Despite his loss, Wizkid is determined to live joyfully!.
This fact is evident on his latest album, Morayo, a personal yet celebratory project. A tribute to his late mother, Jane Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023, the title is Yoruba for “I See Joy”, and it captures Wizkid’s decision to honour his mother’s memory through celebration rather than mourning, blending themes of resilience, gratitude, and love.
Known for merging Afrobeats, R&B, and Afro-fusion into chart-topping projects, Wizkid has continuously pushed boundaries since his debut, Superstar (2011). Each album—Ayo (2014), Sounds from the Other Side (2017), Made In Lagos (2020), and More Love, Less Ego (2022)—has explored new facets of his artistry.
“Ojuelegba” off Ayo introduced him to a global audience, while “Essence” off Made In Lagos and featuring Tems, solidified his global stature. With its refined sounds, More Love, Less Ego faced mixed reviews for its lack of emotional depth but its laid-back R&B style showed a new musical path Wizkid was walking.
The 16-track album, Morayo, displays Wizkid’s quintessential Afrobeats style while incorporating diverse global influences—a hallmark of his career. Collaborations with artists like Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, Tiakola, and Anaïs Cardot add variety, amplifying its international appeal.
“My mama leave me here, e no long,” Wizkid sings on the Grammy-nominated song “MMS”, off Asake’s Lungu Boy. Seemingly still mourning his mother’s death, Wizkid opens Morayo with “Troubled Mind,” a partially introspective yet celebratory track set against a bouncy instrumental. The song begins with an interpolation of K1 De Ultimate’s performance at Wizkid’s mother’s funeral, but when Wizkid sings, it shows his mind isn’t that troubled. Yeah, his eyes are bloodshot, and he can’t explain the pain in his mind, but he just wants to smoke, vibe and think because his troubled mind wants to sing.
Following the pseudo-distressed track, the album takes a dramatic shift, transitioning into upbeat dance music and soothing, romantic ballads. From the rhythmic dynamism of “Karamo” and “Kese (Dance)” to the partial emotive depth of “Piece of My Heart,” “Time”, “I Don’t Care” and “A Million Blessings, the album traverses various moods and genres, striving to strike a balance between celebration, introspection and euphoria.
Wizkid’s knack for collaborations shines in Morayo. Asake joins him on “Bad Girls,” a playful track that explores Caribbean influences. Tiakola’s feature on “Apres Minuit” adds a fresh dimension, blending Afro-fusion with European urban vibes. “Break Me Down” featuring DAMEDAME is a scintillating dancehall number. Wizkid is in his element on the R&B “Bad For You” featuring Jasmine Sullivan, and his guest Brent Fiayaz is as fly as Wizkid on the soulful “Piece of My Heart”.
These tracks, despite their infectious and soulful melodies, highlight a recurring criticism of Wizkid’s oeuvre—lyrics that often lack depth, focusing more on vibe and generic but exciting romance. However, Wizkid ensures his own voice remains central, using these collaborations to complement rather than overshadow his talent.
On Ayo (Joy), Wizkid melted hearts with (Mummy Mi), a touching song dedicated to his mother. The track celebrated her love and sacrifice, with Wizkid promising to love and care for her. Though this album is ostensibly titled in her honour, it begs the question; what’s an album dedicated to a beloved mother with no track dedicated to the deceased?
Morayo is just a nominal dedication with erratic lyrics, jumping between different ideas, moods, and styles. It feels fragmented, thematically reflecting an artist at a crossroads. It oscillates between Wizkid’s penchant for romantic, mellow tendencies and upbeat, danceable tracks. The result is a sonically rich yet thematically inconsistent experience. After a thorough listening, it’s easy to note that the album doesn’t reach the conceptual heights it aims for but still delivers standout moments that affirm Wizkid’s artistry.
Morayo is a good album, but it’s not perfect—it’s not Wizkid’s most daring project. It’s a cheerful tribute to his late mother which eschews sobriety and is not overly reflective. Devoid of emotional sincerity, its rhythmic brilliance makes it a worthy celebration of his legacy.
At the end, Wizkid has chosen celebration over mourning!
*** Michael Kolawole is a screenwriter, playwright, and cultural journalist/critic. Catch him on X @mykflow
