The first time Wizkid used ‘Made In Lagos’ in a sentence was in a conversation with DJ Semtex, which was released in February 2017. Then, Wizkid started using #MadeInLagos in various hashtags across his social media accounts.
Made In Lagos was then used as the title for Wizkid's fourth studio album when he announced the signing of Terri to his label, Starboy. On February 18, 2020, Wizkid announced that Made In Lagos would be an EP. At the time, there was no release date set, but evidence pointed to an effort to create a legacy project.
A son of Lagos State, the album was an ode to his home and his origin. His last album was titled Sounds From The Other Side and it was more or less an introduction of his artistry to that west and the UK. The sound on that album was diluted with Afro-Caribbean sound, fusion and Afro-swing.
Made In Lagos was meant to be the moment he retained his original sound and persona. Even though sound might contain some foreign elements, the thought was that the album was meant to be a reassurance of his brand. But since then, the album seemed to have joined Dr. Dre's Detox in the land of anticipated albums that will never drop with teased release dates that were never met.
On May 30, 2018, he had a quick chat with legendary British media personality, Tim Westwood and he said that the EP would have no features. He said, "The new album is called Made in Lagos, Wizkid Made in Lagos; 10 tracks, no features just straight Wizkid."
The first release date set for Made In Lagos was October 1, 2018 which Wizkid announced on August 18, 2018. In two tweets, he wrote, "01. 10. 2018" before writing "#MadeInLagos" in the following tweet.
On September 20, 2018, he then repeated the pattern with the announcement, "1st of October! Gbedu! Everything stew" on his Twitter page. That was also the first time Wizkid failed to drop the album.
In December of that year, he held the Made In Lagos Festival and the name of that album was again written in the lights. Everyone then anticipated that Starboy would drop Made In Lagos in December 2018, but instead he released 'Fever' and 'Master Groove.'
2019
Between January and March 2019, Wizkid was scarcely on social media. In fact, he didn't tweet for about six months after January 3, 2019. But on March 20, 2019, he took to his Instagram page to host a live jam session where he teased some of his favourite recordings.
The songs were purported to be on his anticipated album, Made In Lagos. Producers and guest collaborators on the new album who got a shout-out from the StarBoy included STG, DJ Consequence, Chinko Ekun, Burna Boy, Shaydee, Dandy and Teni whom he featured on a song believed to be titled 'Pansa.'
Three months later, on June 4, 2019, the singer took to his Instagram stories and posted the message, ““Gong” blessed me highest level of vibration! #MadeinLagos! Best I ever made. Yes Fada!” A few weeks before then, he also posted a since-deleted picture of himself with Damian Marley.
On June 15, 2020, the night that Omawumi hosted a listening party for In Her Feelings EP and the night Brymo hosted his show at Terra Kulture, Wizkid released an artwork of a half-naked woman. Everyone thought it was a teaser for Made In Lagos, but it turns out that it was only an artwork for the long-awaited 'Joro.'
Before 'Joro' dropped, Wizkid released 'Ghetto Love' in September 2019 - a few days after it leaked. On September 29, 2019, Wizkid finally released ‘Joro’ which caused rancour between him, Killertunes and Northboi.
In October 2019, Pulse Nigeria had a conversation with Northboi where he revealed that Wizkid was finally set to release Made In Lagos and that he had songs with Damian Marley and Buju Banton in place. In December, everyone anticipated Made In Lagos, but again the album didn’t drop.
ALSO READ: Northboi opens up on how he produced 'Joro' and Wizkid's reluctance to pay for beats
Instead, Wizkid released the seven-track Soundman Vol. 1 EP on December 6, 2019 and it was filled with mostly terrible music.
2020
On February 6, 2020, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid took to his Twitter page and wrote, “He wrote, "Finally done! So you know what that means!" This came after he wrote that, "I('ve) been working on my album and my spirit."
Finally, he also wrote that he appreciates his struggles, "Very happy for growth and God’s guidance. I love my scars more than ever."
Since then, Wizkid has intensified the teasers for Made In Lagos, but without anything that looks like a release date until now, June 30, 2020.
Will the album finally drop?
Someone get Baba Bolu's number, he will tell us.
UPDATE: September 17, 2020
On September 17, 2020, Wizkid announced that Made In Lagos will be released on October 15, 2020. He has also released a new single, 'No Stress.' Made in Lagos is also available for pre-order.
You can play 'No Stress' below;