Afrobeats star Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has officially announced November 22 as the release date of his much-awaited album 'Morayo'.
Wizkid confirmed the release date in a post on X on Friday, writing with his signature “bigger bird” emoji, “Morayo pre-save album! November 22.”
Morayo, a Nigerian Yoruba word for 'I See Joy', will be released via Starboy/Sony Music International/RCA Records, Billboard reports.
Morayo 'Best album ever'
The 34-year-old singer himself has described 'Morayo' as the “best work” he has ever created.
Through various trailers and frequently cryptic posts by
This announcement follows the Friday release of his breakout single, “Piece of My Heart,” featuring American soul artist Brent Faiyaz, which has already raised anticipation for the project.
The “Essence” hitmaker has been selective with his collaborations this year, also appearing on Asake’s song “MMS” from “Lungu Boy” and Shenseea’s “Work Me Out” from her album “Never Gets Late Here.” .
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'Morayo' is a deeply personal project for Wizkid, which he dedicated to his late mother, Jane Morayo Balogun, who died in 2023 at the age of 66.
In June, the singer revealed that the album is a tribute to his mother, saying: “My album 'Morayo', dedicated to my mother, the love of my life, will be out very soon. Don't get bored. “Don’t sleep.”
The project is expected to reflect Wizkid's emotional journey after his death, and fans are anticipating a raw and heartfelt work. With 'Morayo', Wizkid is set to further solidify his legacy as a global music icon, blending Afrobeats and R&B into his signature style.
Albums timeline
Before Morayo, Wizkid had already released five major studio albums, each of which marked key moments in his rise to stardom. His debut album, Superstar (2011), launched him to fame in Nigeria with hits like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Pakurumo.”
His second album, Ayo (2014), further solidified his presence in the music industry, featuring iconic tracks like “Ojuelegba” and “Jaiye Jaiye.” In 2017, he made his international breakthrough with Sounds from the Other Side, blending Afrobeats with pop and R&B and collaborating with global artists such as Drake and Chris Brown.
Their fourth album, Made in Lagos (2020), elevated their global success, especially with the hit single “Essence” featuring Tems, which received international praise and helped propel Afrobeats into the global spotlight. In 2022, Wizkid followed up with More Love, Less Ego, showcasing his distinctive blend of Afrobeats and R&B while maintaining his international chart presence.
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Throughout his career, the Lagos-born singer has played a pivotal role in bringing Afrobeats to the international stage, from his breakthrough debut 'Superstar' in 2011 to his landmark collaboration with Drake on 'One Dance' , which topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned him two Guinness World Records.
His contribution to global music has earned him several accolades, including a Grammy Award for his work on Beyoncé's “Brown Skin Girl.”