Wizkid Albums Ranked: The Highs, Lows, And Must-Listens

Wizkid albums have played a pivotal role in shaping Afrobeats, showcasing his evolution from a breakout star to a global icon. With a career spanning over a decade, Wizkid has crafted a discography that blends Afrobeats with R&B, dancehall, and pop, creating a signature sound that resonates worldwide. His ability to push sonic boundaries while staying true to his roots has cemented his legacy as one of the most influential African artists of his generation.

For both new listeners and longtime fans, exploring Wizkid albums is a journey through different eras of Afrobeats. From his debut album Superstar, which introduced him as a fresh voice in Nigerian music, to Made in Lagos, the project that solidified his place in the global mainstream, each album offers something unique. This guide will help you navigate Wizkid’s back catalogue, highlighting the essential albums that define his artistry.

The Album to Start With

Superstar (2011)

Wizkid’s debut album Superstar represents the explosive emergence of a generational talent. Released when he was just 21, this album catapulted him from a national music sensation to one of the most important voices in Afrobeats as the Starboy, as we would later come to know him and established him as a fresh new voice in Nigerian pop music. 

The lead single Holla at Your Boy, quickly became a smash hit and an instant classic as Wizkid showcased his smooth vocals and irresistible melodies. Records like Tease Me demonstrated his maturity beyond his years as well as his ability to attack complex musical arrangements with playful lyrics and swagger. 

The album is a melting pot of sounds drawing from Afrobeats, R&B, and Eurodance. Samklef handled a chunk of the production, crafting a sound that was both distinctly Nigerian and with a hint of international appeal that would later define Wizkid’s illustrious career. 

As one of the standout Wizkid albums, Superstar captures the relentless energy of a young artist destined for greatness with songs like Don’t Dull, No Lele, Gidi Girl, and Scatter the Floor, showcasing Wizkid’s swaggering confidence and hinting at the international star he desired to become. 

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Superstar was more than just an album; it was an emphatic statement of arrival announcing the record-breaking, history-making, groundbreaking face of Afrobeats.

The Three Wizkid Albums to Listen to Next

Made in Lagos Deluxe (2021)

The crown jewel among Wizkid albums, this most commercially acclaimed album represents the beat execution of his artistic vision. Released at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, the album is a seamless and atmospheric exploration of love and sex with brief discussions relating to family. The album showcased Afrobeats global potential and cemented Afrobeats place as a mainstream genre, breaking the glass ceiling that was the Billboard Hot 100. Featuring collaborations with Burna Boy, Skepta, Ella Mai, Damian Marley, and H.E.R., Wizkid showcased his ability to create music that transcends geographical boundaries.

Standout records like Essence became a global hit, cementing Wizkid’s status as Afrobeats most important voice and opening the door for the new vanguard of Nigerian superstars to become internationally acclaimed superstars, with acts like Rema, Fireboy, and Tems going on to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.

Ayo (2014)

Many have argued that this album is the most important of all Wizkid albums and it’s difficult to disagree. His second studio album further expanded his musical vision and marked his transition from a local sensation to an international sensation. Records like Jaiye Jaiye featuring Femi Kuti, On Top Your Matter, Caro, For You, and Ojuelegba excellently blended traditional Nigerian sounds with contemporary pop, while Show You the Money featuring Tyga hinted at his global ambitions.

Sound from the Other Side (2017)

Arguably the most intriguing of all Wizkid albums, his international crossover project made no secret of Wizkid’s insatiable quest for international acclaim as the Starboy alienated his core audience in a bid to craft an album that better served his ambitions. The result is Wizkid’s best-written yet underappreciated album. Featuring collaborations with Drake, Ty Dolla $ign, and Chris Brown, the project marked a significant moment in Wizkid’s career as he began to enjoy the international acceptance he craved. The album is Wizkid at his visionary best as he hinted at the potential of Afrobeats with contemporary R&B and Caribbean elements, demonstrating Wizkid’s futuristic artistic vision.

The Dud

More Love, Less Ego (2022)

This album continued the exploration of the lush R&B fusion that caught the attention of the world with Made in Lagos, this time incorporating Amapiano elements as Wizkid attempted to deliver an album that better served his Nigerian audience. Marred by insufficient songwriting and familiar flows, the album failed to establish any sort of connection with the mass market and stands as the least appealing of all Wizkid albums.