Wizkid’s Morayo: A Tribute That Misses the Mark

When you’re Wizkid, the stakes are always high with every album release. As an icon and global ambassador for Afrobeats, his work comes with immense expectations. His sixth studio album, Morayo, serves as a tribute to his late mother, a figure he’s honored beautifully in the past through heartfelt songs like Joy and Mama Mi. However, despite its sonic range, the album falls short of delivering the thematic depth or emotional resonance such a dedication deserves.

Sonically Diverse, Thematically Repetitive

The album’s production is impeccable, offering a rich blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and global influences. Tracks like Kese, Break Me Down, and Slow showcase Wizkid's ability to explore different sounds, keeping the listener engaged with infectious beats and smooth melodies. The opening four tracks, in particular, are a masterclass in Afro-centric soundscapes, setting the stage for what could have been a deeply introspective journey.

Unfortunately, Morayo is thematically one-dimensional. Despite being a tribute to his mother, only a handful of tracks—Troubled Mind, Lose, and Pray—make even passing references to grief or personal loss. These moments are fleeting and fail to delve into the emotional complexities of losing a parent. On Troubled Mind, Wizkid briefly admits, “One shot for mama, yeah I miss you,” but immediately pivots to lines about material wealth: “Diamonds on my wrist and my leg too.” 

Also, lyrics like "I wish you were here" capture the heartfelt pain of missing someone dearly, while his use of metaphors, such as "puff, puff, pass Mary J. like I’ve been waiting for better days," hints at the coping mechanisms he's developed to deal with it, using smoking as a metaphor for trying to numb the ache. The lack of introspection leaves the album feeling surface-level, especially compared to the deeply personal storytelling fans anticipated. 

Another slightly introspective sonf is A Million Blessings where Machala talks about gratitude for his current status as one of the culture’s superstars. But this is also a forgetful song, even if Wizkid FC might disagree. 

Also, concluding the album, Pray is both an unforgettable song, and soul-stirring reflection on perseverance and gratitude. Wizkid attributes his journey to faith and his mother’s prayers. Lines like, “I know my mama pray for me, and I know the heavens dey for me,”  is a silver lining in the album’s lack of deep emotional resonance. It’s also an anthem of survival and spiritual grounding, beautifully closing what you think should be a personal project.

The Missed Opportunity of Morayo

Morayo had the potential to be a statement piece—a reflection on grief, growth, and legacy. Instead, Wizkid relies heavily on familiar tropes of materialism, escapism, and hedonism. For an artist with nothing left to prove, this approach feels safe, even predictable. While artists are free to express grief in their own way, the absence of a track directly dedicated to Morayo—a central figure in his life—stands out.

Contrast this with his earlier work: Joy was a heartfelt ode to his mother while she was alive, and Mama Mi captured the depth of his love and gratitude. In Morayo, these emotions are reduced to brief mentions amidst lyrics about wine, weed, and women. Other artists within the Afrobeats genre have recently pushed boundaries, proving that introspection can coexist with mainstream appeal.

Omah Lay’s Boy Alone tackled mental health with raw honesty, Ayra Starr’s The Kids Are Alright on her album, The Year I Turned 21, honoured her late father with emotional depth. Similarly, Simi made an emotive ode to her father on Ọmọ Charlie Champagne, and even Tems has carved a niche with introspective R&B.

Highlights and Bright Spots

Despite its thematic shortcomings, Morayo is not without merit. Tracks like Break Me Down, a sultry Afro-Bashment fusion, and Slow, a sensual R&B-leaning duet with Anaïs Cardot, showcase Wizkid’s versatility and knack for crafting atmospheric music. Collaborations with Jazmine Sullivan (Bad For You) and Tiakola (Après Minuit) add texture to the album, with guest artists often elevating the material.

The album’s Afro-centric moments, particularly its opener Troubled Mind, ground it in cultural authenticity, with Wasiu Ayinde’s performance adding gravitas. Kese is a vibrant party anthem, and Pray, which closes the album, offers a glimpse of what Morayo could have been—a heartfelt acknowledgment of his mother’s role in his life.

A Superstar at a Crossroads

In the past four years, Wizkid has leaned heavily into a midtempo, R&B fusion sound—a sonic template that has defined his recent trilogy of albums. While this consistency has solidified his position as a global superstar, it risks becoming monotonous. On Morayo, this lack of evolution is particularly evident.  Although some have argued that the album is a mix of all of Wizkid from Superstar to MLLE.  Nonetheless, the album, while polished, lacks the emotional depth that its title and dedication demand.

Ultimately, Morayo isn’t a bad album—it’s well-produced and sonically cohesive. But it’s not great either. It feels stuck in the comfort zone of a superstar who, perhaps, has little left to prove. For fans, it’s enough. For casual listeners, it might feel repetitive. And for those who hoped for a heartfelt tribute, Morayo may leave them wanting more.