Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, the Nigerian songster who goes by the stage name of Wizkid, began his musical adventures as part of a church group called the Glorious Five. It has been many year since then, and the songster has released many songs.
His career evolution is something that should interest scholars someday because, of the Glorious Five group, he is the only member who made it nationally and internationally. Not much is heard of and even spoken about other members of the group today.
At any rate, Wizkid has apparently made great use of his talents and is justly recognized for his contributions to global pop.
For one who has been in the industry for over a decade, Wizkid has got a trove to his name. Looking back, one might say he was more productive when he was much younger. At the moment, the songster appears to be taking his time with the numbers.
One cannot begrudge him this decision, however, as he has now matured as an artiste and put out numbers richer in musical appeal.
On the whole, he might be counted among artistes with the richest catalogues in Nigerian music. So picking an all-time best from this catalogue might not be as easy as it appears.
Anyway, you might want to walk along with us as we share some ten songs we think have the greatest appeal from what he has released since he popped on the music scene in Nigeria.
As you probably already know, lists are subjective, and the world may never quite agree on what his best songs are. Well, here you go… The songs are given in no particular order.
Top 10 All-time Wizkid Songs
1. Ojuelegba
“Ojuelegba” is one of the songs in the Nigerian artiste’s eponymous album “Ayo” (released 2014). The song details the songster’s struggles in his quest to make it in musician.
By his own admission, he had roamed the town of Ojuelegba in his quest to fulfill his music dreams. He immortalized the town of his struggles in the song which is today recognized as one of his finest. The song was produced by Legendury Beatz.
The song had great traction on Nigeria’s afrobeat universe leading to an official remix featuring contributions from the Canadian rapper Drake and his English counterpart Skepta.
It may have been years since he released the song, but “Ojuelegba” is one song you cannot pass over in the story of the making of Wizkid from an obscure small-town figure to a global superstar.
2. Essence
“Essence” is a new single from Wizkid, a part of his recently released “Made In Lagos” album. That body of work was expected for over a year. But it wasn’t until late 2020 that Wizkid decided to release it. A beautiful compilation. Not surprising, it was chosen as one of the albums that made 2020 bearable for the world.
In “Essence,” which features Tems, you have one of the soaraway tracks in that body of work.
3. Soco
The Northboi–produced song is one of Wizkid’s most notable to date. It was a collaborative work with artistes on the Starboy Record label, including Terri, Spotless, and Ceeza Milli. The song has a music video produced by Clarence Peters.
Interestingly, at the time of release, “Soco” became one of the most searched terms on Google in Nigeria.
4. Fever
“Fever” was a collaborative work with Tiwa Savage, with whom he was rumoured to be having an amorous relationship at the time. But Tiwa Savage denies a relationship with him.
True to its title, the music video actually gave Nigerians a high fever at the time of release because of its near-osculatory displays and generally raunchy scenes. The video reached over a million views on YouTube in less than 24 hours – a record at the time.
5. Joro
This Northboi-produced song has got a splendid beat that draws you into its orbit again and again.
6. Pakurumo
“Pakurumo” is one song from Wizkid’s kitty that’s still of robust appeal several years after it was release. The Samklef-produced song easily finds a spot among the songster’s most notable to date.
7. On Top of Your Matter
“On Top of Your Matter” is one for the wedding crowd and one that’s still fresh years after it was released.
8. Jaiye Jaiye (Feat. Femi Kuti)
“Jaiye Jaiye” is song of massive afrobeat appeal. The work of two great figures in the genre, it remains a song to return to over and over.
9. Show You The Money
This song is Wizkid’s take on the good life. It was released while he was on Banky W’s Empire Mate Entertainment.
10. Final (Baba Nla)
Released in 2015, this Legendury Beatz-produced tune flies on flutes and keyboard notes.
What do you make of the songs on our list? Would you have adopted them all as well? Or perhaps you would have drawn up your own list? You might want to share your thoughts in the comment section below.
