“I don’t make music for aesthetics. No be by ‘Make he sound fine’. One rule: Relatability. Even if na Segun from Ikorodu produce am, as long as wetin you dey talk dey connect to people wey matter,” he posted in pidgin English.
Since breaking into the mainstream in 2014 with his smash hit single ‘Woju’, Kizz Daniel has become one of Nigeria’s most celebrated hitmakers.
Among some of his recent relatable hit records is ‘Twe Twe’ featuring, which earlier in the year was declared by TurnTable Chart as the NO. 1 song of 2024 in a feat that captures its popularity and success.
Giants of Africa, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering African youth through basketball, alongside its founder Masai Ujiri, Vice-Chairman and President of the Toronto Raptors, has announced Giants of Africa Festival 2025.
Returning to the vibrant city of Kigali, Rwanda from July 26 to August 2, the event will bring together 320 young athletes from 20 African nations, and more than 20,000 spectators for a week of community, culture, basketball, education, and entertainment. The festival will unite communities, spark potential, and drive transformative change across the continent.
“Like these kids, I grew up on the continent,” Ujiri said. “As Africans, we know the landscape of what the kids go through. We know they dream just like we did and it really inspires me because, those kids have so much more talent and intelligence, they have ways to communicate now that we didn’t. This festival is about showing them there is a path. We want them to never stop dreaming.”
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will begin with an exhilarating Opening Show, as the athletes unite in an inspiring parade to kick off the weeklong celebration. South African international DJ sensation Uncle Waffles, MTV Video Music Award-winning choreographer Sherrie Silver, and Rwandan singer and songwriter, Kevin Kade will bring electrifying performances as Ujiri and special guests welcome all to the festivities. The awe-inspiring event will mark the beginning of life-changing journeys for Africa’s leaders of tomorrow.
Taking place across Kigali Sports City’s BK Arena, Amahoro National Stadium, Petit Stade, and Paralympic Gymnasium, the festival will showcase the full potential of Africa’s sports and entertainment ecosystem, highlighting its social and economic value for the next generation and the continent at large. Giants of Africa Festival 2025 will also serve as the grand opening of Zaria Court. Founded by Ujiri, the new mixed-use sports, entertainment, and cultural district includes an 80-room hotel, sports bar, basketball court, event space, retail outlets, gym, five-a-side football pitch, and outdoor public areas.
The festival will conclude with spectacular Closing Concert featuring performances from Nigerian Afrobeats artist Kizz Daniel and award-winning Nigerian singer/songwriter Timaya. Celebrity guests in attendance throughout the week will include Chris Tucker, Candace Parker, Robin Roberts, Chiney Ogwumike, Didier Drogba, Michael Blackson, Boris Kodjoe and more. Additional performers for both the Opening Show and Closing Concert will be announced in the coming weeks.
Since 2003, Giants of Africa has empowered youth through basketball, hosting camps and building courts across 20 African countries. The foundation not only teaches game fundamentals but connects young people with inspirational mentors who show how determination, leadership, and integrity can transform dreams into reality. Also central to their mission is basketball’s unique power to transcend barriers and unite diverse communities. The Giants of Africa Festival is a culmination of this vision, featuring a weeklong youth basketball camp and tournament that brings together young men and women from 20 nations. Youth campers will represent Senegal, Nigeria, Cameroon, Mali, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Benin, Gabon, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Tanzania, D.R. Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa. Giants of Africa and NBA/WNBA coaches and personnel will lead training sessions, with assistance from local coaches from the participating countries. A round-robin tournament will determine which countries and players will compete in the festival’s championship and all-star games.
This year, Giants of Africa will also present its inaugural Threads of Africa Fashion Show, celebrating culture, fashion, and design from across Africa. The show will spotlight the work of three talented fashion designers, each from a different region of the continent. Cameroon’s Hortense Mbea (Afropian), Niger’s Alia Baré (Alia), and Rwanda and South Africa’s Nyambo (Masa Mara) will each present their new collections, and come together for a moderated discussion.
Additionally, festival highlights include the International Youth Day Forum, presented in partnership with the Imbuto Foundation, Ministry of Youth and Arts and ALX, bringing together over 2,000 Rwandan youth and festival campers to hear from esteemed leaders. The Women’s Community Outreach Program will take place in Rwanda and across all 20 represented countries, offering leadership and education sessions in local communities to empower women and girls with knowledge, resources, and inspiration.
Giants of Africa Festival 2025 follows the inaugural Giants of Africa Festival which took place in Kigali in 2023 in celebration of the non-profit’s 20th anniversary. The event united over 250 youth basketball players from 16 African nations, drew in over 14,000 spectators, and saw an estimated $1.5M invested into Kigali’s local economy. The festival culminated in a closing concert featuring performances from Afrobeats icon Davido, Queen of Afrobeats Tiwa Savage, Rwanda’s own Bruce Melodie, and South African superstar Tyla. It was a beacon of unity, inspiration, and transformation that ignited the continent. Building upon their bold ambitions, Masai Ujiri and Giants of Africa are poised to make an even more powerful statement in 2025.
Afrobeats superstar Kizz Daniel has officially announced his highly anticipated world tour.
The tour has been tagged, ‘Uncle K.’
The tour is scheduled to kick off on May 24, 2025 and head to different countries across the continent. The final leg of the tour will be held in December 2025 in Nigeria.
Award-winning artist Kizz Daniel kicked off his upcoming album with the release of the highly anticipated first single, ‘Police’, featuring the legendary six-time Grammy winner Angelique Kidjo and singer and songwriter, Johnny Drille.
This marks the start of a fresh chapter for Kizz Daniel, setting the tone for his next era with an upbeat, feel-good track that’s all about infectious melodies, smooth rhythms, and exceptional storytelling.
“Police” is produced by a powerful trio—Ghana’s MOG Beatz (known for work with Sarkodie, Mr Eazi, King Promise), Nigeria’s Blaise Beatz (credits include Chris Brown, Davido, Simi), and Johnny Drille, who also lends his voice to the track.
Together, they craft a sound that blends modern Afrobeat, soul, and global influences into something truly infectious and easy to connect with. Driven by an addictive rhythm and witty lyrics,
‘Police’ stands out as a feel-good anthem to get people moving and smiling. Angelique Kidjo brings her Grammy-winning brilliance, Johnny Drille adds heartfelt emotion, and Kizz Daniel brings his signature flair—creating a fun, multi-generational sound that resonates across borders.
“Police” is a humorous lighthearted yet romantic song about a couple with conflicting schedules which results in him calling the police over his lover’s irresistible charm.
With witty lyrics and an engaging melody, the track offers a fresh perspective on love, blending humor with exceptional artistry.
The synergy between Kizz Daniel’s signature sound, Angelique Kidjo’s legendary charisma and global influence, and Johnny Drille’s velvet vocals makes this collaboration a must-listen.
‘Police’ is available for streaming on all major digital streaming platforms
Since bursting onto the scene with his cult-classic debut single ‘Woju’ in 2014, Kizz Daniel has continued to lead from the front to afrobeats music.
His debut album New Era was The Headies ‘Album of the Year’ in 2016, and he was nominated for The Future Awards Africa the following year.
Driven by the massive hit track ‘Nesesari’, Kizz Daniel’s 2018 sophomore album No Bad Songz topped the iTunes World Album Chart on its first day of release.
Since 2020, the Nigerian sensation has released four critically acclaimed projects, King Of Love, Barnabas, Maverick, and TZA, birthing essential Afropop tracks like ‘Boys Are Bad’, ‘Lie’, ‘Rich Till I Die’, ‘Showa’, ‘Marhaba’ and ‘Twe Twe’.
With over four billion streams under his belt, two Shazam chart-topping singles, sold-out tours across Africa, North America, and Europe, and over 25 million social media fans, Kizz Daniel is one of the leading figures at the forefront of representing Afrobeats on the world stage.
The enigmatic musician is the epitome of an all-round entertainer with a magnetic tone, captivating lyrics, alluring stage and screen presence, and an undeniably infectious musicality, which are just some of the irrefutable characteristics of all his songs, cutting across afrobeats, pop, and R&B music, from classic cut ‘Nesesari’ to chart-topper ‘Buga’ to fan-favorite ‘Cough (Odo)’, and everything in between.
After coming off of a very eventful 2022 that saw the global music sensation achieve huge milestones of being crowned the most streamed artist in Africa in the first half of the year, releasing the biggest afrobeats song of the summer with ‘Buga’, and performing at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony with Diplo and Calvin Harris, 2023 shaped up to be an even bigger year for Kizz Daniel, with the success of his fourth studio album Maverick, his Essence Festival headline performance, and chart-topping collaboration with Becky G among his many highlights last tear.
Afrobeats artist Kizz Daniel has expressed frustration with his fans, known as Vaddicts, over constant requests for financial support on social media.
He urged them to appreciate his presence rather than seeking monetary assistance.
The “Buga” hitmaker took to X to address the issue, stating, “Vaddicts make una stop all this money thing each time I’m online … shey we no fit just vibe ni ?! …. Even if God wan use me bless person , it will be in private not public . Not anymore ….”
Kizz Daniel’s fans responded with mixed reactions. Some understood his perspective, while others felt he was being unfair.
One fan, @GucciStarboi, accused Kizz Daniel of implying that his fans are “giveaway fans.”
He wrote: ”Are you lowkey saying that we your vaddict fans are giveaway fans ?? Delete this post now, we can’t take this from you.”
@Mygodfather__, suggested that Kizz Daniel’s situation is similar to Davido’s, who also faces demands for money from fans.
He wrote: ”This is the effect of gathering fans with giveaway. Davido dey suffer the same consequences too. So hold on for now”.
Another fan @realestos: stated: ”Na wetin make Davido get fans o, if you like go snooze, dem go leave u follow who Dey dash money next”
However, @lesbianunits supported Kizz Daniel, stating that his boundaries are valid and that “vibes should be natural, not transactional.”
”I hear you, and I respect that. You’ve got every right to protect your peace and set boundaries. It’s not every time person go show up and be expected to give. Vibes should be natural, not transactional. And if you choose to bless someone privately, that’s between you and God”, she said.
Afrobeats singer Kizz Daniel said he still lives like a “poor man” every day, stating that money chases him instead of the other way around.
According to Kizz Daniel on X, wealth doesn’t automatically guarantee happiness.
He questioned why happiness seems to fade when money comes, reflecting on the emotional emptiness that can accompany material wealth.
“Why when money comes, happiness dey always comot?” he asked.
The ‘Buga’ hitmaker noted that many rich people still live in sadness despite their affluence and warned that financial wealth comes with hidden burdens.
“Lol … I still live like a poor man every day. Na money dey chase me instead.
“Guys, I’m not saying don’t chase money. I’m just saying with money comes problems. People wey get am no go tell una the truth cuz they want to feel superior,” he said.
Kizz Daniel also cautioned against idolising money and the illusion of happiness on social media, which often masks loneliness, anxiety, or dissatisfaction.
Following the success of his critically acclaimed four-track EP ‘TZA’ and chart-topping single ‘Marhaba’, multi-award-winning Afrobeats sensation Kizz Daniel has officially set a release date for his highly anticipated fifth studio album, ‘Uncle K’.
The global music sensation recently announced his highly anticipated album will drop on May 24, 2025.
Alongside the album release, Kizz Daniel will embark on a global tour, starting in the United States at the CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore on May 24, 2025.
He will then take the stage at the Smart Financial Center in Houston on May 26, followed by the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on May 30, and The Wiltern in Los Angeles on June 1, with more dates to be announced across the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Europe, and Africa throughout the year, culminating in a concert in Lagos.
This marks the beginning of what promises to be an electrifying concert series, with additional tour dates and locations to be announced soon.
With a track record of sold-out shows across Europe, Africa, and North America—plus the success of the ‘Vado at 10’ world tour—anticipation for Kizz Daniel’s upcoming world tour is higher than ever. More than just an album launch, the ‘Uncle K’ tour marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter in his career as a global music powerhouse.
Fans can look forward to an electrifying experience as Kizz Daniel delivers his biggest hits alongside fresh tracks from Uncle K. With high-energy performances and an unforgettable atmosphere, this tour is set to be his most exciting one yet.
Since his debut, Kizz Daniel has continued to deliver timeless hits every year, breaking records and winning hearts worldwide. With Uncle K, he takes his sound to new heights, blending his signature style with fresh, innovative elements that showcase his artistic growth.
Since bursting onto the scene with his cult-classic debut single ‘Woju’ in 2014, Kizz Daniel has continued to lead the Afrobeats music scene.
His debut album New Era was The Headies ‘Album of the Year’ in 2016, and he was nominated for The Future Awards Africa the following year.
Driven by the massive hit track ‘Nesesari’, Kizz Daniel’s 2018 sophomore album No Bad Songz topped the iTunes World Album Chart on its first day of release.
Since 2020, the Nigerian sensation has released four critically acclaimed projects, King Of Love, Barnabas, Maverick, and TZA, birthing essential Afropop tracks like ‘Boys Are Bad’, ‘Lie’, ‘Rich Till I Die’, ‘Showa’, ‘Marhaba’, and ‘Twe Twe’.
With over four billion streams under his belt, two Shazam chart-topping singles, sold-out tours across Africa, North America, and Europe, and over 25 million social media fans, Kizz Daniel is one of the leading figures at the forefront of representing Afrobeats on the world stage.
The enigmatic musician is the epitome of an all-round entertainer with a magnetic tone, captivating lyrics, alluring stage and screen presence, and an undeniably infectious musicality, which are just some of the irrefutable characteristics of all his songs, cutting across Afrobeats, pop, and R&B music, from classic cut ‘Nesesari’ to chart-topper ‘Buga’ to fan-favorite ‘Cough (Odo)’, and everything in between.
After coming off a very eventful 2022 that saw the global music sensation achieve huge milestones, including being crowned the most streamed artist in Africa in the first half of the year, releasing the biggest Afrobeats song of the summer with ‘Buga’, and performing at the 2022 World Cup opening ceremony with Diplo and Calvin Harris, 2023 shaped up to be an even bigger year for Kizz Daniel, with the success of his fourth studio album Maverick, his Essence Festival headline performance, and chart-topping collaboration with Becky G among his many highlights last year.
Afrobeats singer Kizz Daniel has advised his colleagues on the importance of prioritising their craft over social media algorithms.
He cited American rapper Killer Mike, a four-time Grammy winner, as an example of an artist who has achieved success without depending on social media fame.
“Leave social media algorithms, focus on your craft … have you ever heard of a guy called KILLER MIKE guess not … 4 Times Grammy winner, stop chasing the number 1 song, it’s meh now = everything can be controlled …. Most of those songs numbers no dey correlate on other platforms … check “, he wrote on X.
Hot off the success of his recent hit single ‘Marhaba’ which dominated the charts and cemented his record as a forerunner in the music industry being the only artist with over 100 million radio airplay impressions on two tracks in one week, Kizz Daniel isn’t running out of steam as he returns with an exciting new collaboration titled ‘Pano tona’ which sees the internationally renowned sensation team up with fellow Afrobeat superstar Adekunle Gold.
Produced by frequent collaborators Philkeys, Blaise Beat, and Reward Beats, ‘Pano tona’ merges Kizz Daniel’s signature smooth, melodic style with Adekunle Gold’s dynamic Afro-fusion sound.
On ‘Pano tona, Kizz Daniel proves once more his ability to incorporate personal experiences and stories in his songs and Adekunle Gold Known for his urban highlife style complements Kizz Daniel’s energetic delivery with his smooth, soulful vocals, creating a perfect blend that gives a spellbinding layer to the song.
Not only do both superstars hand off the baton for the verses and choruses perfectly on ‘Pano Tano’, but the song also goes to stands as a classic in both performers’ rich catalog of songs as its uptempo pace and rhythmic chorus are unequivocal.
Kizz Daniel reflects on his recent achievements saying, “It’s been a remarkable year for me with the success of the songs I have released thus far celebrating a decade spent in the industry, and it only pushed me to create even more music that fans would love. ‘Pano tona’ with Adekunle is part of that journey.” Adekunle Gold adds, “Pano Tona is a track that celebrates our shared love for Afrobeat”.
With less than two months to round off the year, ‘Pano tona’ is set to cement the yearlong ‘Vado at 10’ celebration of the artiste as he started the year with ‘Twe Twe’ alongside Davido which topped several chats locally and internationally. He quickly followed with the TZA EP which has garnered more than 250 million streams and most recently the dyad release ‘Marhaba’ & ‘We Must.
