Africa’s biggest export, Big Wiz aka Machala aka Biggest Bird aka the Nigerian Entertainment industry, released his 6th studio album, Morayo, named after his late mom. It has been met with mixed reactions, even from his biggest supporters.
Morayo is a sonic journey that shows the versatility of Wizkid & Big Wiz in one project, the old fast fast-paced, upbeat Wizkid we grew up to loving and the evolved introspective, mature, Afrobeat superstar Big Wiz we know right now. The versatility of the album is a reminder of what albums used to be in the past, a blend of everything, something for everyone. A project where my favourite song shouldn’t be your favourite song.
The album opens up with a K1 the Ultimate sample from his mother’s burial ceremony earlier in the year, “Wizkid Nigeria Entertainment Industry gbogbo lo n ki eh”…( We are all greeting you ) K1 the ultimate hail. This alone shows how much of a superstar this man is amongst superstars. For those that don’t know – K1 the Ultimate is not just a godfather in the Nigerian music scene but a deity in the Yoruba culture and for him to revere Big Wiz in such a manner, goes to show Wiz isn’t any of his colleague’s mate.
After the sample, Wiz continues with an introspective song “Troubled Mind” where he talks about the weight of being him, a troubled mind yet living life to the fullest, a cultural homage with a catchy beat, and Wizkid’s signature vocal style.
The next song is a change in tempo – Karamo, a fast-paced Afrobeat that takes you back to the Wizkid we grew up to, the Wizkid that owned the 2010’s club scene, followed by – Kese ( Dance ) a pure dance anthem with a pulsating beat and infectious energy that has already blown up the street scene. A complete change from the modern-day Big Wiz.
The next song is a fan favourite with his new partner in crime Asake – “Bad girl” is a song I think the video will do more justice than the audio, the video will show people how to enjoy it because it is more of an Asake type of beat than Wizkid, of course produced by P.priime
“Time” which is my personal favourite is a mellow R&B track with a smooth delivery and a nostalgic feel of Big Wiz, he did it, it was his comfort zone and will be one of the standout tracks. “Piece of my heart” ft the ever Toxic American singer Brent Fiyaz needs no review/introduction as it was a pre-released single. NB it has one of the best music videos of all time to come out of Africa, I am sure Brent would have been shocked by the type of luxury Wiz exudes.
“Break me down” – is a Carribean-influenced vibe yet introspective track that delves into themes of love, loss, and heartbreak. The song’s production is minimal, allowing his vocals to take center stage. Bend is one song I didn’t think Big Wiz still had in him, a sound I thought he had left a long time ago, it is a trenches-influenced sound that will have him begging for breath when he chooses to perform it on tour, it is upbeat with a catchy chorus for the hood.
A Million Blessings, a social media favourite shows Wizkid’s gratitude and success, blending R&B and Afrobeats seamlessly. A perfect song to shoot a tour video. A song you will understand better if you have been blessed especially if you came from ground zero.
Apres Minuit ft French artist Tiakola must have been made during the French Fashion Week ( I may be wrong ) sounds very expensive, a P2J masterpiece ( according to sources he charges up to 50k for a production ) a high-energy French-inspired vibe with a catchy beat. A love song that is an instant grab for every Big Wiz lover.
Bad for you ft American Jazmine Sullivan is a mid-tempo track with a smooth delivery, a very luxurious song that sees him going toe to toe with the veteran songstress. I expected more from this song but we never know right?.
Soji a confusing song if you ask me, should have been slower because the verses are mid-tempo and relaxing type of lyrics but the chorus is very type of feel. Don’t Care is another stand-out song with a perfect balance of traditional Afrobeats elements and modern R&B influences with an effortless delivery and boastful lyrics that highlight his success and dominance in the music industry.
Slow ft French songstress Anais Cardot is another Big Wiz masterpiece because “if we no fit pay for time why we con day rush?” A sensual R&B track with a beautiful melody and soulful delivery that should be added to that playlist, you know that if you wanna do the do playlist right? A song that has ushered in another version of Wiz, a version that feels new.
Lose a soulful ballad with a beautiful melody and heartfelt lyrics, a typical Big Wiz. Pray an outro that could have been an intro, that talks about Wiz, his growth, his mom, and his music. One of the add-ons that sees Wiz actually writing or maybe doing multiple takes.
Morayo is a testament to Wizkid’s versatility and his ability to adapt. It is him saying I can be both Wizkid and Big Wiz effortlessly as social media fans have debated if he still had that in him.
As a music connoisseur who has seen Ayo grow from being censored because he wasn’t old enough to get into a Lagos cinema to him being one of the biggest artists in the world, this is not an IT album, it is worth mentioning that – Made In Lagos his pandemic album has been a blessing and curse to him ( an album he got everything right from production, arrangement of the album, to branding, to his tour and business team).
In Morayo, he made one vital mistake with the arrangement of the songs on the album, from Made In Lagos to More Love, Less Ego, he has meticulously and methodically arranged his project to progressively put his audience in a trance in this age of streaming music ( a side A and B won’t have been a bad idea). Morayo is full of music of different tempos smashed in one project which would disrupt listeners’ ability to listen to the project at a stretch like his previous works subsequently affecting the overall streaming numbers.
Another problem was the album title – Morayo, which is a tribute to his mom, fans were expecting the typical Big Wiz sound that they have come to terms with, but were they surprised!, a better name would have been Wizkid vs Big Wiz or Big Wiz – the Journey or even Ijoba Big Wiz that shows the two sides of the album but I am just a music critic and he is the genius right?
While it may not be as commercially accessible as his previous works, Morayo offers something for everyone. In Morayo, Wizkid has created an album that will resonate with both fans old and new. It’s a bold step forward in his career and a reminder of his enduring talent and I pray we all live long enough to see him perform these songs on tour. Will he Kese and Bend as he suggests?
On Morayo, you might not get it at first listen but once you do, you can’t unsee it anymore.
By Joseph Abalokwu ( @jxsephabalokwu on Twitter )
