[junkie-dropcap]N[/junkie-dropcap]igerian pop star WizKid has always made captivating music. His first two LP’s – 2011’s ‘Superstar’ and 2014’s ‘Ayo’ come saturated in infectious melodies and anthemic hooks that transitioned seamlessly between Afro beats, reggae, dancehall, hip-hop and R&B. This was further cemented on the critically acclaimed and commercially successful 2017 album ‘Sounds From the Other Side’, released two years after he collaborated with Drake and Skepta on ‘Ojuelegba’ and after the #1 hit single ‘One Dance’ on Drake’s “Views”.
Wiz was set to release earlier this year but saw delays because of the #EndSars protests against police brutality in his home country of Nigeria.
“Unity is key.The youth of Nigeria need our collective voices to continue to shine a spotlight to what is happening inside the country… Together we move.”
The 14-track project features superstars such as Damian Marley, Skepta, H.E.R, British soul singer Ella Mai and Nigerian Afro beats frontrunner Burna Boy. Althought these star-studded features due little to elevate the project. Skepta adds his name to ‘Longtime’, but with lines such as “She says she lives her life like the movies / I said, ‘Come and teach me’ / I got the school fees”, just don’t sit well and appear uninspired.
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Cuts such as ‘Ginger’, which floats between Afro beats and dancehall, make little impact. Even the assist from Burna Boy cannot give this album a much-needed boost. Things aren’t all bad though. Records such as ‘Piece of Me’ which features British singer Ella Mai and ‘Gyrate’ showcase Wiz Kid at his best. These slow, sultry R&B bangers are perfect for the club and or the bedroom. WizKid’s team up with H.E.R on ‘Smile’ just give off sunny outdoor slow dances vibes and we’re here for it. The tracks ‘No Stress’ sensational dance tune ‘True Love’ are the yin and yang to each other. Giving off rich tones and introspective songwriting to balance things out. These two track help keep the album in good company.
The production on the album teeters between Yoruba, Afro-Latin and Afro beats percussion. Giving the album a sense of completion, yet the album has a few tracks too many; ‘Mighty Wine’ and ‘Essence’, didn’t need to be on this album. While this isn’t a bad project for WizKid. He’s definitely taken a step back, which is sad for an artist with so much energy. Unfortunately, ‘Made In Lagos’ lacks the appeal of projects prior despite its author’s versatility.
