When Wizkid released Made In Lagos in October 2020, no one could have predicted that the album would transcend borders and reshape the global sound of Afrobeats.

What began as a smooth, soulful love letter to Lagos soon evolved into a global phenomenon—one that didn’t just dominate Afrobeats but pushed the sound into spaces it had never reached before.

The Wizkid Album That Put Nigeria on the Global Map

Made In Lagos wasn’t just another album; it became a cultural movement. With its mellow rhythms, lush instrumentation, and Wizkid’s signature calm delivery, the project found its way from the streets of Surulere to playlists in London, New York, and Tokyo. History started unfolding almost immediately.

The album made history as the first African album to debut on the US Spotify Global Albums Chart, a clear sign of Afrobeats’ growing global influence. It went on to dominate the Billboard World Albums Chart, peaking at number one for three weeks and remaining on the chart for an astonishing 86 weeks—the longest run ever for a Nigerian album. For context, this nearly doubled the previous record of 45 weeks held by Fela Kuti’s The Black President.

The milestones didn’t stop there. Made In Lagos became the first Nigerian album to spend consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard World Albums Chart, holding the top spot for seven straight weeks. On the main Billboard 200, it peaked at number 28, setting a new high for Nigerian artists at the time.

Certifications soon followed, with Made In Lagos becoming the first African album to earn a Gold certification in the United States. Its standout track, “Essence” featuring Tems, went on to break even more barriers.

Beyond becoming a global summer anthem, “Essence” became the first Afrobeats song to reach Platinum status in the US, later achieving four-times Platinum certification. Its impact earned a Grammy nomination for Best Global Song, while the album itself was nominated for Best Global Music Album at the 2022 Grammys. The “Essence” remix featuring Justin Bieber peaked at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting Afrobeats song of all time.

Industry recognition followed swiftly. At the 2022 BET Awards, “Essence” won Collaboration of the Year, marking the first time an Afrobeats song claimed a major BET category.

Looking back, Made In Lagos was more than an album—it was a landmark moment for Nigerian music. It bridged continents, reshaped Afrobeats on the global stage, and reminded the world that the sound from Lagos isn’t just made for Africa—it’s made for everyone.

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