Sounds from the Other Side
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox album
| name = Sounds from the Other Side
| type = studio
| artist = Wizkid
| cover = soundsfromtheotherside.png
| border = yes
| alt =
| released = 14 July 2017
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 40:00
| language = {{hlist|English|Yoruba|Nigerian Pidgin}}
| label =
- Starboy
- RCA
| producer =
- Sarz
- Del B
- Spellz
- Major Lazer
- Picard Brothers
- DJ Maphorisa
- DJ Mustard
| prev_title = Ayo
| prev_year = 2014
| next_title = Made in Lagos
| next_year = 2020
| misc = {{Singles
| name = Sounds from the Other Side
| type = studio
| single1 = Daddy Yo
| single1date = 23 December 2016
| single2 = Sweet Love
| single2date = 2 March 2017
| single3 = Come Closer
| single3date = 31 March 2017
| single4 = African Bad Gyal
| single4date = 9 June 2017
| single5 = Naughty Ride
| single5date = 23 June 2017
}}
}}
Sounds from the Other Side (abbreviated as SFTOS) is the third studio album and major label debut by Nigerian singer Wizkid. Described by the singer as an EP, the album contains songs that were recorded between 2014 and 2017.{{cite web|last=Burney|first=Lawrence|title=Can Wizkid Break into America Without Changing Who He Is?|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/can-wizkid-break-into-america-without-changing-who-he-is/|work=Noisey|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728034356/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/nevmn8/can-wizkid-break-into-america-without-changing-who-he-is|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} It was released on July 14, 2017, by Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records.{{cite web|title=WizKid's 'Sounds From The Other Side' Available Everywhere Today|url=https://www.rcarecords.com/news/wizkids-sounds-side-available-everywhere-today/|publisher=Sony Music Entertainment|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728043710/https://www.rcarecords.com/news/wizkids-sounds-side-available-everywhere-today/|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Renshaw|first=David|title=Listen To WizKid's Sounds From The Other Side Album|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/07/14/wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-stream|website=The FADER|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728035241/http://www.thefader.com/2017/07/14/wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-stream|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} Primarily a Caribbean-influenced record, SFTOS encompasses several other genres, including Afrobeats, EDM, R&B, and house.{{cite web|last=Akan|first=Joey|title=How 'Sounds From The Other Side' mixtape shows growth from 'Ayo (Joy)' album|url=http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-vs-ayo-joy-id7003214.html|publisher=Pulse|date=July 17, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728042842/http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-vs-ayo-joy-id7003214.html|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} The album features guest appearances from Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Efya, Bucie and Trey Songz.{{cite web|title=Sounds From the Other Side by Wizkid on Apple Music|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sounds-from-the-other-side/1245549634|website=iTunes|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718103654/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/sounds-from-the-other-side/id1245549634|archive-date=July 18, 2017|url-status=live}} Its production was handled by Sarz, Del B, Spellz, Dre Skull, DJ Mustard, Major Lazer, and the Picard Brothers.
The album was made available for purchase and online streaming on several music platforms, including Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, Deezer and Google Play. SFTOS debuted at number 107 on the US Billboard 200.{{cite web|last=Akan|first=Joey|title="Sounds From The Other Side" debuts on Billboard Hot 200 chart|url=http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-debuts-on-billboard-hot-200-chart-id7047031.html|publisher=Pulse Nigeria|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728045248/http://www.pulse.ng/buzz/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-debuts-on-billboard-hot-200-chart-id7047031.html|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} It also debuted at number 58 on the Canadian Albums Chart. The album's release was preceded by three singles: "Daddy Yo" featuring Efya, "Sweet Love", and "Come Closer" featuring Drake. "African Bad Gyal" was released alongside the pre-order of the album on June 9, 2017,{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/06/wizkid-chris-brown-african-bad-gyal/|title=Wizkid And Chris Brown Are On The Hunt For An "African Bad Gyal"|last=Fresh|first=Mikey|work=Vibe|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728142536/https://www.vibe.com/2017/06/wizkid-chris-brown-african-bad-gyal/|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} and "Naughty Ride" was released as a promotional track on June 23, 2017.{{cite web|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7841987/major-lazer-wizkid-new-song-naughty-ride-listen|title=Major Lazer Assists WizKid on New Song 'Naughty Ride'|last=Rishty|first=David|work=Billboard|date=June 23, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728073910/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/dance/7841987/major-lazer-wizkid-new-song-naughty-ride-listen|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
Background and recording
Sounds from the Other Side was recorded between 2014 and 2017. Wizkid first announced plans for the album during a visit to Capital Xtra in October 2014.{{cite web|title=Wizkid Reveals His New Album Includes Chris Brown Collaboration Called 'African Bad Girl'|url=http://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/chris-brown/news/wizkid-single-african-bad-girl/#rw5tsBpAPqocbrYh.97|publisher=Capital Xtra|date=October 5, 2014|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728033243/http://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/chris-brown/news/wizkid-single-african-bad-girl/#rw5tsBpAPqocbrYh.97|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} He told DJ Abrantee that the album's first single would be titled "African Bad Gyal" and would feature Chris Brown. According to The Fader magazine, English rapper Tinie Tempah and Beninese singer-songwriter Angélique Kidjo would also be featured on the album.{{cite web|last=Okumu|first=Phiona|title=Wizkid Is Getting The Global Embrace He Deserves|url=http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/18/wizkid-gen-f-interview|publisher=The Fader|date=November 19, 2015|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728035352/http://www.thefader.com/2015/11/18/wizkid-gen-f-interview|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} In September 2015, Wizkid revealed he was dropping an EP and postponing the album's release.{{cite web|last=Ajose|first=Kehinde|title=How 2face made Wizkid postpone his album release|url=http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/how-2face-made-wizkid-postpone-his-album-release/|publisher=Vanguard|date=September 26, 2015|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728073511/http://www.vanguardngr.com/2015/09/how-2face-made-wizkid-postpone-his-album-release/|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}} Since making this revelation, Wizkid has used the terms EP and mixtape interchangeably to refer to Sounds from the Other Side. In a video published on May 3, 2017, he told DJ Semtex he considers the album to be a mixtape while in another interview with Ebro Darden on Beats 1 radio, he called it an EP. Wizkid told XXL magazine he recorded "One for Me" and "Dutty Wine" with Ty Dolla Sign in Los Angeles.{{cite web|last=Madden|first=Sidney|title=WizKid Breaks Down His Hip-Hop Collabs on 'Sounds From the Other Side' Project|url=http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/wizkid-sounds-from-other-side-project-interview/|work=XXL|date=July 20, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170729140551/http://www.xxlmag.com/news/2017/07/wizkid-sounds-from-other-side-project-interview/|archive-date=July 29, 2017|url-status=live}} The latter song was completed in December 2016. He also said he recorded "African Bad Gyal" with Chris Brown in Los Angeles. In April 2017, Wizkid told BBC News that "Come Closer" was recorded around the same time as "One Dance", but was not released because the album was not ready.{{cite web|last=Holden|first=Steve|title=Wizkid: Drake always shows me love|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39628061/wizkid-drake-always-shows-me-love|publisher=BBC|date=April 18, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170528103241/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/39628061/wizkid-drake-always-shows-me-love|archive-date=May 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
Critical reception
{{Music ratings
|rev1 = YNaija
|rev2 = Pitchfork
|rev3 = Exclaim!
|rev4 = NotJustOk
|rev5 = Rolling Stone
}}
Sounds from the Other Side received generally positive reviews from critics. Writing for Rolling Stone, Brittany Spanos stated: "On his own, Wizkid turns his Afropop into a meeting point for a host of party-starting dance styles, getting a dancehall assist from Major Lazer on "Naughty Ride," bringing in Chris Brown for the reggaeton-inflected "African Bad Gyal" and hooking back up with Drake for the sensual "Come Closer'", giving it three out of five stars. Claire Lobenfeld of Pitchfork wrote: "Wizkid is primed to carry Afrobeats to great heights" and scored the album 7.4/10. Exclaim!{{'}}s Erin Lowers writes that Sounds from the Other Side hits the mark for catchy summer anthems, and pays tribute to the sounds that have subsequently carried Afrobeats across the world for the past few years." In a review for The Star newspaper, Davies Ndolo called Wizkid a "globalist" and said SFTOS is the singer's "most grounded and focused work yet".{{cite web|author1=Davies Ndolo|title=Album Review: Wizkid's "Sounds From the Other Side"|url=http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2017/07/29/album-review-wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side_c1602872|work=The Star|access-date=11 August 2017|date=29 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811103845/http://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2017/07/29/album-review-wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side_c1602872|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}} On the album, Wizkid has been praised for "speak[ing] to a young generation of Africans living outside of the continent as he flies the flag for both Nigeria and all of West Africa with style".{{Cite web |last=Wiser |first=Joel Dwek & Danny |date=2021-04-15 |title=NIGERIA: Sounds From The Other Side - WizKid |url=https://www.200worldalbums.com/post/nigeria-sounds-from-the-other-side-wizkid |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=200worldalbums.com |language=en}}
Reviewing for HotNewHipHop, Maxwell Cavaseno said Wizkid "never sounds entirely out of place" despite the album being "thwarted by the misguided nobility of a hit-seeking agenda".{{cite web|author1=Maxwell Cavaseno|title=Wizkid's "Sounds From The Other Side" (Review)|url=http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-review-news.35238.html|publisher=Hot New Hip Hop|date=20 July 2017|access-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811104018/http://www.hotnewhiphop.com/wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-review-news.35238.html|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}} Oluwatosin Adeshokan, a freelance journalist for YNaija, gave the album an A rating, describing it as a versatile project that marries a lot of sounds to "give a feel good vibe".{{cite web|author1=Oluwatosin Adeshokan|title=Music Review: Wizkid's Sounds From The Other Side Is Versatility At Its Best|url=https://ynaija.com/music-review-wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-is-versatility-at-its-best/|publisher=YNaija|access-date=11 August 2017|date=15 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811142731/https://ynaija.com/music-review-wizkids-sounds-from-the-other-side-is-versatility-at-its-best/|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}} Joey Akan of Pulse Nigeria described SFTOS as a "well-crafted, one-dimensional pop dance project that is all about vibes than actual substance".{{cite web|last1=Akan|first1=Joey|title=Wizkid crosses over in "Sounds From The Other Side" mixtape|url=http://www.pulse.ng/reviews/first-listen-review-wizkid-crosses-over-in-sounds-from-the-other-side-mixtape-id6989808.html|publisher=Pulse Nigeria|access-date=11 August 2017|date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811105121/http://www.pulse.ng/reviews/first-listen-review-wizkid-crosses-over-in-sounds-from-the-other-side-mixtape-id6989808.html|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}} Sabo Kpade of OkayAfrica called SFTOS a "true afro-fusion album, well-balanced between world conquering ambitions and the culture whence it came". In a less enthusiastic review for NotJustOk, Tola Sarumi described the album as a "collection of songs that chart the artist’s travails from 'Ojuelegba' to now". Moreover, Sarumi said the album lacks "an overarching sound and feel" and that the other side is "essentially the listener".{{cite web|author1=Tola Sarumi|title=Mixtape Review: Wizkid – Sounds From The Other Side|url=http://notjustok.com/2017/08/02/album-review-wizkid-sounds-side/|publisher=NotJustOk|access-date=11 August 2017|date=2 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811143106/http://notjustok.com/2017/08/02/album-review-wizkid-sounds-side/|archive-date=11 August 2017|url-status=live}}
Accolades
Sounds from the Other Side won Best R&B/Pop Album and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2018.{{cite web |last1=Praise |first1=Billy |title=The HEADIES 2018: Full List Of Winners. |url=https://guardian.ng/life/music/the-headies-2018-full-list-of-winners/ |publisher=Guardian Life |access-date=17 March 2019 |date=5 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328042759/https://guardian.ng/life/music/the-headies-2018-full-list-of-winners/ |archive-date=28 March 2019 |url-status=live }}
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! style="width:250px;"| Awards ceremony ! style="width:450px;"| Award description(s) ! style="width:75px;"| Results |
|---|
| rowspan="3"|2018
|24th South African Music Awards |Best African Artist Album |{{nom}} |
| rowspan="2"|The Headies
|Best R&B/Pop Album |{{won}} |
| Album of the Year
|{{nom}} |
Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 40:00
| title1 = Sweet Love
| writer1 = Ayodeji Balogun
| extra1 = Sarz
| length1 = 3:23
| title2 = Come Closer
| note2 = featuring Drake
| writer2 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Aubrey Graham
}}
| extra2 = Sarz
| length2 = 3:31
| title3 = Naughty Ride
| note3 = featuring Major Lazer
| writer3 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Clement Picard
- Maxime Picard}}
| extra3 = {{flatlist|
- Major Lazer
- Picard Brothers}}
| length3 = 3:12
| title4 = African Bad Gyal
| note4 = featuring Chris Brown
| writer4 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Christopher Brown}}
| extra4 = Sarz
| length4 = 3:25
| title5 = Daddy Yo
| note5 = featuring Efya
| writer5 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Jane Awindor}}
| extra5 = Dre Skull
| length5 = 2:40
| title6 = One for Me
| note6 = featuring Ty Dolla Sign
| writer6 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Tyrone Griffin, Jr.}}
| extra6 = Spellz
| length6 = 3:26
| title7 = Picture Perfect
| writer7 = Balogun
| extra7 = Spellz
| length7 = 2:30
| title8 = Nobody
| writer8 = Balogun
| extra8 = Del B
| length8 = 3:49
| title9 = Sexy
| writer9 = Balogun
| extra9 = Spellz
| length9 = 3:07
| title10 = All for Love
| note10 = featuring Bucie
| writer10 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Busisiwe Nqwiliso}}
| extra10 = DJ Maphorisa
| length10 = 4:25
| title11 = Dirty Wine
| note11 = featuring Ty Dolla Sign
| writer11 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Griffin, Jr.}}
| extra11 = DJ Mustard, Twice as Nice
| length11 = 3:01
| title12 = Gbese
| note12 = featuring Trey Songz
| writer12 = {{flatlist|
- Balogun
- Tremaine Neverson}}
| extra12 = Del B
| length12 = 3:01
}}
Notes
- "Sweet Love" contains elements of "Shakara (Oloje)", written and performed by Fela Kuti.{{cite web|last=Kpade|first=Sabo|title='Sounds From The Other Side' Cements Wizkid As A Global Concern|url=http://www.okayafrica.com/audio/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-album-download-stream/|publisher=OkayAfrica|date=July 25, 2017|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728075514/http://www.okayafrica.com/audio/wizkid-sounds-from-the-other-side-album-download-stream/|archive-date=July 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
- "Naughty Ride" features an interpolation of "Ride Natty Ride", performed by Bob Marley and the Wailers.{{cite web|title=Wizkid Interpolates A Bob Marley Classic On His New Song "Naughty Ride"|url=https://genius.com/a/wizkid-interpolates-a-bob-marley-classic-on-his-new-song-naughty-ride|publisher=Genius|date=July 14, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170715053219/https://genius.com/a/wizkid-interpolates-a-bob-marley-classic-on-his-new-song-naughty-ride|archive-date=July 15, 2017|url-status=live}}
- "One for Me" contains a sample of "You're the One", written and performed by SWV. It also features background vocals by Sevyn Streeter.
- "Sexy" features background vocals by Efya.{{cite web|author1=Tobi Alàáká|title=Wizkid – Sounds from the Other Side|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/wizkid-%E2%80%93-sounds-other-side|publisher=Music in Africa|access-date=11 August 2017|date=21 July 2017}}
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Chart performance for Sounds from the Other Side |
| scope="col"| Chart (2017)
! scope="col"| Peak |
|---|
| {{album chart|Flanders|152|artist=Wizkid|album=Sounds from the Other Side|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Wallonia|200|artist=Wizkid|album=Sounds from the Other Side|rowheader=true|access-date=1 August 2017}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardCanada|58|artist=Wizkid|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Netherlands|99|artist=Wizkid|album=Sounds from the Other Side|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| scope="row"| French Albums (SNEP){{cite web|url=http://www.snepmusique.com/tops-semaine/top-album-megafusion/?ye=2017&we=29|title=Le Top de la semaine : Top Albums – SNEP (Week 29, 2017)|publisher=Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique|language=fr|access-date=July 28, 2017}}
| 140 |
| {{album chart|UK|91|artist=Wizkid|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| {{album chart|Billboard200|107|artist=Wizkid|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| scope="row"|US Heatseekers Albums (Billboard){{cite web|url=https://lifestyle.thecable.ng/wizkid-billboard-album-charts/|title=Wizkid's 'Sounds From The Other Side' cracks Billboard top albums chart|website=lifestyle.thecable.ng|access-date=24 September 2020}}
|5 |
| {{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|47|artist=Wizkid|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
| {{album chart|BillboardWorld|2|artist=Wizkid|rowheader=true|access-date=28 July 2017}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Wizkid (musician)}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Albums produced by Sarz
Category:Albums produced by Shizzi
Category:Albums produced by Spellz
Category:Albums produced by Del B
Category:Albums produced by DJ Maphorisa