The Starboy label boss, who recently announced his signage with Puma, has now made his fourth studio album titled, ‘Made in Lagos.’ The album is a 14 tracklist featuring fellow Nigerian artiste, Burnaboy, Tems, Terri; as well as international acts such as Skepta, HER, Damian Marley, Ella Mai, Tay Iwar and Projexx.
‘Made in Lagos’ was released in the late hours of yesterday, October 29, 2020. The album talks about love, life, personal journey, growth among other things. The first song off the album, ‘Reckless’, talks about the very realities of life citing issues such as fame, betrayal, sacrifice, resilience, etc. Someone is quoted to have said Wizkid was reckless in his discourse of major issues in ‘Reckless’ in view of the lines:
‘I no dey give a man more than what he deserve cos them too dey bite the hand wey dey feed them.’
Songs like ‘Blessed’ (ft Damian Marley) and ‘Grace’ see Wizkid showing appreciation for his journey so far and the extraordinary grace that stands him out from his contemporaries in the same space.
The bulk of other songs like ‘True Love’ (ft Tay Iwar & Projexx), ‘Piece of Me’ (ft Ella Mai), ‘Longtime’ (ft Skepta) and ‘Essence’ (ft Tems) are love centered.
Wizkid, also, did not forget to give his fans groovy music to jam and dance to. Songs like ‘Roma’ (ft Terri), produced by Blaqjerzee, is one song that is designed for this purpose with its dancehall pattern that is melodiously afrocentered.
Ginger featuring Grammy nominee, Burna Boy, is a complete vibe and viable to be tagged in the gbedu category.
What is particularly striking about ‘Made in Lagos’ is the fact that it is quite different from the usual pattern and style that has come to be identified with the ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner. This new style is more pop oriented with a voice texture that is more relaxed indicating the general idea of ‘no stress’.
Critics allege that this change in style indicates Wizkid’s maturing consciousness. Others have said that it is an overall attempt to win the coveted Grammy award.
The title for the album, however, gives the lie to this claim. From the title, Made in Lagos, it is clear that Wizkid exhorts his African roots over any Western ‘coronation.’
The title as a matter of fact shows that the album is not a far remove from the overall creative output that went into it. That is, while the general body of works indicates that it was exclusively produced in the Nigerian center of excellence, the title also captures Wizkid’s excellence and achievements as an act who has established himself in the Nigerian entertainment scene as well as in the global space all of which he attempts to show were sired in Lagos.
Notwithstanding the dissension, ‘Made in Lagos’ is out and we are more than loving it.
Nelson O.
Photo Credit: Pitchfork
This is a carefully orchestrated review. I definitely will download this album for this sake of this review.
Anyone who is not in love with this album must be a joke. Star Boy’s Made in Lagos is not for agberos.
One needs to get a good ear piece with a good setting and allow the song to pierce into one’s heart.
Interesting read