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Released on November 22, 2024, Morayo is a deeply personal project dedicated to Wizkid’s late mother, reflecting his growth as an artist and individual. It blends Afrobeat with global influences, featuring 16 tracks and collaborations with artists like Asake, Brent Faiyaz, Jazmine Sullivan, and Tiakola. The album is hailed for its introspective themes and innovative production.

Track-by-Track Breakdown

1. Troubled Mind

The album opens with the voice of the legendary K1 De Ultimate, praising Wizkid and saying the whole Nigerian entertainment industry sends their greetings. Troubled mind is a reflective, downtempo track that delves into grief and healing. He addresses mental health and resilience with lyrics "Say, the blood for my eye and the pain for my mind, mo le ṣàlàyé". Wizkid’s minimalist delivery emphasizes emotional depth, setting the tone for a heartfelt album.

2. Karamo

Pakuromo 2.0? A celebration of joy and African pride, "Karamo" showcases intricate Afrobeat percussion with an infectious chorus that evokes dancing. It reflects the Afrobeat culture, where dancing is not just entertainment but an expression of happiness and connection

3. Kese (Dance)

Dance, Gbedu! We all agree that Wizkid is a party freak. Local or International, Ibrahim just wants to "Sha manya" and "Spray the money plenty". A vibrant party anthem, blending Afrobeat and highlife influences, perfect for celebrations. Kese (Dance) is already a fan-favorite on streaming platforms.

4. Bad Girl (ft. Asake)

This duo first gave us MMS and the country turned upside down. Now they're back with a club banger. Wizkid and Asake deliver a blend of Afrobeat and Fuji, creating a raw yet melodic vibe that connects traditional Nigerian sounds with global music. Let's leave Wizkid for a sec. We really want to know the girl that makes Asake have headache and need a massage. We've also been trying to find the meaning of "Two for front, somersault". This song is for all bad girls all over the world. "If you do my own I got you" (winks eye)

5. Time

Wizkid takes us on a love trip from here. This soulful piece explores themes of love and sex backed by smooth guitar riffs and calming rhythms. Wizkid blends romantic imagery with informal expressions. The song revolves around deep affection, intimacy, and emotional vulnerability. Wizkid expresses his love and devotion, emphasizing how this connection keeps his spirit alive. The tone is passionate, sensual, and uplifting.

6. Piece of My Heart (ft. Brent Faiyaz)

If there was a duo we never thought we needed, it's Big Wiz and Sonder Son. A standout R&B collaboration, this track combines Wizkid’s melodic Afrobeat flow with Brent Faiyaz’s sultry vocals for a cross-continental hit. Piece of My Heart showcases the artists' musical chemistry and their ability to create a captivating and emotional listening experience. The love trip continues.

7. Break Me Down

A raw and vulnerable track that explores love’s challenges, backed by mellow production that accentuates Wizkid’s emotional delivery. Wizkid explores the tension between desire and emotional openness, asking how the other person can "break him down" while revealing his devotion. The song combines seductive energy with introspective reflection.

8. Bend

This song doesn't need any explanation. Club-ready, this shina-inspired track, features pulsating beats and a carefree vibe, making it perfect for dance floors globally. According to Wizkid at his only-female album release party in London, he says " I made this song specially for your nyash. So when you hear this song just shake your nyash, shake your nyash".

P.S: shina informally means sex, sexual pleasure

9. A Million Blessings

First off, P2J is genius. The transition from Bend to this song was extremely exquisite. A spiritually uplifting track that fuses gratitude with celebration, radiating positivity and hope. In the chorus, Wizkid calls on God ("Ọlọrun") for more blessings, repeating his gratitude and acknowledging the favor in his life. In the second verse, the reference to "nine lives" suggests his ability to overcome obstacles, while the "bad vibe" in the form of opposition is something he's learned to rise above. The line "big bag for the stress" alludes to both the wealth he’s accumulated and the hardships he’s faced. The track is an anthem of success, self-confidence, and perseverance, with Wizkid embracing both the rewards of his hard work and the challenges he's overcome.

10. Après Minuit (ft. Tiakola)

Tiakola almost snatched this song from Wizkid but e too sure for Baba Bolu. The title translates to "After Midnight," and the song exudes a sensual, late-night energy, combining elements of Afrobeat and French rap with smooth, atmospheric vibes. The French-Nigerian crossover delivers urban vibes with a sleek production, highlighting Tiakola's harmonies alongside Wizkid’s verses. "Après Minuit" is one of the standout tracks for its cross-cultural fusion, much like Made in Lagos introduced various international sounds.

11. Bad For You (ft. Jazmine Sullivan)

An Afrobeat-neosoul fusion, where Jazmine’s rich vocals and Wizkid’s laid-back delivery explore love’s complexities with grace. In "Bad For You", the chorus by Jazmine Sullivan conveys a sense of longing and irresistible attraction, even though both parties acknowledge that their relationship is not good for them. The lyrics "I know that you're bad for me, I'll be bad for you too" express a mutual recognition of the toxic dynamic, but the physical and emotional pull between them is too strong to resist. This track is a standout on Morayo, praised for its smooth fusion of Afrobeat and R&B, and for the vocal chemistry between Wizkid and Jazmine Sullivan.

12. Soji

Soji seems to have the makings of another infectious hit, blending intimate moments with the energy of Afrobeats. The repetition of catchy phrases in the chorus and the affectionate lyrics elevate the song, making it relatable to fans who appreciate Wizkid's smooth, engaging style. Soji presents a playful and intimate exploration of love and admiration. In the song, Wizkid expresses his deep affection for a woman who embodies the perfect balance of fun and sophistication.

13. Don’t Care

We all know Wizkid to be carefree. Mr Ayodeji Balogun no dey send anybody. "Don't Care" by Wizkid expresses a carefree attitude towards external judgment and negativity, embracing confidence and gratitude for life’s blessings. Wizkid begins by acknowledging that no matter how dark things get, his inner light can't be extinguished. Despite the transient nature of people and trends ("Many come and go"), Wizkid asserts his dedication to living life "on low," implying that he remains grounded and unaffected by the temporary noise around him. The repetition of "I don't care" in the chorus reinforces his unwavering mindset.

14. Slow (ft. Anaïs Cardot)

If you've been looking for the voice of the lady on Asake's "My Heart", we're here to introduce you to Anais Cardot, the French-Gabonese singer-songwriter, blending influences from both her French and African heritage. Slow" by Wizkid featuring Anaïs Cardot features smooth, romantic lyrics that emphasize taking time in a relationship, rejecting rush or pressure, and enjoying each other at a comfortable pace. Anaïs' chorus expresses the need for genuine love without playing games, suggesting that if the connection isn't sincere, it’s better to let go. Her lines "No ride or die, better love me or leave me" suggest she’s uninterested in superficial relationships. Both artists bring their unique style, with Anaïs adding her soulful touch and Wizkid maintaining his signature smooth flow.

15. Lose

As one of the more emotional tracks on the album, "Lose" offers a deep reflection on love and loss, making it a poignant addition to the project, which is a tribute to his late mother. The line "Run my race, yeah, I gotta run my race" highlights the theme of resilience, while "Elédùmarè, reduce my stress" calls on a higher power to ease his burdens. An emotional ballad exploring vulnerability, this track stands out for its deeply personal lyrics and stripped-down production.

16. Pray

This life ehn, "omo na long thing". The song, like much of Morayo, seems to be influenced by Wizkid's desire to reflect on his journey and connect emotionally with his audience. Wizkid acknowledges the hardships of his journey, including the persistence of "sapa" (poverty), but maintains a strong belief in divine intervention, praying to God to protect him and keep his success on course. In the pre-chorus and verses, Wizkid reflects on his rise from humble beginnings—moving from Shitta (a part of Lagos) to the more affluent Christ Avenue, symbolizing his rise in status. He recalls the early days of his career in 2011, noting that his success was always destined, and his mantra of "no opportunity will pass by" shows his relentless determination. The closing track is a spiritual reflection on life, blending Afrobeat and gospel elements for a powerful conclusion.

Wizkid’s Morayo is a masterful blend of introspection, innovation, and Afrobeat excellence, reflecting his evolution as an artist while maintaining his cultural roots. This album solidifies Wizkid’s place as a pioneer of Afrobeat while pushing his artistry to new depths. A solid 10/10. Reception has been positive, with critics highlighting its global appeal and refined artistry. Wizkid himself declared Morayo his best work, aiming to expand Afrobeats' reach even further.

Emaxee, also known as Oke Emmanuel, is a Nigerian creative who gained attention with his 2020 track “It’s Not My Fault (Me vs The Educational System),” addressing educational struggles. He has released projects like Oranges & Lemonade and the 2022 EP There Are No Rules To This, showcasing his Afrobeat and rap styles while exploring various creative roles, including music executive and designer.

Hello Emaxee, it’s a pleasure to have you with us today. I’m Ayo from Solid Guy Magazine, and we’re thrilled to chat with someone who has made remarkable strides both as an artist and a music executive. We’ve been following your journey closely and are excited to learn more about your experiences and future plans.

To start, could you tell us about your early days in music and what initially motivated you to pursue this career?”

Answer:

“I grew up in Ido Osun, where I always found myself involved in entertainment activities at school, whether it was acting in drama or organizing small productions. My passion for creativity kept growing, and I often tried new things, even though my mom wasn’t supportive of rap at first. Over time, I started balancing music with other skills like designing and editing pictures and videos. This made me quite popular in school, and I even started building talent communities to nurture others.”

- Emaxee, you haven’t released singles since your 2022 EP There Are No Rules To This. Could you share what led to this creative pause?

“No excuses; I needed a break to relax and deal with some personal matters. It was essential to take some time off to recharge.”

- How did you come up with the concept for Notesphere, and what inspired its distinctive approach?

“Actually, the idea originated from TobyBanksz back in 2022 when I was working as a designer at Upperent. Toby was instrumental in fostering the creative community there, and I resonated with the vision. I became a co-founder and have been deeply involved in its development since.”

- Your music often explores societal issues, such as in your track ‘Me vs The Educational System’. What message do you aim to convey with these songs?

“I wanted my music to be an honest reflection of my experiences and perspectives. With tracks like that, it’s about sharing my view of the world and hoping others can relate to the challenges and truths I express.”

- You’ve transitioned from making music to working behind the scenes as a music executive. How has this shift aligned with your personal goals?

“This isn’t a recent change; I’ve always juggled both sides of the industry, whether it was managing a producer, editing photos, or handling logistics. It’s not easy, and not everyone understands my approach, but I’ve learned to navigate the challenges.”

- Looking back, what were the toughest aspects of creating There Are No Rules To This, and how did you manage them?

“Honestly, there weren’t many challenges. I did spend my house rent on another project, Oranges & Lemonade, which pushed me to complete the album in three days. I was actually staying with a friend when it dropped, and I was genuinely surprised by the positive reaction.”

- There are multiple versions of the song ‘About 22’. What drove you to make these variations? “I was searching for the right sound to reignite my passion for music. I even aimed for a collaboration with Buju but wasn’t ready to let go of the song until I found the right fit.”

- Given your diverse experiences in the industry, what advice do you have for emerging artists who are navigating both the creative and business aspects?

“Stay focused on the creative process, but don’t neglect the business side. Be intentional about your craft, build solid relationships, and maintain consistency. It’s crucial to be deliberate about your journey.”

- Should we expect new projects or collaborations soon, and do you plan to release more music in the near future?

Yes o!! I fit drop album tomorrow. It’s a break, being a music exco is what i love doing right now. When I’m ready, I’ll put out songs. For now, I’m enjoying my role as a music executive with Notesphere and other ventures, including fashion. When the time is right, I’ll be back with new music.”

Thank you, Emaxee, for sharing your story and insights. It’s been a pleasure learning about your journey, and we’re excited to see what’s next. Wishing you all the best in your future projects. Remember to Stay Solid!

Pinky Pecks delivers on her promise of a masterpiece, silencing critics with her sizzling new collaboration, ‘Labadi Turn Up.’ This epic tune was made for the Ga fraternity and the denizens of Labadi, featuring a Ghanaian music legend from the city, Tinny. The new song is available to stream worldwide in music stores here: https://inmusicdistro.fanlink.tv/LabadiTurnUp

After weeks of hype and online buzz, ‘Labadi Turn Up’ arrives with the full force of the sea, bringing a timeless dancehall anthem that sways everyone from children to adults, including Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Y to Alpha. It is a song brewed to make history for the people of Labadi, and the addition of Ga Rap King, Tinny, makes this a no-brainer.

There is a lot to love. The infectious energy the two stars create is attention-grabbing, poised to spread from door to door, speaker to speaker, and dare we say, across the globe! Both deliver a high-octane performance that blends Tinny’s old-school swagger with Pinky’s new-school energy, offering audiences the best of both worlds.

Speaking about the song, the star shared, “Tinny is a true son of Labadi. Releasing this song without him would’ve been disrespectful. He held the city down in his prime, so it was only right to include him. I wanted to use this song to honor an old-school legend, re-affirming the lost art of Sankofa.”

Pinky Pecks, a native of Labadi, was born and raised in this vibrant community. In honor of her roots, she has created a song that appeals to both the young and the young at heart. The emergent Queen of Ghanaian Dancehall music expresses pride in her heritage, and while there are several artists from La, none do it like her.

‘Labadi Turn Up’ is a must-have for DJs. It showcases why Pinky Pecks is a force to be reckoned with in the industry, retaining a little DNA from Kaaki’s ‘DC Turn Up’ thanks to Linguakat’s writing, IvanBeatz’s production, and UBeatz’smixing and mastering quality.

Connect with Pinky Pecks and Tinny on social media:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/pinkypecks/

X (Twitter): https://x.com/PinkyPecks
Facebook: https://facebook.com/spolightgyal

X (Twitter): https://x.com/BardManTinny
Facebook: https://facebook.com/BardManTinny

Grammy award-winning R&B star Eric Bellinger and renowned Jamaican artist Konshens join forces to deliver ‘Special,’ a captivating new collaboration that fuses R&B, Dancehall and Afrobeats. This single is an anthem celebrating the irreplaceable woman of their dreams, highlighting deep admiration and affection for someone truly one of a kind. Listen here: https://ericbellinger.lnk.to/special

‘Special’ captures the emotional depth of a once-in-a-lifetime connection, where fate plays a pivotal role. The lyrics reflect how some relationships come together at the perfect moment. Both Eric Bellinger and Konshensdescribe their muse as someone to cherish and hold dear. With themes of love, desire, and destiny, the track emphasizes the rarity and significance of finding your “special lady.”

The music video, shot in Los Angeles by the legendary director Rage Films, is full of energy and excitement from start to finish. With stunning visuals, eye candy, stylish outfits to high production values, fans of Eric and Konshens are in for a treat. The beautifully shot video also features fun choreography, serving as the perfect cherry on top.

Ahead of the release, the American singer and producer, shares on their first collaboration, “I’m super excited about this collaboration. I’ve been releasing traditional R&B my entire career and it’s been great, but this new shift has me more excited than ever. The music feels fresh & my hunger has been renewed. With this reinvention, I feel like a new artist again,” adding, “I’ve been a fan and friend of Konshens for years now. With me experimenting with this new sound, we both felt it was the perfect time for us to collaborate. We’ve both been killin' it in our own lanes so it just made so much sense for us to come together and keep it in the family.”

Konshens shares his excitement about working with Eric Bellinger, praising the authenticity and creativity behind the project. Reflecting on his experience, Konshensreveals, “Eric played the project for me, and I was blown away by how tapped in he is and how authentic it feels, that South Africa trip really did a number on him. When he asked me to jump on ‘Special,’ I thought it was already a smash! I went into the booth and let the music lead me.”

For Konshens, ‘Special’ marks a unique blend of R&B, Dancehall, and Afrobeat—genres he has never combined in one project before. “I’ve done R&B x Dancehall and I’ve done Afro x Dancehall, but never the triple threat,” he adds. Praising Eric Bellinger’s musical genius, Konshens highlights the collaborative spirit behind the track and looks forward to how the song will resonate with listeners. While this collaboration showcases a fresh creative synergy, Konshens also teases his own upcoming album, describing it as a whole different ball game, a blend of his original while introducing a new version of himself - “It’s gonna be fun.”

Eric, also renowned as a songwriter to the stars, says of the Afrobeats influenced track produced by Junaid Baker, “I love the substance mixed with simplicity. The choppy melodies with the anthemic chants. The soulful sounds combined with the feel good energy.”

Many will remember Eric’s global viral moment during Usher’s NPR performance. He reflects on the ripple effect, stating, “Since then so many new doors have opened. When the Tiny Desk first dropped I was getting requests to perform the Usher’s song “Superstar” on a number of occasions! Many more interviews, shows, and collaboration opportunities have also come my way.”

Now, he’s ready for his next big breakthrough with the release of his highly anticipated album, ‘It’ll All Make Sense Later’, set for November 22, 2024. Eric recently traveled to South Africa to immerse himself in the culture as he carefully crafted the album and its latest track. Though he returned home physically, his mind and heart stayed with the land that deeply inspired him. It’s from this transformative experience that his upcoming album was born. Eric teases that the new album will be a little different from his former projects, “I’ve always stayed pretty true to R&B in the past whether it be slow or uptempo/club or bedroom vibes lol. But with this project I felt the need to dance. To celebrate. To be triumphant. Each project I’ve always challenged myself to see what I could do next and the first place my heart chose to go was Afro!”

Eric Bellinger’s journey had been a remarkable evolution from the streets of Compton to becoming an international sensation. Marked by his Grammy-winning artistry and prolific songwriting skills. Hailing from a musical lineage as the grandson of Bobby Day, a hit songwriter for the Jackson 5, Eric followed in his footsteps writing for an array of A-List artists and creating his own incredible catalog of music. He has collaborated with major artists like Usher, Justin Bieber and Ne-Yo, both as a songwriter and co-singer.

ABOUT ERIC BELLINGER

Eric Bellinger is a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and producer. Best known for his hits like ‘Valet’ featuring Fetty Wap & 2 Chainz, ‘G.O.A.T’featuring Aroc and “Type a Way” featuring Chris Brown and OG Parker, Eric has released over 300 songs across 40 albums. BKs greatest chart-topper to date is ‘G.O.A.T’, which has earned millions of streams globally, contributing to BKs impressive catalog that has surpassed 1.5 million streams. Eric is known for his support of social issues like mental health awareness, the importance of Black artists and community development in underserved areas. His recent performances have included festivals like One Musicfest in Atlanta and the R&B Only Fest in Los Angeles.

ABOUT KONSHENS

Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica, Konshensdeveloped a deep love for music at an early age, influenced by the rich cultural and musical heritage of his homeland. Konshens first gained international recognition with his breakout hit ‘Winner’ in 2005. His unique blend of Reggae, Dancehall and Contemporary Urban Sounds have earned him a diverse and dedicated fan base. There is no genre and musical styles off limits to this proven global hit maker. Since exploding on the music scene, the Jamaican-born recording artist, deejay and performer has become one of the few true icons in Dancehall, Reggae, and Global music. He is also actively involved in philanthropic efforts, using his platform to support various charitable causes and initiatives aimed at uplifting communities in Jamaica and beyond.

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