By Samuel Timothy
Afrobeats sensation Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, continues to dominate the music industry with his sixth studio album, Morayo. Released to widespread acclaim, the album broke streaming records on Spotify within 24 hours, solidifying Wizkid’s status as one of Africa’s leading global music icons.
Spotify Africa took to X (formerly Twitter) to celebrate Wizkid’s achievement, lauding the historic milestone. Fans and critics alike have hailed the album, which debuted at the top of Spotify Nigeria’s Weekly Top Albums Chart with just one hour of tracking. This feat places Morayo alongside other groundbreaking albums like Rema’s Rave & Roses, Asake’s Mr. Money With The Vibe, and Burna Boy’s Love, Damini.
One particularly notable accomplishment is Wizkid becoming the first African artist to feature on Spotify’s Active Sound cover, a testament to his influence on the platform.
Spotify Africa and Fans React
The success of Morayo has sparked reactions across the music industry. Spotify Africa, in response to a fan’s comment, expressed excitement, amplifying the album’s impact. Social media was abuzz with praise for Wizkid’s loyal fanbase, known as “Wizkid FC,” whose unyielding support contributed to the album’s success.
Fans left enthusiastic comments, with one user, @ricch_soma, stating, “If Wizkid cough I go stream.” Another added, “Truth be told, Wizkid has a loyal fan base.” Even fans of Wizkid’s industry rivals admitted to enjoying the album, with @wyldwildwest commenting, “I be Davido fan, but the album enter…pure gbedu.”
The album’s release has also reignited conversations about Wizkid’s dominance in the Afrobeats genre. Fans such as @stansn0w praised his consistency, saying, “If having a PhD in setting and breaking of records was a person!”
A Personal and Powerful Album
Named after his mother, Morayo holds deep personal significance for Wizkid. In earlier interviews, the artist described the project as a reflection of his emotional journey, stating, “I hope it lifts spirits and spreads positive energy.” Featuring a mix of Afrobeat, R&B, and dancehall influences, the album resonates with listeners worldwide, reinforcing Wizkid’s reputation as a global trailblazer.
The tracklist includes fan favorites like “Piece of My Heart,” featuring Brent Faiyaz. This particular song has drawn attention for its captivating blend of Caribbean and Afrobeat rhythms.
Criticism Amid Acclaim
While Morayo has received widespread acclaim, not all reactions have been positive. Notable music critic Daniel Regha expressed reservations about the song “Kese,” describing its lyrics as underwhelming. He noted, “Wizkid should have gone a little harder in the first verse, while the ‘Cana’ reference in the second verse was completely unnecessary.”
Despite these critiques, fans remain largely undeterred, and the album’s record-breaking success speaks volumes about its impact on both local and international audiences.
With Morayo, Wizkid has once again set a benchmark in the global music industry, showcasing the unrelenting power of Afrobeats. As fans continue to celebrate, the album’s trajectory promises even greater milestones in the weeks ahead.
