Format Digital download Genre Afropop Label Square Records | Recorded 2012 Length 4:31 | |
"Alingo" is a song by Nigerian R&B duo P-Square, released as the first and only single from their Greatest Hits compilation album. The song is also the lead single from their sixth studio album, Double Trouble (2014). Upon its release, it eclipsed the 5 million views mark on YouTube. It peaked at number one on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 Chart from March 22 through March 28, 2013, surpassing 2 Face Idibia's "Ihe Neme". It was originally leaked to the public. The duo recorded the song prior to the "Love AfroBeats Festival" that occurred at the HMV Apollo in London.
Contents
Music video
The music video was directed by Jude Engees Okoye and Clarence Peters.
Dance crave and controversy
"Alingo" became popular due to its popular and somewhat controversial dance moves. The duo first hinted to the Alingo dance during the "Love Afrobeats Festival Press Conference". Furthermore, they went on to say that the pace of the dance makes it complicated for a lot of people. When the duo uploaded the music video for "Alingo" onto YouTube, they received a lot of 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", said: "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".
The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) placed a ban on the music video, stating: "erotic dance scenes at the end of the musical video". When asked how they received the news of the ban, Peter of P-Square said:
Accolades
The music video for "Alingo" won the "Most Gifted African (West) Video" and was nominated for "Most Gifted Video of the Year" at the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards. Jude Engees Okoye, the elder brother of P-Square, won the "Best Music Video Director" award at the 2013 The Headies for the music video of "Alingo".