Wizkid has just dropped his much-anticipated sixth studio album, “Morayo,” and, predictably, the reactions are as polarized as ever. Released on November 22 through Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records, the 16-track project is being hailed as a heartfelt tribute to his late mother, Juliana Morayo Balogun, who passed away in August 2023. The album’s title, “Morayo,” translates to “I see joy” in Yoruba, but judging by the wide range of opinions circulating online, the joy might just be subjective.
When Wizkid first teased the album, he declared, “Best album I ever made!! Now listen! It’s only up from here!” A bold statement from the Grammy-winning artist, but is the album truly the masterpiece he claims it to be, or is it more of the same old commercial stuff that we’ve come to expect from the artist who once thrilled us with “Ojuelegba” and “Essence”?
Praise for Morayo: A Beautiful Body of Work or Overhyped?
Let’s be honest – the critics are already weighing in, and the divide is clear. Some are calling “Morayo” a triumph, while others are slamming it as a lazy attempt at releasing hits for TikTok trends. First, let’s give credit where it’s due: the album features some solid collaborations with names like Brent Faiyaz on “Piece of My Heart,” Asake on “Bad Girl,” Jazmine Sullivan on “Bad For You,” and Anaïs on “Slow.” There’s also the inclusion of previously released hits like “Kese (Dance)” and “Piece of My Heart,” the latter of which even made waves on the U.S. Afrobeats chart.
But let’s talk about the real talk from social media. Some fans can’t stop singing praises, with one Twitter user (@Agba Akin) declaring, “Just finished all tracks in Wizkid’s Morayo Album and it’s actually so good that any slander tweet I see on the TL today I just know the person is hating.” Our own dearly beloved Ayra Star, went even further, calling it “10000/10,” hailing the album as “an absolutely beautiful body of work.” They go on to praise the balance of traditional drumming, dancehall jams, chill melodies, and love songs, calling it “GOAT behavior.” Okay, we get it. These fans are all in.
Critics Say Morayo Falls Short
Not everyone is in the Wizkid fan club today. Enter Daniel Regha, a notorious critic ( maybe he’s actually right this time) who didn’t hold back. According to Regha, “Morayo” is a “quantity over quality album,” and that the music is more about hyping up TikTok than creating something meaningful. He slams the album for sounding repetitive and lacking any real spark, especially calling out tracks like “Bend” for having no real depth. He even criticized the collaboration with Asake on “Bad Girl,” suggesting neither artist did anything worthwhile despite their obvious talents.
His verdict? “Morayo” is a 3.5/10, mainly due to the beats and some experimentation with new sounds, which would have been better suited for an EP.
And then there are those who think Wizkid is simply stuck in a single route. “Played Wizkid’s Morayo album and… Production is great. Wizkid has only one tune now,” says one reviewer. “Same tune for three albums in a row now is beyond exhausting,” they continue. The listener claims to have gotten bored within the first few tracks and suggests Wizkid is creatively bankrupt. They say they might stream it one more time in their lifetime, but that’s it.
Where Do You Stand?
In the end, maybe it’s time for Wizkid to take a step back and really reflect on what his fans want from him. Is it more of the same formulaic tracks, or do they crave something fresh and daring? “Morayo” might be the album of the moment, but whether it has the lasting power to cement Wizkid’s place as an artist of true substance is still up for debate. As always, music tastes vary, and so do opinions.
What do you think? Is Morayo a beautiful tribute to Wizkid’s mother, or is it just a commercial attempt to cash in on his name? Let us know your thoughts!
