Wizkid, who in sundry times, over the past two years had announced the forthcoming release of his “Made In Lagos” album without it pulling through, has finally released it to the budding pleasure of its listeners. The first time Wizkid teased ‘Made In Lagos’ was in a conversation with DJ Semtex in 2018. In July 2020, Wizkid took to his Instagram page to give a vote of thanks to every featured act on the album. Some months later, we finally got a release date of October 15, 2020. It was the same day that ‘No Stress’ dropped.
WizKid had stated earlier that he delayed Made in Lagos to show respect for activists protesting police brutality in his native Nigeria. “It has been beautiful to see Nigerians around the world coming together to protest against police brutality,” WizKid said in a press release. “Unity is key. The youth of Nigeria need our collective voices to continue to shine a spotlight to what is happening inside the country. I want to play my part in this and in the movement for a better Nigeria, a better place to live for ourselves, our families, our communities. We will get through this together. Together we move. #EndSARS.” The time for guessing is over, it’s time to get into what Wiz has been stitching together for years. One general testimony received from several listeners is that Wizkid’s sound has transited into a kind of calmness, he’s now calmer than before. This album feels tailored to obtainable sounds in Africa, the UK and the Caribbean markets. “Made In Lagos” is significantly based on themes of love. Sometimes, Wizkid is a grown man falling under the charms of a beautiful woman. Other times, he’s like a nervous and shy teenage boy speaking his heart out to the woman of his dreams while mixing up his words.
For the opening track “Reckless,” The Starboy bursts forth lyrically with a form of reckless abandon (pun intended). The tune represents a form of benediction from the singer. Here, he sounds so invincible as he usually holds it down. Wizkid here is talking that prosperity talk, deservedly so. “I Go Do Anything For My Family Yeah”. With the beat of this tune so appropriately tuned, Wizkid tightens the knots and fills up expectations with his lyricism and vocal texture. One predominant feature of this album is the singer’s choice on saxophones and trumpets with well timed percussions which strongly depicts the African roots. Lyrically speaking, Other great tunes on this piece of work are “Smile,” “Blessings” and “Essence,” of which show off a great balance between vibes and songwriting balance.
Previously we’ve heard the elite Afro-beat crooner reach for notes with more of a range of energy. A clear standout single with seductive guitar strums is the second track, “Ginger” feat. Burna Boy. The ending of the song even leaves space for the African Giant to spit more bars of fire with Wizkid in the background having no more words to say. The album generally makes you want to zone in with a partner and have a wifed-up Sunday with vibes a whole lot of cruise. One of the tracks titled “Mighty Whine” is probably a little off the bar and if to mention, edgy but a commendable part is the heavy percussions in there. That tracks leaves you grooving consciously or unconsciously. The 14-track LP is apparently a star-studded project with contributions from acts like Burna Boy, Skepta, Damian Marley, H.E.R, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar, Projexx, Tems and Starboy Terri. This is what we’ve all anticipated, listen to “Made In Lagos” below.
