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Wizkid says incoming album ‘Morayo’ is ‘very, very personal’
In a new interview with Esquire, Nigerian music star Wizkid opens up about his upcoming album, his family, and his Nigerian roots. Big Wiz sat down with Esquire UK for an exclusive interview as he prepared to attend his first Louis Vuitton runway show at Paris Fashion Week.
In a report via the Esquire UK website on Wednesday, the award-winning artist shared insights about his upcoming album and his connection with Louis Vuitton’s men’s creative director, Pharrell Williams. Known for hits like “Essence” and “Ginger,” Wizkid revealed that his new album is named after his mother, Morayo.
“It’s very important for people to know where the source of my magic comes from. I’m African, I’m Nigerian; that’s my blood, that’s my DNA,” he explained. The album title, ‘Morayo’, is a Yoruba word meaning “I see joy.”
Describing the unreleased record as “very, very personal,” Wizkid added, “I hope it lifts spirits and spreads positive energy.” When asked about collaborations, he offered a philosophical response, “We’re meant to collaborate – that’s the essence of humans. We’re here to work together.”
Parallels were drawn between Wizkid and Pharrell Williams, including their positive outlooks and family-oriented nature. Wizkid, a father himself, stated, “I’m trying to raise champions. I instill that into their minds […] that God has put them here on purpose.”
For the Louis Vuitton show, Wizkid sported a fresh look from the pre-SS25 collection, featuring a V-neck Fair Isle jumper, tailored shorts, and a shirt. He personalized the outfit by swapping the lookbook’s collegiate tie for an ivory one and opting for white sneakers instead of loafers.
Reflecting on his style influences, Wizkid credited “TV and magazines” and growing up with twelve sisters. The artist’s attendance at the show, themed “Le Monde Est À Vous” (The World is Yours), aligns with his own motivational speaking style, often sharing phrases like “Nothing is too far out of reach” and “If you can dream it, you can achieve it.”