Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” Becomes First African Album to Hit 100K Units Per Track in America

Nigerian superstar Wizkid has made history again, as his critically acclaimed album Made In Lagos (Deluxe Edition) has officially become the first African album ever to have every single one of its tracks sell over 100,000 units in the United States.

The milestone, confirmed through recent sales data, highlights the timeless appeal of the project, which continues to break records five years after its release.

The news immediately set social media ablaze, where fans and music insiders hailed Wizkid as a true trailblazer for Afrobeats. Pages like @wizkidtribe and @WizStatz shared the achievement, with one viral post declaring, “All the 18 tracks on Made In Lagos: Deluxe Edition have now sold at least 100K units each in the USA — making it the first African album to ever achieve this.” Another fan added, “It remains the only Nigerian album where every track crossed 100K in the U.S.!”

The success is not just about numbers but about cultural impact. Each of the 18 tracks on the deluxe project, released on August 27, 2021, has now surpassed 100,000 sales in the U.S., combining streams, downloads, and physical copies.

The last song to cross the mark was “Grace,” cementing the album’s place in history. Already certified Gold by the RIAA with more than 500,000 units moved overall, the album also holds the record as the longest-charting African project on the Billboard World Albums chart, with more than 130 weeks.

Its global streams run into the billions, and its blend of Afrobeats, R&B, reggae, and dancehall has kept it relevant long after release. Analysts note that its soothing yet vibrant sound resonated with listeners worldwide during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The breakout hit, “Essence” featuring Tems, and later remixed with Justin Bieber, was instrumental to the album’s rise. It became the first Nigerian track to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at No. 9, and also climbed the Billboard Global 200.

Other standout songs such as “Ginger” with Burna Boy, “Blessed” with Damian Marley, and “Mood” with Buju (BNXN) played crucial roles, with collaborations spanning continents to solidify Wizkid’s sound as universally appealing.

Originally released on October 30, 2020, Made In Lagos marked Wizkid’s fourth studio album under Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records. It was executive produced by British-Nigerian producer P2J, alongside Juls, Blaq Jerzee, LONDON (Thisizlondon), and Legendury Beatz.

The standard edition carried 14 tracks, while the deluxe version added four new songs, including “Anoti” and the Bieber-assisted remix of “Essence.” The project received glowing reviews from international media: Pitchfork rated it 7.7/10, The Guardian awarded it four stars, Clash gave it 7/10, and The Native scored it 8.4/10, calling it a pivotal moment in Afrobeats’ global dominance.

Commercially, it debuted at No. 80 on the Billboard 200 and later peaked at No. 28, while also topping the World Albums chart. It earned multi-platinum and gold certifications across various countries, including the UK, Canada, Belgium, and Nigeria, where it achieved 5× Platinum status.

The album also secured a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album, won Album of the Year at the African Entertainment Awards USA, and swept multiple nominations at The Headies 2022.

Behind the masterpiece is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, globally known as Wizkid. Born on July 16, 1990, in Ojuelegba, Lagos, he grew up in a large family with his mother, a Christian, and his father, a Muslim, shaping his diverse worldview.

Influenced by icons like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and Bob Marley, he began making music at 11, originally under the name Lil Prinz. His breakthrough came after signing with Banky W’s E.M.E. Records in 2009, leading to the release of his debut album Superstar in 2011, featuring hits like “Holla at Your Boy.”

Over the years, he has consistently evolved, from Ayo (2014) and Sounds from the Other Side (2017), which featured Drake and Chris Brown, to More Love, Less Ego (2022) and his latest, Morayo (2024), a heartfelt tribute to his late mother that broke Spotify’s record for the biggest African album streaming debut.

Wizkid’s collaborations have shaped global pop culture. His feature on Drake’s “One Dance” in 2016 topped charts in over 15 countries, making him the first Afrobeats artist with a Guinness World Record.

His work on Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” won him a Grammy in 2021, while more recent partnerships with artists like Normani, Calvin Harris, Brent Faiyaz, and Asake continue to expand his influence.

His awards are unmatched: he is the most decorated African artist at the BET Awards, MOBO Awards, Headies, and more, with dozens of international recognitions to his name. In 2019, he was listed among Africa’s 100 Most Influential figures by Africa Report, and Minnesota even declared October 6 as Wizkid Day in his honor.

At 35, Wizkid remains a cultural icon and one of the world’s most influential musicians. His 2025 Morayo Tour sold out arenas worldwide, and his documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival to critical acclaim.

With a career spanning over two decades, multiple chart-topping records, and a net worth in the tens of millions, Wizkid stands tall as a true global ambassador of Afrobeats, and Made In Lagos continues to prove why he is in a league of his own.