Ahead of Wizkid’s seventh album, Morayo, we revisit his previously released albums.
African pop star Wizkid, now known to some as Big Wiz has come a long way in the African music scene; from his Holler at Your Boy days to recently making global sounds like the Tems-assisted Essence. Ayodeji Balogun is arguably one of the best of his generation. The journey didn’t start today. It has been on for more than a decade. The Grammy nominee recently released his fifth album More Love, Less Ego.
6. Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition
- Released: 2021
- Label: Starboy Entertainment Ltd/RCA Records
- Producers: P2J, Juls, Legendury Beatz, BlaqJerzee, London, Kill September, Saint Mino, Kevin Ekofo, P.Priime, Dre Pinckney, Akeel Henry,
- Features: Tems, Burna Boy, Justin Bieber, Skepta, Damian Marley, H.E.R, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Terri, BNXN fka Buju
In his bid to extend the viral status of Essence, Wizkid released a deluxe version of Made in Lagos. This version featured new input from Justin Bieber and BNXN with the prolific P-Prime delivering some sultry production on the album. While this album later fetched Wizkid his first solo Grammy nomination in the Global Music Album category, the deluxe album sounded more for promotional purposes than artistic growth. Eventually, Angelique Kidjo won the Grammy for his Mother Nature album.
5. Sounds From The Other Side
- Released: 2017
- Label: Starboy Entertainment Ltd/RCA Records
- Producers: Sarz, Picard Brothers, Diplo, Dre Skull, Spellz, Del B, DJ Maphorisa, DJ Mustard, Twice As Nice
- Features: Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Bucie, Trey Songz
Few years after his exit from Banky W’s record, Wizkid snapped up a deal with Sony Music and crafted a genre-blending album he called Sound From The Other Side. Unfortunately for him, the “other side” seemed not to have been ready for his sound, as the album failed to make much of a mark in the music industry. In addition to this, five out of the thirteen tracks were already released as lead singles, and only the Drake-assisted Come Closer was able to shine more on the album.
4. Ayo
- Released: 2014
- Label: Empire Mates Entertainment Ltd
- Producers: Sarz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Spellz, Legendury Beatz, Del B, Dokta Frabz, Maleek Berry
- Features: Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Akon, Banky W., Phyno, Yemi Sax, Shizzi, Wale, L.A.X
The sophomore slump is a battle every artist tries to resist, and only a few have been able to win the battle. Wizkid got the Sophomore bug on his second album, AYO (Joy) which is an eponymous title. The album marked his exit from EME. His first album Superstar was already pencilled down as a classic, and the pressure to replicate another classic militated against this album. This album was released during the period he and his label were involved in some tussle. This hindered his delivery, track selection, and lyrical abilities. And please, don’t get me started on the bland album cover.
3. More Love, Less Ego
- Released: 2022
- Label: Starboy Entertainment Ltd/RCA Records
- Producers: P2J, Kel-P, KDaGreat, Sammy Soso, P.Priime, Juls
- Features: Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Akon, Banky W., Phyno, Yemi Sax, Shizzi, Wale, L.A.X
On his latest release, Wizkid sounds more mature and at ease with himself than ever before. A cross breeds between Afrobeats, Dancehall, Amapiano, and Neo-Soul. The features are sparse, as Wizkid solely sings on nine out of the thirteen tracks.
P2J produced eleven out of the track with P-Prime, Kel P, and Juls supported. While he tagged the album More Love, Less Ego, at the end of the 40-minute spin, you observe that Wizkid might have just meant More Sex, Less Ego.
2. Superstar
- Released: 2011
- Label: Empire Mates Entertainment Ltd
- Producers: E Kelly, Masterkraft, Jay Sleek, Samklef, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Masterkraft, VeeDee, Q Beats,
- Features: Banky W., Wande Coal, D’Prince
Wizkid’s debut album soundtracked most millennial parties. A lot of the people who dance to this music are already married or have had their second kid. On this album, a star was born. Superstar was a formative introduction to Wizkid’s artistry; with monetary backing from EME and sonic support from artists like Wande Coal, D’Prince, Skales, and more, Wizkid fully unleashed himself on the audience. More than ten years later, he shows no signs of stopping.
1. Made In Lagos
- Released: 2020
- Label: Starboy Entertainment Ltd/RCA Records
- Producers: P2J, Juls, Legendury Beatz, BlaqJerzee, London, Kill September, Saint Mino, Kevin Ekofo
- Features: Tems, Burna Boy, Skepta, Damian Marley, H.E.R, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Terri
Released during the global pandemic, Made in Lagos became Wizkid’s full-on passport to the world. Although Drake and Beyonce might have given him some credence globally via their respective collaborations, Made in Lagos sees Wizkid taking his sound to the world and on his terms alongside some featured artists. Although the title of the album remains contentious, the sound of the album makes this less of an issue as Wizkid doles out sounds for his Jamaican (Damian Marley, Projexx), United States (Ella Mai, H.E.R) and United Kingdom (Skepta) audience, while not forgetting the home front (Terri, Burna Boy, Tay Iwar, Tems)
Contributors on Ranking Wizkid’s albums from worst to best;
Originally written by Emmanuel Daraloye – November 15, 2022
Updated by Onyema Courage – November 21, 2024
