Ayo | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | 17 September 2014 | |||
Recorded | 2012–2014 | |||
Length | 71:00 | |||
Language |
| |||
Label |
| |||
Producer |
| |||
Wizkid chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Ayo | ||||
|
Ayo (Yoruba : Joy) is the self-titled second studio album by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released on 17 September 2014, by Starboy Entertainment and Empire Mates Entertainment. [1] Ayo was postponed twice due to difficulty in track selection. [2] Preceding its release were the singles "Jaiye Jaiye", "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You the Money". The album also contains the song "Ojuelegba", which won Song of the Year and was nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2015. [3] Wizkid enlisted Sarz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Del B, Dokta Frabz, Maleek Berry, Legendury Beatz and Spellz to produce the album. Ayo features collaborations with Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Yemi Sax, Akon, Banky W., Phyno, Tyga and Wale. It received mixed reviews from music critics; some commended its production, song arrangement and sound quality, while others panned its lyrics.
Wizkid started recording Ayo after the release of the compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind (2012). Ayo was initially meant to be a mixtape. In an interview with MTV's The Wrap Up, Wizkid said the mixtape would include production and guest vocals from Rodney Rhymez, Maleek Berry and Wale. [4] Wizkid later said the mixtape would feature Tinie Tempah and would be released in April 2013. [5] Moreover, he announced on Twitter he would release the mixtape after he released an album in June. [6] That same month, he posted a picture on Instagram revealing most of the album's track list. [7] The photo revealed features with Femi Kuti, Efya, Don Jazzy, Seyi Shay and Banky W. [8]
In October 2013, Banky W. revealed to HipTV that the album would be called Chosen. [9] In December 2013, Wizkid spoke to iCR8Media about the album and said he worked with producers such as Don Jazzy, Dokta Frabz, Legendury Beatz, Maleek Berry, Spellz and Sarz. He also said he collaborated with Olamide, Efya, Seyi Shay, Shaydee, Banky W., L.A.X and Dammy Krane. [10] In May 2014, Wizkid said the album would be released on 12 June 2014, a day that acknowledges the annulled 1993 Nigerian presidential election. Moreover, he said it would be self-titled Ayo, which translates to Joy in English. [11] On 6 September 2014, Wizkid unveiled the album's official cover and track list on Instagram. A week earlier, he informed Olisa Adibua that the album would be his final body of work under Empire Mates Entertainment. [12] [13]
Wizkid promoted the album by releasing several promotional singles and headlining a few concerts. On 29 July 2013, he released his first ever collaborative single with Wale, titled "Drop", which was produced by Legendury Beatz. [14] Wizkid's second collaborative single with Wale, titled "Nobody But You", was released on 24 October 2013; the song was produced by Maleek Berry. [15] On 17 December 2013, Wizkid premiered the Legendury Beatz-produced track "Eledumare", which was performed at the 2013 Felabration concert. [16] On 24 March 2014, MTV Base reported that Wizkid was invited as a special guest for some shows in Tinie Tempah's tour of the UK in 2014. [17]
The Femi Kuti-assisted track "Jaiye Jaiye" was released on 2 May 2013, as the album's lead single. The song was produced by Sarz and mastered by Foster Zeeno. [18] [19] The music video for "Jaiye Jaiye" was filmed in Lagos by Sesan. [20] The album's second single, "On Top Your Matter", was released on 25 October 2013, in celebration of Valentine's Day. [21] The song's accompanying music video was recorded in Johannesburg by Sesan. [22] The album's third single, "One Question", was released on 14 February 2014. It features a saxophone riff by Yemi Sax and was produced by Dokta Frabz. [23] Wizkid performed the song for BBC's Destination Africa in March 2014.
On 9 June 2014, "Joy" and "Bombay" were released simultaneously as the album's fourth and fifth singles, respectively. Both songs were produced by Dokta Frabz. Wizkid performed a cover of "No Woman, No Cry" at Koga Studios for BBC's Destination Africa and merged "Joy" with the cover. [24] On 13 June 2014, the music video for "Bombay" was uploaded to YouTube. [25] On 16 July 2014, the Shizzi-produced track "Show You the Money" was released as the album's sixth single. The song's music video was directed by Patrick Elis and features cameo appearances from Ehiz and Dokta Frabz. Lekan Oladimeji of P.M. News awarded the video a 6.5 rating out of 10, stating: "though a video that lacks a sense of direction, low creativity and could have been achieved with next to no technical know how, it remains a video you might want to see time and over again as there's always something to smile about." [26]
The bonus track "Caro", which features vocals by L.A.X, was produced by Legendury Beatz. The music video for "Caro" was filmed in London by Moe Musa and uploaded to YouTube on 20 August 2013. [27] "Caro" was nominated for Hottest Single of the Year at the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and for Song of the Year at the 2014 African Muzik Magazine Awards. [28] [29] On 22 September 2014, Wizkid released the Soto Jose-directed music video for "In My Bed". [30] The following month, "In My Bed" charted at number five on The Tide 's list of the Top 10 Songs of the Week. [31] The music video for "Ojuelegba" was released on 5 January 2015. It was filmed in Lagos by Clarence Peters. [32]
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
Lobatan | A [33] |
Nigerian Entertainment Today | |
TooXclusive | |
NotJustOk | 4.5/10 |
Ayo received generally mixed reviews from music critics. Oscar Okeke of Lobatan awarded the album an A rating, saying it "reminds us why he has earned our respect and why he continues to rule over the realm of sound, money and girls." [33] Rolling Stone magazine included the album on its list of the 15 Great Albums You Didn't Hear in 2014, and stated that Wizkid "uses deft, nimble flows to glide over complex beats and he writes hooks that will keep you humming for weeks." [34] [35]
Nigerian Entertainment Today 's Ayomide Tayo awarded the album 3 stars out of 5, criticizing Wizkid for not having "what it fully takes to make creative gambles for an artiste of his calibre". Tayo also said the singer is "pretty much comfortable in flogging a dead horse until it has no more skin or flesh." [36] Also reviewing for Nigerian Entertainment Today, Dayo Showemimo granted the album 3.5 stars out of 5, noting that it lacks a wow factor and climax. [37]
In a less enthusiastic review, NotJustOk's Tola Sarumi assigned a rating of 4.5 out of 10, criticizing the album for relying profoundly on the popularity of previously released content. [38] The duo at Should You Bump This characterized Ayo as lacking direction and described it as a "sack of undiluted disappointment." [39] Jim Donnett of TooXclusive gave the album 2 stars out of 5, calling it "weak". [40]
Ayo won Best R&B/Pop Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2015. [41] [42] The album was also nominated for Album of the Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards. [43]
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Jaiye Jaiye" (featuring Femi Kuti) | Ayodeji Balogun | Sarz | 4:06 |
2. | "Show You The Money" | Balogun | Shizzi | 3:11 |
3. | "In My Bed" | Balogun | Uhuru | 3:50 |
4. | "Mummy Mi" | Balogun | Spellz | 3:17 |
5. | "Ojuelegba" | Balogun | Legendury Beatz | 3:36 |
6. | "Kind Love" | Balogun | Del B | 3:51 |
7. | "On Top Your Matter" | Balogun | Del B | 4:44 |
8. | "In Love" (featuring Seyi Shay) |
| Spellz | 3:21 |
9. | "For You" (featuring Akon) |
| Uhuru | 3:57 |
10. | "Dutty Whine" (featuring Banky W.) |
| Legendury Beatz | 4:13 |
11. | "Kilofe" | Balogun | Sarz | 2:29 |
12. | "Omalicha" | Balogun | Legendury Beatz | 3:22 |
13. | "Bombay" (featuring Phyno) |
| Dokta Frabz | 3:20 |
14. | "One Question" (featuring Yemi Sax) | Balogun | Dokta Frabz | 4:55 |
15. | "Celebrate" | Balogun | Shizzi | 3:34 |
16. | "Show You The Money" (remix; featuring Tyga) |
| Shizzi | 4:13 |
17. | "Murder" (featuring Wale) |
| Maleek Berry | 4:02 |
18. | "Joy" | Balogun | Dokta Frabz | 3:15 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
19. | "Caro" (Starboy featuring Wizkid and L.A.X) |
| Legendury Beatz | 4:06 |
Credits adapted from the back cover of Ayo
Region | Date | Version | Format | Label |
---|---|---|---|---|
| September 17, 2014 | Standard |
|
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement. His music is a blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He rose to the limelight after releasing "Holla at Your Boy", the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull".
The discography of Wizkid, a Nigerian Afrobeats singer, consists of six studio albums, two EPs, fifty-four singles, forty-four promotional singles, sixteen guest appearances, six cameo appearances and thirty-five music videos. Wizkid started his music career at age 11, releasing a seven-track collaborative album with Glorious Five entitled Lil Prinz. Wizkid garnered notoriety when he collaborated with Naeto C, Ikechukwu, M.I and Kel. He signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. From 2009 through 2011, Wizkid worked on materials for his debut album Superstar (2011). Superstar was supported by the singles "Love My Baby", "Pakurumo", "Tease Me/Bad Guys", "Don't Dull" and "Holla at Your Boy".
R&BW is the fourth studio album by Nigerian singer Banky W. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on 14 February 2013, coinciding with Valentine's Day. The album was supported by the singles "Yes/No", which peaked at number 1 on the BBC Radio 1Xtra Afrobeat chart, and "Good Good Loving". R&BW features guest appearances from Camp Mulla, eLDee, Sarkodie, Sammy, Shaydee, Skales, Lynxxx, Niyola, M.I, 2Face Idibia, Rotimi and Vector. Its production was handled by Banky W, Cobhams Asuquo, Masterkraft, M.I, Spellz, Sarz and Samklef.
"Jaiye Jaiye" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid. It was released as the lead single from his second studio album, Ayo (2014), and features a saxophone riff by Femi Kuti. The song was produced by Sarz and mastered by Foster Zeeno.
Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper and record producer Jesse Jagz. It was released by Jagz Nation on July 10, 2013. The album was primarily produced by Jesse Jagz, along with additional production from Shady Bizniz, Kid Konnect, GuiltyBeatz and Samklef. It has eighteen tracks and features collaborations with 9ice, Wizkid, Brymo, James Maverik and Lindsey Abudei. Musically, Jagz Nation, Vol. 1: Thy Nation Come is a hip hop and ragga record that incorporates elements of dancehall music. It was supported by the singles "Redemption", "Bad Girl", "Sex & Scotch" and "God on the Mic". The album received generally positive reviews from music critics, who characterized it as a "tour de force" and praised its production.
Empire Mates State of Mind is a compilation album by musicians of Nigerian record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). It was released by the label on 18 June 2012. The album's production was handled by Legendury Beatz, Sarz, Masterkraft, Cobhams Asuquo, Kid Konnect and Spellz. Empire Mates State of Mind features collaborations with X.O Senavoe, Rotimi and Basketmouth. It produced seven singles—"Baddest Boy", "Dance for Me", "Get Down Tonight", "Ko Mo Le", "Sun Mo Mi", "Don't Delay Me " and "Change".
"Baddest Boy" is a song by E.M.E acts Wizkid, Skales, and Banky W. Released on April 5, 2012, it serves as the lead single from the label's compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind (2012). A leaked version of the song, featuring vocals from Wizkid and Skales, surfaced on the internet prior to its official release. OkayAfrica described "Baddest Boy" as a "banger with synths that resemble a heavily screwed “Akpako Master”. The song was produced by the record producing duo Legendury Beatz.
Omo Baba Olowo is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer Davido. It was released by HKN Music on July 17, 2012, and is a mixture of Afrobeats and hip hop. The album was produced by Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz and Shizzi. Omo Baba Olowo features collaborations with Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, May D and 2 Face Idibia. It produced the singles "Back When", "Dami Duro", "Ekuro", "Overseas", "All of You", "Gbon Gbon", and "Feel Alright".
The 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards took place on 31 August 2014, at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The eligibility period was from March 2013 to March 2014. In April 2014, the NEA reviewing committee began collecting submissions for the 2014 edition. The deadline for submission was April 30, 2014, and the nominations were announced on May 29, 2014. Tiwa Savage and Davido received the most nominations with 5 each. Don Jazzy, Flavour N'abania and Wizkid all got four nominations each, while Olamide, Patoranking, Chidinma and Oritse Femi followed closely with three nominations.
The 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 7th edition of the ceremony. The event was held on September 2, 2012 at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City. The event was hosted by Funke Akindele and Ayo Makun. Winners included Wizkid, Davido, Don Jazzy and Tineh Tempah.
Raoul John Njeng-Njeng, better known by his stage name Skales, is a Nigerian rapper, singer and songwriter. He relocated to Lagos and signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009.
Legendury Beatz is a Nigerian record producing and songwriting duo, composed of siblings Uzezi Oniko and Okiemute Oniko. Their production style is deeply rooted in afrobeats as well as in several other genres, including hip hop, reggae fusion, moombahton and electro house.
"Ojuelegba" is a song by Nigerian singer Wizkid from his self-titled second studio album, Ayo (2014). Written by Wizkid and produced by the record producing duo Legendury Beatz, the song emphasizes the singer's hardships as an underground artist who wandered the streets of Ojuelegba to support his recording ambition. The song's title is derived from the metropolitan area of Lagos Mainland. "Ojuelegba" received numerous airplay on all major radio stations in Nigeria, and peaked at number one on Capital Xtra's Afrobeats Chart for February 2015.
Osabuohien Osaretin, better known by his stage name Sarz, is a Nigerian record producer, mixing engineer and musician. Born in Benin City, Edo State, he is popularly known for the tag “Sarz on the beat” or "Really", at the beginning or end of all his music productions.
The 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards was the 10th edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Wizkid won the most awards while Olamide received the most nominations with three across 39 award categories. Kiss Daniel won the Best New Act to Watch award while Praiz won the Best R&B Act award after he toppled the likes of Banky W, Chidinma, Seyi Shay, Timi Dakolo and Shaydee. The award was held at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts, New York City, U.S.A. and was hosted by Osas Ighodaro and Ice Prince.
Seyi or Shay is the debut studio album by Nigerian singer-songwriter Seyi Shay. Formerly scheduled for release on 13 November 2015, the album was later shifted to 16 November 2015. Seyi or Shay was preceded by five singles and features vocals from Patoranking, Wizkid, Shaydee, Iyanya, Flavour and Banky W.
Folarin Falana, better known by his stage name Falz, is a Nigerian rapper, songwriter, and actor. He began his career in secondary school after forming a group called The School Boys with a friend, before launching his professional music career as a music artist began in 2009. Falz gained wider recognition after releasing the song "Marry Me" featuring vocals from Poe and Yemi Alade.
Damilola Afolabi, known professionally as L.A.X is a Nigerian recording artist. L.A.X started out as a rapper and was part of a three-man group called Flyboiz while he was still in high school. On August 20, 2013, L.A.X signed a major-label deal with Starboy Entertainment moments after releasing the critically acclaimed song titled "Caro" which won him the "Diaspora Artiste of The Year" at the 2014 edition of the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.
Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 is the third studio album by Nigerian singer Simi. It was released to coincide with her thirty-first birthday on April 19, 2019. The album has thirteen tracks and features collaborations with Patoranking, Maleek Berry, Falz and Adekunle Gold. It was primarily produced by Oscar, with additional production from Vtek, Legendury Beatz and Sess. Simi dedicated the album to her father Charles Oladele Ogunleye, who died in 2014. Omo Charlie Champagne, Vol. 1 was supported by the singles "I Dun Care", "Lovin" and "Ayo".
Oga Boss is the second studio album by Nigerian rapper Illbliss. It was released on 24 September 2012, by Capital Hill Music. The album features guest appearances from Chidinma, Tha Suspect, Ice Prince, Phyno, Del B, Timaya, Banky W., Silvastone, Naeto C, Wizboyy, Stormrex and R Cube. The album's production was handled by Tha Suspect, Phyno, Legendury Beatz, XYZ, Silvastone, Wizboyy, Wazzbeat, and Del B. Oga Boss was supported by the singles, "Illyminate", "Emi Ni Baller", "Anamachi Kwanu", "My Heart Beats", and "Naalu Ekene". The album was primarily recorded in English, Pidgin English, and Igbo.