On the 22nd November, Wizkid dropped his sixth studio album, Morayo—a highly anticipated release that goes beyond just music. It’s a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Morayo. With this album, Wizkid taps into a different emotional range, honouring the woman who shaped him both as an artist and a man.
Morayo, which translates to “I see joy” in Yoruba, is dedicated to his later mother Juliana Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023. “Best album I ever made!! Now listen! It’s only up from here!” Wiz tweeted back in July.
Tracklist
The 16-track album includes previously released singles “Piece of My Heart,” featuring Brent Faiyaz, and “Kese (Dance)” and other collaborations with Asake (“Bad Girl”), Tiakola (“Apres Minuit”), Jazmine Sullivan (“Bad For You”) and Anaïs (“Slow”). See the full tracklist below:
- “Troubled Mind”
- “Karamo”
- “Kese (Dance)”
- “Bad Girl,” featuring Asake
- “Time”
- “Piece of My Heart,” featuring Brent Faiyaz
- “Break Me Down”
- “Bend”
- “A Million Blessing”
- “Après Minuit,” featuring Tiakola
- “Bad For You,” featuring Jazmine Sullivan
- “Soji”
- “Don’t Care”
- “Slow,” featuring Anaïse
- “Lose”
- “Pray”
Top 5 Tracks
5. Aprés Minuit (Ft. Tiakola)
One of the most beautiful things about music is its ability to transcend language barriers, allowing you to feel its essence without needing to understand every word. “Après Minuit” is a perfect example of this. In the track, Tiakola’s smooth French verses add a cosmopolitan flair to the track, while Wizkid’s Afrobeat sensibility keeps the song grounded in his signature style. The result is an effortlessly cool anthem that bridges cultures and musical traditions.
What truly makes this song shine, though, isn’t just the words—it’s the atmosphere. The melodies are lush, the rhythms are soothing, and the overall vibe is effortlessly chill, making it easy to lose yourself in its soundscape.
4. Karamo
WizKid shines brightest when he taps deeply into his roots, and “Karamo” is a perfect testament to that. The track exudes a vibrant Naija essence, with an infectious rhythm that beckons royalty to hit the dancefloor and inspires women to sway their hips effortlessly. It’s a sound that feels both celebratory and authentic, capturing the spirit of Afrobeat at its core.
3. Bad For You (Ft. Jazmine Sullivan)
WizKid has built a reputation for excelling in collaborations with female vocalists, and “Bad For You” reinforces that legacy. The track’s slightly funky, ultra-smooth production feels tailor-made for a dark day party or a chilled late-night vibe, setting the perfect stage for an intimate musical exchange. Over this lush backdrop, WizKid and Jazmine Sullivan trade verses about the subtle yet compelling details that have them captivated by each other. Their chemistry is palpable, blending flirtation with an undercurrent of sensuality as they explore the mutual influence that sparks their “naughty thoughts.”
2. Piece of My Heart (Ft. Brent Faiyaz)
“Piece of My Heart” is a very beautiful track. First off, I can’t decide which I like more: Brent Faiyaz’s absolutely mesmerizing vocal performances—the highly infectious chorus in the first part of the track and the hypnotic vocals in the second part—or the extra smooth Afrobeats beat that drives the song. F**k it, both are like that. As for Wizkid, in his own song, he definitely plays the role of Tito Jackson. However, I believe his Nigerian-flavored vocal style, combined with his lovey-dovey and spicy lyrics, adds to the overall concoction. Overall, this is a stunning collaboration track.
Wizkid is one of the biggest team players in the game. He stays letting people wash him on his own songs.
1. Kese (Dance)
In “Kese (Dance),” WizKid urges everyone to embrace the good vibes and move to the rhythm he’s creating. As the track unfolds, he describes igniting a party’s energy with a woman who’s caught his attention. Despite being tipsy and carefree, he reassures her he’s willing to take his time and enjoy the moment with her. The song’s lyrics give me flashbacks to when I was trying to fall in love in clubs.
I absolutely love this song’s uptempo Afrobeats instrumental, enriched with jazzy undertones. If this doesn’t make you set aside your plate of jollof rice and hit the dance floor, I don’t know what will. As for WizKid, his effortlessly slick and smooth vocal delivery makes this track one of his most infectious performances in a long time.
Fans’ Reactions
Since the release, fans have flooded social media with praise for Morayo, not only for its musical brilliance but for its emotional weight. Many are moved by Wizkid’s willingness to be vulnerable and share such a personal part of his journey. In one tweet, a fan wrote, ‘This album feels like a hug from Wizkid himself. Morayo is a masterpiece of healing and love.’
Rating
Morayo is a beautiful piece of art that has wizkid exploring different sides of him, from RnB to Afrobeats to the old pakurumo Wizkid. The album is a wonderful work.
7/10
Conclusion
Morayo is undoubtedly one of Wizkid’s most emotional and vulnerable works to date. By turning his grief into art, he has created a project that resonates with anyone who has experienced loss, while also celebrating the enduring love that shapes us all. What are your thoughts on the album? How has Morayo touched you? Leave a comment below—we’d love to hear your take on this soulful journey.
Read Also: Davido is Back and Better Than Ever! With his new masterpiece ‘AWUKE’
