Wizkid’s Projects, Ranked from Worst to Best

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.

By Ademola Bashorun

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 for artistic growth. Eventually, the Grammy was won by Angelique Kidjo 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 to not 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 penciled 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 evidently hindered his delivery, track selection, and his 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 breed 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 minutes 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 global via their respective collaboration, 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)