wizkid • made in lagos (2020)

Haven’t had the opportunity yet to *really* delve into this album, but I’m appreciating it more and more with every play. I wasn’t sold right away, which had a lot to do with my expectations for this - and there’s all sorts of expectations you build up when a project has been dangled in front of you for three years.

(here’s a timeline - note: the year in the first paragraph after the intro is incorrect, it should be Feb 18, 2017 - also lol at the Soundman EP assessment)

My expectations were heavily coloured by knowing there was a ready-for-release Made in Lagos (2019) with dominant input by Killertunes and Northboi (hello, “Joro”!) - but it (and they) were sidelined, and we might never hear it (including the Northboi-produced tracks with Teni and Buju Banton), which is a crying shame.

I definitely wasn’t expecting a whole album of Loverman Wizzy, and much as I love him in that particular mode, it took some adjusting on my part. My first impression was, yes, it sounds great, it’s a whole mood, but perhaps a bit too... tasteful?, also, the songs/melodies aren’t quite there, plus a definite lack of bangers. The great number of features felt like a weakness to me too, a lack of confidence, focusing too much on the crossover, instead of the ‘made in Lagos’ concept.

But I’m close to 180’ing on all that now (not quite there yet tho). The album really works as a mood piece, and soundwise it really is of a *piece*, with P2J (co)producing 11 of the 14 tracks as well as being the executive producer. I haven’t had an on-speakers-with-special-rum moment with this yet (envying you, rob!), but it does sound extremely good and yes, consistent and *thick* on headphones. “Roma”, as the only real afro jam, actually feels a bit out of place here.

What strikes me most now in the features is Wizzy’s generosity there, often having his partner setting the scene for a whole minute or more before he enters the track. This doesn’t work with Skepta, but it does with Tems, and Tay Iwar is sensationally good on “True Love”. Agree with everyone here that this is the clear highlight, and it’s also the most collaborative track (noteworthy that it’s the only Juls-produced one).

Still feel the album values mood over melody, but this is mainly a problem on “Longtime” and “Mighty Wine” in the first section. (Those Wine/Whyne songs are becoming a running gag btw, he’s had one on each of his four albums now - you’d think he’s doing it on purpose!)

As for the singles, released and potential: I’m underwhelmed by the Burna collabo, “Smile” sounds *great* coming in after “Blessed” (it also feels less stodgy in the album context), and man, “No Stress”, that song only gets better and better. It has a video now:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veIK9yEabNc

Moka made an interesting point with regard to the new Ariana Grande album, which is also very low-key and intimate and has a notable lack of bangers, where she ascribed the choice for a stay-at-home, stay-in-bed vibe to the pandemic situation, where touring (and I might add clubbing) won’t be possible in the foreseeable future.
I feel this might have been a factor in the way Made in Lagos ultimately turned out as well.

Ah that is interesting. Also helps me understand why, for example, I initially thought the Jessie Ware album was thrilling AOTY material, but then didn't feel much of an urge to return to it after the first few excited spins, it felt incongruous stuck in my apt.

Anyway, good post! I'm kind of glad I didn't really know those details about the 2019 version of the album (Buju? oof). As usual you've reminded me that I should check out the producer credits.

FWIW, while the rum was special, the speakers were just a portable bluetooth device. I think it mostly helped to listen to it with someone else in the room rather than listening intently on headphones solo while trying to work out my ~opinion~ lol

I hear you, breastcrawl, but to me, at least, this particular mood is where I’m at right now. And I even have a job where I get to dj once a week in spite of the pandemic. This album lets me breathe, and I’m thankful for it. Also, No Stress is such a jam. And Smile sounds way better in the context of the album.

I wasn’t complaining tho! As I wrote in my post, I’m close to 180’ing on my initial impression.

(also, the Ariana album sounded very good to me)

feeling “Grace” this morning. It and”Reckless” are a perfect pair of bookends.

also “Roma” 👌🏼

good album this, no?

the smoothness of it all is a huge bonus for me

“Smile” sounds *great* coming in after “Blessed” (it also feels less stodgy in the album context)

very otm, was surprised by how much i enjoyed it.

i've listened to this about three times already, mostly as a whole so i don't have much to say about individual songs. it's just a vibe--confident, laid-back, with some creamy bass sounds.

great use of *that* Loleatta Holloway sample in “Essence”

Coming back to the first songs:
The percussion and bass in Reckless make for a splendid arrangement underneath his flow, it's very subtle and organic, the tropical flourishes are almost distracting from it.
Ginger feels incomplete and it's so strange to have featured Burna Boy on the chorus and Wizkid on the verse rather than the rather obvious opposite.
Wizkid's on his near-best on the second part of Longtime. Those percussions are so right again.
I don't get Blessed more than I get Mighty Wine, tedious song.

album is flat incredible

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMIlZFNX5Qc

interviewer doesn't really ask the most probing questions but wizkid comes off as very likable in this video and there is some interesting insight about each song

hearing the songs in this context actually gave me a real appreciation for "ginger" and "longtime" ... "ginger" in particular. this album is really about the final 2/3 for me but that song is pretty great

I enjoyed that interview.

the super collaborativeness of “True Love” makes more sense now: it came about in a session for a Juls project, but Wizkid liked it so much that he pleaded with Juls to give the track to him.

Interesting--though that makes it even weirder that only Wizkid is credited (on streaming)

I put this aside for a little while and right now it really does sound incredible. I'm at the phase of noticing the details deeper in the mix, and the opening third benefits quite a bit from it, e.g., I too like "Ginger"

that’s been corrected - in stages: Tay Iwar first, and as of yesterday (?) Projexx is tagged as well

xp

Oh good!

Justice for Tems too I see. Good news, that was def a sour note

yeah, that was really sloppy, given that the artwork is crystal clear about it:

https://theinsyder.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/wizkid-made-in-lagos-tracklist-tgj-600x600-1.jpeg

i love this.

roma feat. terri is so good.

so this went out live last night on YouTube, as I discovered after the fact. have yet to watch it, but everybody seems to be raving about it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9knXaWFC-FQ

”a three-hour live-stream starring WizKid culminating in a full-on, live interactive performance”

that live performance is the last hour of the stream, it starts at 2h19

that set is **lush** as fuck

skip the first two hours and enjoy
(the vibes start at 2h01, not 2h19!)

tracklist:
2h01 intro
2h03 Smile
2h06 Jam
2h08 Mighty Wine
2h11 Grace
2h15 Blessed
2h18 Energy (Stay Far Away) with Skepta)
2h20 Longtime (with Skepta)
2h23 True Love
2h26 Naughty Ride
2h29 Gyrate
2h31 Piece Of Me
2h33 Joro
2h37 Soco
2h38 Ghetto Love
2h40 Ojuelegba
2h44 Ginger
2h47 Reckless
2h51 Come Closer
2h54 No Stress

The Guardian is the first publication (AFAIK) that has Made In Lagos on its EOY list. They have it way too low obviously, but the write-up is pretty apt:

43. Wizkid – Made in Lagos
Nigerian pop continued to establish itself more firmly on the international stage in 2020 with successful albums by Burna Boy, Davido, Tiwa Savage, Tems and more. The best of them all was this lilting, versatile record by Wizkid. Guest stars from across the Black Atlantic – Skepta and Ella Mai from the UK, HER from the US, Damian Marley and Projexx from Jamaica – create the sense of a diasporic dialogue, where reggae, dancehall, rap and Afro-swing seamlessly and sensually intertwine.

may just be very stoned but there's some three dimensional sound design going on here

also i fucking love this album

the sound design is indeed incredible and sooo lush

Brad, ufo, others, did you watch the YouTube concert I posted two weeks ago? it’s such a vibe and yes, lush.

i only watched some of it but what i did watch was great. even the weaker tracks on the album like "mighty wine" came across even better live

Could we perhaps try to agree on one or two Wiz tunes for the EOY 77? I fear vote splitting might become an issue with this album. So many good songs.

def voting for this album, but my wizkid song will likely be dj tunez' "cool me down"

sorry longneck, i know wizkid would want us all to come together

will def vote for “No Stress”, and probably also for either “Cool Me Down” or “Pami” (torn between those non-identical twin songs). “True Love” also one of my fave songs of the year, but three Wizzy tracks is probably too much.

three Wizzy tracks is never too much obv, but *voting for three* probably is

I can get behind No Stress but I'm not sure it is the best song on the album.

it’s def its best single tho

not sure why we’re even discussing vot(esplitt)ing when we haven’t even done the nominations yet. not sure I’m a fan of this pre-poll/pre-nom thing.

A Wizkid special from Nigerian music mag The Native:

https://thenativemag.com/cover-story/wizmag

I watched the YouTube concert the other night, and it was awesome. Plus I don't think there's a minute of this album I don't love now

I can understand the love for this record, but after repeated listens over the past few months, I've found that it's just not for me. There's no dynamics? It's so slick that it just passes by like nothing happened, not a single track stands out for me. That would be fine if this was ambient music, maybe, but this is supposed to be pop, and I find it completely unremarkable.

duly noted

ride on time: video for "Essence" with Tems:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jipQpjUA_o8

.@wizkidayo’s “Essence” (ft. Tems) has debuted at #25 on Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart! 🤯🔥

This is Starboy’s fifth entry on the chart, extending his record as the African artist with the most entries here — his second as lead. #MADEINLAGOS baby!!!! 🥳🎉🥳🎊 pic.twitter.com/fypElEm4g1

— MIL - OUT NOW 🌍 (@WizkidSource) June 4, 2021

also here’s the first Wizkid sighting of the year, from Lojay’s fantastic new EP with Sarz:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t4IEaUhIuCs
Lojay & Sarz ft. Wizkid • LV N ATTN

Lojay’s reaction on first hearing Wizzy’s feature on his track: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqW37gmxJoU

Nice to see Essence lasting this long. A true highlight on a great, great album.

apple music has some sort master version of this up now, they need to continue to develop new technologies so i can continue hear this record in better fashion over time

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ_oCO-CSam/?utm_medium=copy_link

North American tour dates

got my new york tickets a few weeks ago B-)

Yeah that’s more like it. I’m in.

I know, tomorrow is More Love Less Ego day, but I would just like to alert people to the new Masego single, "Say You Want Me", which is co-produced by P2J. very relevant to our recent afropop/beats-influencing-r&b discussion. check the rolling r&b 2022 thread.

🟣MORE LOVE LESS EGO🟩

it’s out, I listened to it, it’s great! - my first impressions.

I’d describe it as Made In Lagos - The 2022 Upgrade: More Log Less Languid

MiL_The Update: P2J is all over it, again. Juls has one track, again. “2 Sugar” is “Essence” with Ayra instead of Tems.
but: it’s even better sounding and more gloriously produced, and Wizzy’s vocals and phrasing are exquisite.

More Log Less Languid: most of the album sounds very piano-informed, without ever really going there. there’s only one track that out-pianos “Bad To Me”, that’s “Plenty Loving”, it’s a hit and an absolute highlight.

other highlights at first pass: Kel P’s “Balance” and P.Priime’s “Pressure”, plus P2J x Sammy Soso (who?)’s “Flower Pads”.
Soso also co-wrote “Bad To Me”, think he’s a (Nigerian) UK (or even Irish?) guy.

listening now and it's very good so far, keeping the same vibe as made in lagos with just the addition of some amapiano touches is a great formula

Sonically very much a continuation and I like all of it, although highlights seem less obvious (no No Stress / Ginger / Essence) and that Skillibeng really doesn't work on light touch soulful piano :)
Highlights on first listens for me are Balance, Pressure, Plenty Loving, and Frames. I'm warming up on Bad to me too. Deep and Flower Pads really slick in the middle.

This is pretty wonderful! It is hard to pick highlights, but that's down to consistency not quality. Gonna follow Nabozo's lead and make that observation followed by a list of highlights:
--Kel P's production on Balance gets into a glorious pure ear candy zone at one point, god he's good
--Everyday
--Skillibeng and Shenseea sound *really* good (I was worried), prob the best track I've heard her on in a while. I guess you could lose Skilli with no harm done, but you need to sandpaper to make things smooth iirc
--Then there's a batch of songs that all rule but I lost track of which were which: Deep, Flower Pads, Pressure. I'm sure their individual strengths will emerge after more time.
--I like how Special changes things up a bit at the end, the relative spareness really works after luxuriating for the preceding 11

My mild "really doesn't work" is Skepta, whose voice always sounds out of place on afropop to me, sorry to say, but even that is far from a problem: that track is still very good.

I didn't think 2 Sugar even came close to besting Essence (and Ayra << Tems imo), but I need to listen to it again.

Overall this exceeded my expectations, maybe by a lot. I'm not there yet, but there could be a "better than MiL?" convo to be had

the jazzy fadeout on Frames is a really lovely finishing touch too

Loving this but you already knew that. Will stay on repeat throughout the weekend.

The skillibeng feature is great btw

the songwriting here def isn't as immediate... even putting "essence" aside there isn't anything as instantly memorable as "true love," "no stress" or "mood." but we're talking about one of the best albums released in the last 10-20 years so i'm not tripping off him being able to hit those same heights again. a lot of this sounded pretty great to me... the skillibeng & shenseea track was actually my fav the first few times thru. i think it gets better towards the end actually which is always nice. the way they bend don tolliver's parts at points to where it almost sounds like a sample is nifty, and "frames" is a wonderful closer.

i like that he stuck really close to the sound of made in lagos... aside from just being perhaps the ideal form for music period i do think that they show here there was a bit more for them to explore texturally, whether it's the itchiness of "bad for me" or folding some amapiano in, the guitar line on "special" which feels like a nod to fela-era afrobeat

Team Wizzy going straight for the Essence 2 (Sugar) jugular:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_oenl2Be-w

(no, the songs aren’t all that similar, but the concept is)

I agree that MiL is probably the better album with the stronger songs. There is also the sense that MiL sounded right for its covid stricken time - it was an indoor album, whereas the anthemic wave we're seeing now is all about release and the urge to go out. Buuuut... Wizkid makes it all sound so effortless anyway. Like MiL, this is an album you can live with and live in.

This is a lot more... dense. So far I kinda miss the open air spaces of MiL, but it has its own grooves.

think Wizkid might be doing a live thing on Apple Music right now:

We are live https://t.co/5hYhlW3WcX 🖤

— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) November 14, 2022

(I don’t have AM, so please tell me how it was later!

believe it’s the recording of the concert he played in london a few weeks back

i think this one is about equal honestly, i really love the amapiano-lite sound, it's probably more consistent overall but made in lagos had higher highs?

first impression: vibes and sound design are immaculate once again but made in lagos maybe had stronger songs?

the highs on this will probably grow on me, but the important thing is that he’s created another sonic world that i love swimming in

extremely otm

dj hyping up the crowd for the Wizkid show with hardcore piano ✅

DJ Tunez on stage ✅

okay, so now we have Eugy 💹

welcome, Pheelz ❇️

move over for L.A.X 🈯️

hey, Idaly repping for the NL 🔰

Wiz made it ♻️♻️♻️

this is a perfect fit for summer

i like how direct and snappy-feeling this is, gets in, bangs, gets out

as you may have inferred, I saw the man live last week. like Burna earlier this year, he sold out the biggest indoor (17,000-capacity) venue in Amsterdam.
it was a good-to-great show, quite different from what I expected. not some kind of MiL/MLLE suite at all, but a rough and tumble rollercoaster ride through his oeuvre, with pyrotechnics and stuff.
he covered most bases, there were unexpected inclusions: “In My Bed”, “Daddy Yo”, “Azonto” (yes!), and some surprising omissions (“Manya” for one). highlight was a blistering rendition of “Show You The Money”.
off the new album he only did “Money & Love”, “Bad To Me”, “2 Sugar”, and (surprisingly) “Flower Pads”, off Made in Lagos it was just “Ginger”, “Mood” and “Essence” (no “True Love” unfortunately). those he played with his band, the old hits were soundtracked by DJ Tunez. “Slow Down” (the R2bees slow jam) and “The Matter” (with Maleek Berry) are possibly his favourite oldies, he did both twice - and all through this he was in very fine voice.

all in all tho, I have to say I found him less… generous than the first time I saw him, in 2016. not just because the set was only slightly over an hour this time, also because he was less outgoing, just generic interaction with the crowd and no interaction with his band at all.

Thanks for that report, bc! He's playing in Montreal this spring at a big venue but tickets are surprisingly cheap (or at least the cheapest tier isn't bad), so I was considering it even though I haven't been to a show like this...ever really.

just do it, rob, it will be fun! the vibe will be great, no matter what, and you’ll get to catch Wizzy live. it just might be the best show he’ll ever give!

I’m really loving the album btw. after a slight lull I’m fully on board with it again now. the initial rush was very much sound palette-centered, but now it’s more about individual songs that are making cases for themselves. my new favourites are “Deep” (the only track I hadn’t saved after the first pass lol), “Flower Pads” and especially “Frames (Who’s Gonna Now)”, which is the real gem here imo. if we’re talking about songwriting, I feel that’s a song people will be wanting to cover (or interpolate or whatever). it has a pretty unique structure too, with the way the main elements meander through the song.

yeah last time I listened I was struck by how well it ends, opening up a bit on the way out