Album Review: Morayo
Reviewer: Solomon Obi
Name of Musician: Wizkid
Name of Album: Morayo
Genre of Music: Afrobeats, R&B, Fuji, Pop, French Pop, Hip hop, Soul, Highlife
Producers: P2J, Marco Bernardis, Gaetan Judd, P.Priime, Brent Faiyaz, Dpat, DAMEDAME*, The Elements, Ari Pen Smith, Sammy Soso, T.Y.Jake, and Aod
Length: 16 songs,
Features: Brent Faiyaz, Asake, Tiakola, Jazmine Sullivan and Anaïs Cardot
Label: Starboy, RCA
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Initial Response: According to Oreoluwa Peters, a.k.a MR ROLLOUT, the album “Morayo is like Afrobeats and more chauffeured in a vintage Rolls Royce to a private hanger, jets off in an Airbus A380, while having Caviar and a glass of Château Margaux as it lands in Aspen. Wizkid is now on that level beyond superstardom but astute wealth and legacy.’
Overall theme of the Album: Love, Resilience, Tribute, Self-Reflection
How do I describe it: This album serves as Wizkid’s sixth studio album, a deeply personal project dedicated to his late mother, Jane Morayo Balogun, who passed away in 2023. The title, which translates to “I see joy” in Yoruba, reflects the album’s exploration of themes such as resilience, love, and self-discovery. He dares to express his dexterity and to prove his prowess as the “Poster Boy” for Afrobeats and what his legacy has to offer to the culture.
The lyrics: They are thoughtful. These lyrics all revolve around love, pain, joy, reminiscing about the past, good vibes, pure energy, blessings, success, and stories about life. I believe that this album will get much airplay. Also, the album is already doing well in the music charts like the UK Apple Charts, Spotify and other top charts across the world. The lyrics from this body of work require dedication from the esteemed listeners to digest the word gems shared on the given tracks.
Here are few examples
“Kese Dance”
VERSE 2
So, tell me what you wanna do tonight?
You no the party no go make sense, if we never dey there, we make the party come alive
We turn the O2 to O3, má lọ bé si italawa
So baby, tell me why you wanna
Shake body make you do as you like
Na steady we dey blow the cana
Blow some trees, make me feel alright
I no fit lie, man, I’m wasted
And I’m feeling reckless
Na who buy last, get latest
That’s why I’m working on patience
I no dey joke with my paycheck
If dem dey sleep, make dem wake them
So we go vibe, we go vibe tonight, k’ama de’bè
[Chorus]
Dance, gbẹdu
Chale, make we dance, gbẹdu
Make it dance, gbẹdu (Oh, le-le-le)
Let the music, e dey play, gbẹdu
Ọmọ, say you go dance, gbẹdu
Chale (Starboy), make we dance, gbẹdu
You go dance, gbẹdu
You go dance
“Pray”
Year 2011
Lil prince move to a whole ‘nother level
Starboy Wizzy, I been known from the get-go
Never forget, oh, I no be your set, oh
So, when you see me, drive by
I no dey let opportunity pass by
Na double six if na God throw dice
Ka ṣa ma gb’àdúrà, ká má prosper
[Chorus]
Àigbọ́fá là n w’òkè
I know my mama pray for me
And I know the heavens dey for me
And Jah make a way for me
Run to bàbá l’oke
I know my mama pray for me
And I know the heavens dey for me
Jah make a way for me
Tracks that stand out: Troubled Mind, Kese Dance, Time, Piece of My Heart, A Million Blessings, Pray, Après Minuit, Bad For You, Soji, Bad Girl, and Don’t Care
Tracks that don’t: Well, it is hard to say because all the tracks on this album are amazing and each has a story to tell about elements of love, pain, peace, joy, and prosperity. It shows the versatility of Wizkid as he slowly drafts the finishing touches of his musical legacy as one of the greatest to do it and who continuously tests his limits and continues to trill his core fans who have been with him since his early humble beginnings.
Why: The album is a deeply personal project dedicated to his late mother, and it blends Afrobeats, R&B, and a host of experimental sounds.
How does this album compare to others in this genre: This album does not compare to any of his previous works because he goes all out to express his creative genius and he even engaged in several social media exploits to build up to this body of work, and in true Star Boy fashion, it proved helpful to him.
My overall ratings and why: I will give this album eight over ten. The best word to describe this project is delightful. Its production is original and appropriate to convey his versatility in music. The mixing was so apt and facilitated the transition of sounds that made the listening worth it all. The choice of the featured artists would introduce Wizkid to new audiences, especially the French Pop scene, and further take him higher on the musical food chain.
I urge you to take out time to enjoy these refined sonic tracks of ‘Morayo’, which are ultimately about life.
Listen to FULL ALBUM below: