Reported by Simon Daniel Yusuph l Journalist at Weng Global
British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith has revealed new details about her collaboration with Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid on the song “Alive,” saying the track was originally owned by the Nigerian musician before she eventually took it over.
The revelation adds another layer to the story behind one of the notable cross-continental collaborations on Smith’s 2026 album, What Are The Odds.
“Alive,” featuring Wizkid, was released on July 2, 2026, as a single from Smith’s third studio album. The song was produced by British-Nigerian producer P2J and combines elements of R&B, Afrobeats and contemporary dance music.
How ‘Alive’ Came Together
Smith has previously described the recording process as a natural collaboration involving herself, Wizkid and P2J.
Speaking about the song to Billboard, Smith said the recording process with P2J and Wizkid felt easy and that the trio wrote and recorded the track together in London. She also said she had long admired Wizkid’s music and his contribution to taking Afrobeats to audiences around the world.
The songwriting credits for “Alive” include Smith, Wizkid, P2J, Clementine Douglas and Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, while P2J handled production.
The song centres on the excitement and emotional intensity associated with the early stages of a romantic relationship.
However, Smith’s latest revelation about the song’s original ownership provides additional insight into how the collaboration evolved before reaching its final form.
Wizkid’s Connection to the Track
According to Smith’s revelation, “Alive” was initially associated with Wizkid before she took the song over and developed it into a record for her own project.
The final release is officially credited as Jorja Smith featuring Wizkid, with Smith as the lead artist. It became part of her 12-track album What Are The Odds, released through FAMM.
The final version retains Wizkid’s contribution while placing Smith at the centre of the record.
The track runs for about three and a half minutes and was accompanied by a music video directed by Gabriel Trautmann. The visual was filmed in Paris and presents the two musicians within a romantic summer-night setting.
A Meeting of British R&B and Afrobeats
The collaboration brings together two artists whose music has developed strong international audiences.
Smith is recognised for her work within contemporary British R&B and soul, while Wizkid has played a prominent role in the international expansion of Afrobeats.
Their collaboration also continues a broader pattern of musical exchange between British and Nigerian artists.
“Alive” was released during a period when Wizkid was involved in several international collaborations. The Guardian reported that the song formed part of his 2026 run of international releases and described the record as a combination of Afro-fusion, UK garage and house influences.
For Smith, the song became an important part of the rollout for What Are The Odds, her third studio album following 2023’s Falling or Flying.
‘Alive’ Becomes Part of Smith’s Third Album
What Are The Odds was released on August 21, 2026, with P2J serving as the album’s producer. The project features Wizkid on “Alive” and grime artist Devlin on “This City.”
The album explores themes including love, loss, friendship, growing up and personal experiences, while incorporating influences from UK garage, house, grime and Afrobeats.
“Alive” therefore represents more than a standalone collaboration. It forms part of Smith’s broader move towards a more dance-oriented sound on the album.
The Significance of Wizkid’s Role
Wizkid’s involvement also reflects the increasingly fluid relationship between Nigerian Afrobeats and international pop and R&B.
Smith has previously acknowledged Wizkid’s influence on the global reach of Afrobeats, describing his contribution to opening doors for the genre internationally.
The collaboration places that influence directly within a British artist’s album, while also giving Wizkid a presence on a project rooted in British contemporary music.
The result is a record built around the combination of Smith’s R&B vocals, Wizkid’s Afrobeats approach and P2J’s production.
What Listeners Know About the Song
Official music and streaming listings confirm that “Alive” was released on July 2, 2026, with Jorja Smith as the principal artist and Wizkid as the featured artist.
The official credits also list Richard Isong, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Clementine Douglas and Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar among the songwriters, with P2J credited as producer.
While Smith’s account about the song’s original ownership offers a behind-the-scenes perspective on its development, the final release clearly became a Jorja Smith record featuring Wizkid.
The song has since been included among the tracks on What Are The Odds, extending the creative partnership between Smith and the Nigerian star into a full-length album project.
A Cross-Continental Collaboration
The story behind “Alive” highlights how contemporary African and British music increasingly intersect during the songwriting and production process.
A song that began within Wizkid’s orbit ultimately became part of a British singer’s album, while retaining the Nigerian artist’s contribution.
For audiences in Nigeria, the collaboration also provides another example of Wizkid’s continued involvement in international music projects and the growing presence of Afrobeats elements in global R&B and dance music.
For Smith, “Alive” represents a collaboration that developed organically in the studio and ultimately became one of the defining guest appearances on What Are The Odds.
Weng Global – stories beyond borders
Sources:
- Channels Television
- The Guardian Nigeria
- Billboard, as cited by Channels Television and other music publications
- Apple Music
- Spotify
- The Cable
- Official Jorja Smith music release information
