Baddest Boy

{{Infobox song

| name = Baddest Boy

| cover = BaddestBoycover.jpg

| alt =

| type = single

| artist = E.M.E featuring Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W

| album = Empire Mates State of Mind

| released = April 5, 2012

| recorded = 2012

| studio =

| venue =

| genre = {{hlist|Afropop|hip hop}}

| length = 4:00

| label = Empire Mates Entertainment

| writer = {{hlist|Ayodeji Balogun|Raoul John Njeng-Njeng|Olubankole Wellington}}

| producer = Legendury Beatz

| chronology = Empire Mates Entertainment

| prev_title =

| prev_year =

| next_title = Dance For Me

| next_year = 2012

| misc = {{Extra chronology

| artist = Wizkid

| type = singles

| prev_title = Sisi Nene

| prev_year = 2012

| title = Baddest Boy

| year = 2012

| next_title = That Girl

| next_year = 2012

}}

{{External music video|{{YouTube|m1_HdLoShjQ|"Baddest Boy"}}

}}

"Baddest Boy" is a song by E.M.E acts Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W. Released on April 5, 2012, it serves as the lead single from the label's compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind (2012). A leaked version of the song, featuring vocals from Wizkid and Skales, surfaced on the internet prior to its official release.{{cite web|title=EME Presents "Baddest Boy" by Wizkid, Skales & Banky W (OFFICIAL RELEASE)|url=http://notjustok.com/2012/04/04/eme-presents-baddest-boy-by-wizkid-skales-banky-w-official-release/|publisher=notjustok|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921070847/http://notjustok.com/2012/04/04/eme-presents-baddest-boy-by-wizkid-skales-banky-w-official-release/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Wizkid,Skales & Banky W – Baddest Boy (official)|url=http://tooxclusive.com/2012/04/05/download-wizkidskales-banky-w-baddest-boy/|publisher=tooxclusive|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061044/http://tooxclusive.com/2012/04/05/download-wizkidskales-banky-w-baddest-boy/|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Official Release: E.M.E Presents Baddest Boy ft. Banky W, Skales & WizKid|url=http://www.jaguda.com/2012/04/05/official-release-e-m-e-presents-baddest-boy-ft-banky-w-skales-wizkid/|publisher=Jaguda|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061312/http://www.jaguda.com/2012/04/05/official-release-e-m-e-presents-baddest-boy-ft-banky-w-skales-wizkid/|url-status=dead}} OkayAfrica described "Baddest Boy" as a "banger with synths that resemble a heavily screwed “Akpako Master”.{{cite web|title=Audio: Wizkid, Skales & Banky W 'Baddest Boy'|url=http://www.okayafrica.com/2012/04/05/audio-wizkid-skales-banky-w-baddest-boy/|publisher=okayafrica|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=8 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120408133609/http://www.okayafrica.com/2012/04/05/audio-wizkid-skales-banky-w-baddest-boy/|url-status=live}} The song was produced by the record producing duo Legendury Beatz.

Background and recording

In an interview with MTV Iggy's Beverly Bryan, Wizkid was asked about the song's recording process. He responded, saying, "So, I went into the studio and I heard the beat. And Skales starts working on this verse. And then I came on. And then Banky did his verse. And then the song came out and it’s a successful song. I’m thankful for that."{{cite web|title=Welcome To The Empire Mates State Of Mind|url=http://www.mtviggy.com/interviews/empire-mates-state-of-mind-meet-the-record-label-shaking-up-nigerias-industry/|publisher=MTVIggy|date=September 7, 2012|accessdate=21 November 2013|archive-date=13 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113141830/http://www.mtviggy.com/interviews/empire-mates-state-of-mind-meet-the-record-label-shaking-up-nigerias-industry/|url-status=live}}

Music video

The accompanying music video for "Baddest Boy" was directed by Clarence Peters. It was uploaded to YouTube on July 18, 2012 and features cameo appearances from Shaydee, Niyola and DJ Xclusive.{{cite web|title=VIDEO: E.M.E – Baddest Boy ft Wizkid, Banky W & Skales|url=http://tooxclusive.com/2012/07/18/video-e-m-e-baddest-boy-ft-wizkid-banky-w-skales/|publisher=tooxclusive|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061005/http://tooxclusive.com/2012/07/18/video-e-m-e-baddest-boy-ft-wizkid-banky-w-skales/|url-status=live}} According to Nigeria Trends, the music video was shot in a private jet and hangar.{{cite web|title=New Video: E.M.E – Baddest Boy ft. Banky W, Wizkid & Skales [Download]|url=http://www.ngtrends.com/2012/07/new-video-e-m-e-baddest-boy-ft-banky-wwizkid-skales-download/|publisher=Nigeriatrends|accessdate=20 September 2013|archive-date=21 September 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921061025/http://www.ngtrends.com/2012/07/new-video-e-m-e-baddest-boy-ft-banky-wwizkid-skales-download/|url-status=live}}

Accolades

The music video for "Baddest Boy" was nominated for Most Gifted Duo/Group/Featuring Video at the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards, which was held at the Walter Sisulu Square, in Kliptown, Soweto on November 30, 2013.{{cite web|title=2013 Channel O Africa Music Awards unveils nominees|url=http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/2013-channel-o-africa-music-awards-unveils-nominees/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130906161524/http://nationalmirroronline.net/new/2013-channel-o-africa-music-awards-unveils-nominees/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=September 6, 2013|publisher=Nationalmirroronline|accessdate=23 November 2013|date=3 September 2013}}{{cite web|title=Channel O Music Video Awards 2013: Full List Of Winners|url=http://www.360nobs.com/2013/11/channel-o-music-video-awards-2013-full-list-of-winners/|publisher=360nobs|accessdate=6 December 2013|date=30 November 2013|archive-date=3 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003927/http://www.360nobs.com/2013/11/channel-o-music-video-awards-2013-full-list-of-winners/|url-status=live}} "Baddest Boy" earned E.M.E acts a nomination for Best Collabo at The Headies 2013.{{cite web|title=The Headies 2013 - View Nominees List|url=http://notjustok.com/2013/12/05/the-headies-2013-view-nominees-list/|publisher=Notjustok|accessdate=6 December 2013|date=5 December 2013|archive-date=7 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207081734/http://notjustok.com/2013/12/05/the-headies-2013-view-nominees-list/|url-status=dead}}