In this blog post, we mention some of the best Afrobeat songs by Wizkid. The Ojuelegba sensation is undoubtedly one of the most sought after African pop stars of his generation. Here, you’ll find some of Wizkid’s favorite songs you can add to your music playlist, and hopefully get to enjoy the best music he has to offer.
Bio: Who is Wizkid?
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid or Starboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Since Wizkid entered the music industry in 2010 with his critically-acclaimed single “Holla At Your Boy” he has yet to relent. Wizkid achieved international recognition in 2016, following his collaboration with Drake on the global hit, “One Dance“. He has released multiple albums and won various awards including a GRAMMY award. Wizkid’s success, no doubt, has further elevated the Nigerian music industry and the Afrobeat culture to the world.
Best Afrobeat songs by Wizkid
1. Joro
The second single off Wizkid’s Made In Lagos album, “Joro” was released with the visuals on the eve of Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day celebration in 2019. The track sees the Nigerian Starboy delivering his signature vocals over a head-nodding mid-tempo beat produced by Northboi, producer of his 2018 hit song, “Soco“. The accompanying “Joro” music video follows Wizkid and UK actress/model Georgia Curtis as they both dance separately across candle-lit rooms, hair salon and the streets of Lagos. Joro, which means ‘mindlessness’ in the Yoruba language, follows the September release of “Ghetto Love“.
Stream “Joro”
2. Come Closer feat. Drake
WizKid got a huge cosign from Drake when the Nigerian artist appeared on chart-topper “One Dance,” and now Drake (as he typically does) is returning the favor by appearing on Wiz’s new single “Come Closer.” With jolts of Afrobeats and tantalizing Caribbean blends, the song carries the energy the original starboy brought to Drake’s “One Dance,” but there’s plenty of other moments to love from the jam. Directed by Oladapo “Daps” Fagbenle, the visuals show clear influences of dancehall and Nigerian culture, with many moments highlighting the beauty in black women. Wizkid became the first African artist to be certified Gold (both) as a featured and lead artist in the United States, as “Come Closer” sold 500,000 units.
Stream “Come Closer” feat. Drake
3. Essence feat. Tems
“Essence” broke the Billboard top ten chart – the first-ever Nigerian song to achieve such a feat. The song, replete with rhythm and longing, offered an exciting alliance between Afrobeat veteran Wizkid and the promising up-and-comer Tems; the pair’s chemistry captivated listeners far beyond the bounds of their native Nigeria. In 2021, “Essence” became the official summer track, topping the billboard chart following a remix featuring Canadian pop star Justin Beiber. Even rapper Kanye West said he considered Wizkid’s hit song “Essence” as the best song in music’s history. The song went on to win the Collaboration of the Year at the 2022 BET awards making it the first Afrobeat song to win a major category in the history of the BET. It is also the first Afrobeat song to earn a platinum plaque in the United States and the only Nigerian song to be double platinum.
Stream “Essence” feat. Tems
4. Fever
“Fever” sees Wizkid singing over a smooth and dance-inducing instrumental that opens with a steady cowbell and gentle kickdrum. As the song goes on, the instrumentation becomes more layered as added percussion and soulful woodwinds are thrown into the mix. Upon the release of the music video, fans were shocked to see Tiwa Savage, who made an unexpected cameo, in intimate scenes with Wizkid. Speculations about the true status of their rumored relationship began to trend on social media, building conversations that translated to YouTube views.
Stream “Fever”
5. OJUELEGBA
“Ojuelegba“, named for the area of Lagos where Wizkid grew up, tells a simple story of an artist’s struggle from grass to grace. The Clarence Peters-directed visuals and Legendury Beatz-produced track was inspired by Wizkid’s experiences and sojourn in and around the part of Lagos, Nigeria named Ojuelegba. The deep nostalgic emotion conveyed in the artist’s vocal performance was moving indeed. This resulted in a remix of the song which featured rapper, Drake and the grime artist, Skepta, adding to a list of remixes on the same song.
Stream “OJUELEGBA”
6. Ginger feat. Burna Boy
Two of Africa’s most incredible musical giants teamed up to make their smash hit record “Ginger“. Wizkid unleashed his Made In Lagos project, and the Burna Boy-assisted “Ginger” cut instantly became a fan favorite. “Ginger” is the third single off Made In Lagos after “Smile” and “No Stress”. The “Ginger” visual sees the two Nigerian stars joining forces while surrounded by beautiful dancers, the entire video covered in hues of browns and, of course, ginger, as the duo go back and forth for the hook. Wizkid effortlessly delivers the first verse as he is repeatedly seen flocked by models while having solo appearances in between scenes. After Wizkid’s verse, Burna boy delivers the chorus in a scene that includes both artists with models dressed in black.
Stream “Ginger” feat. Burna Boy
7. Show You The Money
The Starboy’s single is the aftermath of a collaboration with Naija hitmaker Shizzi, the producer behind Davido’s massive “Skelewu” and Wizkid’s “Love My Baby.” On “Show You The Money“, Shizzi and Wizkid team up once more to recreate some heat on a heavy bass synth beat blended with accents of infectious keys with complimentary light drums in the background. Wizkid’s savory vocals fashion the track a festive, high energy banger as he sings about money, women and the places he’s traveled. The remix of the song features international rap star Tyga and Burna Boy.
Stream “Show You The Money”
8. Ghetto Love
“Ghetto Love” showcases the Wizkid’s hunger to make it the music industry. Produced by Killertunes and Kel P, the track instantly appeals with the dancehall-inspired beat and catchy lyrics. As far as the visual, the video kicks off WizKid surrounded by his entourage then quickly transitioning to shot of a young boy symbolizing the artist during his childhood. Throughout the video we get different shots of this young boy whose life revolves around music from listening to songs on a cassette player to recording in the studio as a child. Intertwined are clips of the now very renowned artists recording tracks and enjoying his very successful music career. Its arrival came on the heels of the Beyoncé collaboration “Brown Skin Girl”, an anthem that has earned praise aplenty for its empowering and uplifting ethos.
Stream “Ghetto Love”
9. Final (Baba Nla)
“Final (Baba Nla)” is a sugary joint built on flute samples and keyboard jabs. The Legendury Beatz-produced song is as addictive of a track as we’ve come to expect from Wizkid.
Stream “Final (Baba Nla)”
10. Daddy Yo
“Daddy Yo” is a fun dancing song with a little reggae/Jamaican twist in it. The video is full of beautiful women dancing too. The 2017 hit song is also part of the soundtrack for British-Nigerian actor John Boyega’s film, “Pacific Rim Uprising”. “Daddy Yo” went on to reach number one in 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. The track is also the first for the singer under Sony Music’s subsidiary, RCA Records.
Stream “Daddy Yo”
11. No Stress
“No Stress” begins with four counts of the same breezy arpeggio, a surprisingly simple, soothing introduction to Wizkid’s equally as calming familiar vocals that confess his casual relationship status involving no stress. The familiarity in Wizkid’s opening line doesn’t come from his delectable signature-sounding singing chops alone. Whether you’re heading back from a night out from one of the most romantic bars in Lagos or thinking about hitting up one of Lagos clubs, this “No Stress” tune will set the mood with the silky Afropop lyrics and sound that will set your feet dancing, giving you an orgasmic feeling at the same time.
Stream “No Stress”
12. Blessed feat. Damian Marley
Wizkid is a powerhouse in Nigeria, and he’s slowly been infiltrating the Global charts through collaborations. The Nigerian music crooner served up a hit single “Blessed” featuring Jamaican superstar, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley. “Blessed”, one of the fans’ favourite songs off Wizkid’s latest album Made in Lagos, has surpassed ten million plays on digital streaming platform Spotify, making it the fifth song off the album to reach that mark.
Stream “Blessed” feat. Damian Marley
13. Mood feat. BNXN
“Mood” finds Wizkid unleashing a barrage of his uncanny abilities, doing so over top of an impressive and rather contagious backdrop. Wizkid shows off his talents behind the mic while bringing the track to life in a video directed by Kuukua Eshun. This man never disappoints, and he certainly doesn’t start with this one. “Mood” hit the No. 1 spot on the UK Afrobeats chart, becoming the singer’s 4th song to reach that summit. The track also arrived after his Made in Lagos album topped the Billboard World Albums chart while also becoming the longest-charting album by a Nigerian artist for the new decade at 65 weeks and counting.
Stream “Mood” feat. BNXN
Honorable mentions
- MHD – Bella (feat. Wizkid)
- Drake – One Dance (feat. Wizkid & Kayla)
- Tiwa Savage – Ma Lo feat. Wizkid & Spellz
- Skepta & Wizkid – “Energy (Stay Far Away)”
- Beyoncé – Brown Skin Girl feat. Wizkid, Saint Jhn, Blue Ivy Carter
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