Wizkid’s Sounds From the Other Side Surpasses 200,000 Units Sold in the US: A Milestone for Afrobeats

Lagos-born global music sensation Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has notched another impressive milestone in his illustrious career. His 2017 project, Sounds From the Other Side, has officially surpassed 200,000 units sold in the United States, according to recent reports circulating on X. This achievement underscores Wizkid’s enduring influence in bridging Afrobeats with international markets and solidifies his position as a trailblazer in the global music scene.

A Groundbreaking Project

Released on July 14, 2017, through Starboy Entertainment and RCA Records, Sounds From the Other Side marked a pivotal moment in Wizkid’s career. The 12-track project was his first major international release, designed to introduce Afrobeats to a broader Western audience while staying true to his Nigerian roots. Featuring collaborations with global heavyweights like Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, and Ty Dolla $ign, the album seamlessly blended Afrobeats, dancehall, reggae, and hip-hop influences, creating a sound that was both authentic and universally appealing.

The album’s lead single, “Come Closer” featuring Drake, became a standout hit, peaking at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning significant airplay worldwide. Other tracks like “Naughty Ride” with Major Lazer and “African Bad Gyal” with Chris Brown further showcased Wizkid’s versatility and ability to craft cross-cultural anthems. While Sounds From the Other Side didn’t achieve the same commercial dominance as some of Wizkid’s later works, its role in expanding the Afrobeats genre globally cannot be overstated.

The Road to 200,000 Units

The milestone of 200,000 units sold in the US, equivalent to album sales plus streaming and track downloads converted into album-equivalent units, reflects the project’s slow but steady growth in popularity. Posts on X, including updates from users like @yobrxxzy and @musicgossips in October 2024, celebrated this achievement, noting that the album had crossed this threshold. Earlier reports, such as one from @WizkidSource in March 2023, indicated the album had reached 155,000 units sold, highlighting a significant uptick in consumption over the past year and a half.

While no official confirmation from Billboard or the RIAA has been cited for the 200,000-unit mark, the consistent buzz on X suggests strong fan support and organic growth. The album’s longevity can be attributed to Wizkid’s dedicated fanbase, the global rise of Afrobeats, and the project’s timeless appeal. Streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube have played a significant role in keeping tracks from the album in rotation, with “Come Closer” alone amassing hundreds of millions of streams worldwide.

Afrobeats’ Global Ascendancy

Wizkid’s success with Sounds From the Other Side is part of a larger narrative of Afrobeats’ meteoric rise on the global stage. In 2017, the genre was still gaining traction in Western markets, with artists like Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy serving as its primary ambassadors. Sounds From the Other Side arrived at a time when collaborations with Western artists were becoming more common, helping to legitimize Afrobeats in the eyes of international audiences. The album’s polished production and strategic guest features made it a gateway for many listeners discovering the genre for the first time.

Since then, Afrobeats has exploded, with artists like Rema, Tems, and Asake achieving massive success and the genre earning its own category at major award shows like the Grammys. Wizkid’s early efforts with Sounds From the Other Side laid critical groundwork for this cultural shift, proving that African artists could compete on the global stage without compromising their sound or identity.

What’s Next for Wizkid?

This milestone comes as Wizkid continues to dominate the music industry. His 2020 album Made in Lagos and its hit single “Essence” featuring Tems have become global phenomena, with the latter earning a Grammy nomination and RIAA Platinum certification in the US. In 2024, Wizkid released his sixth studio album, Morayo, which has been met with critical acclaim and further cemented his status as a global icon. Tracks from Morayo are already climbing charts, and the album is poised to add to his growing list of accolades.

As Sounds From the Other Side crosses the 200,000-unit mark, fans and industry observers alike are reminded of Wizkid’s ability to create music that resonates across borders and generations. The album remains a testament to his vision and a landmark moment in the globalization of Afrobeats.

Final Thoughts

Wizkid’s Sounds From the Other Side reaching over 200,000 units sold in the US is more than just a sales figure—it’s a symbol of cultural impact. The project’s fusion of African rhythms with Western influences helped pave the way for Afrobeats’ mainstream acceptance, and its continued relevance nearly eight years after its release speaks to its quality and Wizkid’s star power. As Afrobeats continues to conquer the world, Wizkid remains at the forefront, proving time and again why he’s one of Africa’s greatest musical exports.

For fans eager to dive deeper, Sounds From the Other Side is available on all major streaming platforms. Keep an eye on Wizkid’s social media and platforms like X for updates on his next moves—because if history is any indication, there’s plenty more to come from Starboy.