 October 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141028165724/http://businessdayonline.com/2014/10/the-headies-unveils-2014-nominees/#.VECS_ildVz0 . live .
- Web site: Marshall. Rhodé. Channel O Africa announces Music Video Awards nominees. Mail & Guardian. 12 September 2014. 5 September 2014. 13 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140913011117/http://mg.co.za/article/2014-09-05-channel-o-africa-announces-music-video-awards-nominees. live.
- Web site: Pop duo, Skuki, reject Nigerian Entertainment Awards nomination . . 31 May 2014 . 1 June 2014 . Abimboye, Micheal . 5 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140605052920/http://www.premiumtimesng.com/arts-entertainment/161770-pop-duo-skuki-reject-nigerian-entertainment-awards-nomination.html . live .
- Web site: Jasanya. Olamide. Who won what at City People Entertainment Awards 2014. Nigerian Entertainment Today. 29 July 2014. 24 June 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140628064318/http://thenet.ng/2014/06/who-won-what-at-city-people-entertainment-awards-2014/. 28 June 2014.
- Web site: Mafikizolo, Uhuru, Davido lead nominations for MTV Africa Music Awards . Sowetan LIVE . 2014-04-17 . 2014-04-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140420073700/http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/entertainment/2014/04/17/mafikizolo-uhuru-davido-lead-nominations-for-mtv-africa-music-awards . live .
- Web site: See Nominees for the African Muzik Magazine Awards (AFRIMMA) 2014. Bellanaija. 28 July 2014. 9 June 2014. 28 July 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140728233201/http://www.bellanaija.com/2014/06/09/see-the-nominees-for-the-african-muzik-magazine-awards-afrimma-2014/. live.
- Web site: VIDEO: Dr SID – Watch him perform 'Surulere' feat Don Jazzy at #FOZ concert... . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 24 November 2013 . 3 June 2014 . Alonge, Osagie . 7 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140607103941/http://thenet.ng/2013/11/video-dr-sid-watch-him-perform-surulere-feat-don-jazzy-at-foz-concert/ . live .
- Web site: AY Live –Day of Happiness . . 3 May 2014 . 3 June 2014 . 12 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140512172028/http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/ay-live-day-of-happiness/177661/ . live .
- Web site: Phyno Joins Dr Sid To Perform 'Surulere' Remix At Star Music Trek . . 7 May 2014 . 3 June 2014 . 15 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140515003530/http://www.channelstv.com/2014/05/07/phyno-joins-dr-sid-to-perform-surulere-remix-at-star-music-trek/ . live .
- Web site: Dr SID "SIDUCTION" Out Now - "Surulere" Remix ft. Don Jazzy, Wizkid, Phyno . NotjustOk.com . 20 December 2013 . 3 June 2014 . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606203528/http://notjustok.com/2013/12/20/dr-sid-siduction-album-out-now-listen-to-surulere-remix-ft-don-jazzy-wizkid-phyno/ . live .
- Web site: Dr SID records 'Surulere' remix with Don Jazzy, Wizkid, Phyno . Nigerian Entertainment Today . 19 December 2013 . 3 June 2014 . Alonge, Osagie . 19 May 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140519231450/http://thenet.ng/2013/12/dr-sid-records-surulere-remix-with-don-jazzy-wizkid-phyno/ . live .
- Web site: TEEN Y! MUSIC VIDEO REVIEW : DR SID'S "SURULERE" REMIX IS A GOOD ONE . YNaija . 21 December 2013 . 3 June 2014 . Donnett, Jim . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606232623/http://ynaija.com/teen/teen-y-music-video-review-dr-sids-surulere-remix-is-a-good-one-download/ . live .
- Web site: GIVE US THE ORIGINAL ANYTIME. #FUSE REVIEW ON DR. SID'S 'SURULERE' REMIX with Wizkid + Phyno . Fuse.com.ng . 23 December 2013 . 3 June 2014 . 5 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140605180104/http://www.fuse.com.ng/2013/12/23/747/ . live .
- Web site: Lightning Review: Dr SID – Surulere (Feat. Don Jazzy) [House Remix] ]. Guaranty Trust Bank PLC . 28 March 2014 . 3 June 2014 . 6 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140606224100/http://gtcrea8.com/gist/lightning-review-dr-sid-surulere-feat-don-jazzy-house-remix/ . live .