Three years ago, Nigerian superstar Wizkid dropped his fourth studio album, ‘Made In Lagos,’ and the world of Afrobeats hasn’t been the same since. This album not only solidified Wizkid’s place as a global music icon but also set new benchmarks for Nigerian and African music on the international stage.
‘Made In Lagos’ is a shining example of the global reach of Afrobeats, blending infectious rhythms with soulful melodies, and earning its place as one of the most successful albums in recent memory. As we celebrate the third anniversary of this groundbreaking LP, here are 11 major milestones that ‘Made In Lagos’ has achieved since its release:
- First African Album to Debut on the US Spotify Global Albums Chart: ‘Made In Lagos’ made history by becoming the first African album to debut on the prestigious US Spotify Global Albums Chart, further cementing Wizkid’s global influence.
- First Nigerian Album to Top the Billboard World Album Chart for Multiple Weeks: The album spent an impressive three weeks at the top of the Billboard World Album Chart, making it the first Nigerian project to achieve this feat.
- Longest-Charting Nigerian Album on Billboard World Album Charts: ‘Made In Lagos’ set a record by spending 86 weeks on the Billboard World Album Charts, surpassing Fela Kuti’s ‘The Black President,’ which held the previous record with 45 weeks.
- First Nigerian Album to Spend Consecutive Weeks at the Top of the Billboard World Album Charts: The album not only reached the summit but maintained its position for seven consecutive weeks, a record for Nigerian music.
- Grammy Nominations: The album earned a Grammy nomination in the World Album category at the 2022 Grammy Awards, while its standout single ‘Essence’ received a Grammy nod for Best Global Song.
- Highest Charting Nigerian Album on Billboard 200: ‘Made In Lagos’ peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200, setting a new record for Nigerian albums on the prestigious chart.
- First African Album Certified Gold in the United States: The album became the first from Africa to achieve Gold certification in the U.S., a testament to its widespread appeal.
- ‘Essence’ Becomes the First Afrobeats Song to Earn a Platinum Plaque in the U.S.: The smash hit single ‘Essence,’ featuring Tems, made history as the first Afrobeats song to be certified Platinum by the RIAA.
- BET Awards Win: ‘Essence’ won Collaboration of the Year at the 2022 BET Awards, marking the first time an Afrobeats song has won a major category at the BET.
- ‘Essence’ Remix Peaks at Number 9 on Billboard Hot 100: The remix of ‘Essence’ featuring Justin Bieber reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it the highest-charting Afrobeats song on the chart.
- ‘Essence’ Achieves 4X RIAA Platinum Certification: With 4X Platinum status, ‘Essence’ has become the third most certified song in the U.S. by a Nigerian artist, highlighting its enduring popularity.
As ‘Made In Lagos’ continues to influence and inspire, these milestones underscore its impact not just in Africa but around the world. Wizkid’s album has not only broken records but also broken barriers, paving the way for the global dominance of Afrobeats.
