From a young boy with big dreams in the bustling streets of Lagos to one of the most influential artists on the planet, Wizkid’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Over the years, Wizkid has evolved from the fresh-faced Superstar who captured our hearts with catchy Afropop bangers to a global icon redefining music with every album.
In this article, we’ll explore Wizkid’s remarkable transformation—from his 2011 debut album, Superstar, to his latest masterpiece, Morayo. We’ll dive into the music, the milestones, and the magic that have made Wizkid a force to be reckoned with, both in Africa and beyond.
Once Upon a “Superstar”
Wizkid’s journey began in 2011 with his debut album, Superstar. If, like me, you were a Nigerian teenager at the time, chances are you were probably playing Holla at Your Boy from one of those tiny MP3 players.
The Superstar album was fresh, relatable, and packed with pure talent, propelling Wizkid into national stardom. It also included hits like Love My Baby, Say My Name, Pakuromo, Don’t Dull, and much more.
In this debut album, Wizkid clearly delivers what Apple Music calls “…catchy experiments in distinctly-of-the-moment multilingual Nigerian pop.” We see Wizkid try out different sounds, trying to figure out what type of artist he wanted to be in the event that he blew up (and boy, did he blow up.)
Ayo
On Wizkid’s second album, Ayo, he went back to his roots while planting seeds for a global takeover. This album had heavy influences from the Afrobeat genre, while he borrowed several sounds from legends like Fela Kuti.
Ayo gave us hits like Jaiye Jaiye, Show You the Money, and the global hit, Ojuelegba. On this project, Wizkid seemingly tries his hand at incorporating Western sounds into his music.
We can see that evident in songs like In Love ft. Seyi Shay and Murder ft. Wale. While such songs were not the most sought-after on the album, they gave him more confidence to keep exploring, and we see more evidence of that in subsequent albums.
Sounds From The Other Side
In 2017, Wizkid tapped into a new global audience, officially becoming a global citizen. His third studio album, SFTOS was basically a passport to the world.
It had songs like Come Closer ft. Drake, Naughty Ride ft. Major Lazer, and African Bad Gyal ft. Chris Brown. But that’s not all, he also featured other artists like Ty Dollar Sign, Trey Songz, and Bucie.
Looking back now, it seemed like he just put any international star on the album (whether or not they had chemistry on the tracks), as long as they were willing to collaborate with him. However, at the time, it was a major game changer. Afrobeats was not as popular as it is now, and seeing him collaborate with so many international artists definitely solidified his role as a global voice in music.
Made in Lagos
By 2020, Wizkid was already a certified superstar. He understood what sounds worked for him, plus, he had the holy grail of music– global appeal, and this was very evident in his fourth studio album.
This project had global hits like Essence ft Tems, Mood ft Buju (now BNXN), Piece of Me ft Ella Mai.
While Wizkid featured numerous collaborations on MIL, it was evident that he prioritized working with artists he genuinely had chemistry with, unlike the approach taken on SFTOS.
As a result, MIL stands out as Wizkid’s best album to date, in this writer’s opinion. He mastered his sound and carefully chose the right artists to complement it.
More Love, Less Ego
Wizkid’s fifth studio album, MLLE, felt like a sequel to Made in Lagos. The album leaned heavily on mellow rhythms, smooth sound production, and impeccable cross-cultural appeal. This album made us confident of one thing; Wizkid was no longer just making music for us to dance to; he was creating art that made us feel.
Curious to know what else we thought of this album? Check out a full review of MLLE here.
And Now… Morayo
Fast forward to 2024, and here we are with Morayo, Wizkid’s latest album. If Made in Lagos was about roots and More Love, Less Ego was about heart, Morayo is about growth.
Wizkid gradually detached himself from the Afrobeats identity and transitioned into an Afro-fusion artist. While some may view this as a bold attempt to distance himself from his roots and the very sounds that defined his early career, this writer believes he is fully justified in doing so. Morayo demonstrated that confining Wizkid to an Afrobeats box is not only restrictive but also diminishes the breadth of his artistry.
The album dives into themes of introspection, love, and legacy, with a sound that’s less experimental and more grounded. One thing is clear here; Wizkid’s ability to reinvent himself while staying true to his essence is what makes him a dynamic artist.
Here’s another full album review of Morayo.
Final Thoughts on Wizkid, From Superstar to Morayo
Wizkid’s journey from Superstar to Morayo is a masterclass in evolution. He has gone from crafting catchy Afropop tunes that resonated with a local audience to becoming a global trendsetter, bridging cultures and redefining Afrobeat on the world stage.
Each album marks a chapter in his growth as a storyteller and innovator who stays true to his roots while embracing the future.
What’s next for Wizkid? This writer has no clue. However, one thing remains certain: the artist who started with Holla at Your Boy and took African music to unimaginable heights is nowhere near finished.
