The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Wizkid

  • Wizkid drops new video ‘Come Closer’ without Drake

    Wizkid drops new video ‘Come Closer’ without Drake

    Wizkid has dropped his much anticipated video for the single, ‘Come Closer’ but without Drake, the American rap artist.

    Drake’s absence was clearly obvious as his verse had no one to mime it except Wizkid, who handled situation very well.

    And it is already generating rave reviews, attracting accolades such as ‘it’s a dope’, ‘a game changer’, ‘it’s fire’ and so on.

    The video which was released on April 6, has already raked over 400,000 views on You Tube and over 3,000 on Wizkid Evo account.

    The audio on You Tube, has closer to 1.5million views.

    In the video, according to a report by MTV Base, a new blonde haired Wizkid is seen sporting an all-white outfit with some swamp green boots in the opening scenes.

    The video itself was wonderfully shot in the studio with dancers who are clad in African-face paint and African prints which ignited more admiration for Wizkid for projecting African.

    However, a fan took to his twitter handle to remind Nigerians that Wizkid also did not show up in the video of ‘One Dance’ by Drake..So we shouldn’t be angry if Drake also didn’t show up in his video.dr

    Wizkid in his response to his fans, said: “Had a family emergency during ‘One Dance’ video shoot, and Drake was on tour when we did ‘Come Closer’. No bad blood, one love still” .
    Meanwhile the tweet has been deleted.

    In 2016, the singer was absent during Drake’s video shoot for ‘One Dance’, and failed to make the final cut.
    According to some section of fans, it was payback time.

  • WizKid, RCA Records/Sony Music signs multi-album deal

    WizKid, RCA Records/Sony Music signs multi-album deal

    Singer Wizkid, real name Ayo Balogun has signed a multi-album worldwide deal with RCA Records/Sony Music International.

    The deal which was sealed after much speculation came after American rap artists Drake and Skepta released a remix of WizKid’s 2015 hit ‘Ojuelegba’ which was a global sensation and gave the singer worldwide recognition.

    According to twiiter handle @RCARecords, RCA Records chairman and CEO Peter Edge while welcoming the ‘Ojuelegba’ crooner said, “We are thrilled to welcome WizKid to the RCA Records family.

    Wizkid, also Head of Starboy Records to BillBoard, said, “It’s hard for me to describe what I do, since I work with rhythms from Afro-Beat, reggae, hip-hop, dance hall and others,”

    “What’s important to me is for music to be real, authentic, raw and timeless. I don’t wanna (want to) be boxed in to any one genre.”

    “He has become a superstar in the African music scene and will be a game-changer in bringing African music to the world. We are extremely excited to have him as a part of RCA and are eager for the journey ahead.”

    Speaking on the deal, Sony Music International president of Northern & Eastern Europe and Africa Adam Granite said, “We couldn’t be more excited to welcome WizKid to the Sony Music family.

    “This is an incredibly important signing as we look to make Africa a major source of repertoire for the world. WizKid is a key ambassador for this movement and we look forward to helping him conquer the globe.”

    The Afrobeats star who is a recent Grammy nominee for his song writing contribution on American musician Drake’s ‘One dance’ joins the league of Nigerian musicians who have been signed by the label.

    Stars such as Tiwa Savage, Cohbams Asuquo, Davido, Ycee, Ayo Jay had also landed the Sony/RCA deal.

  • Tiwa Savage, debuts collaboration with American rapper Remy Ma

    Tiwa Savage, debuts collaboration with American rapper Remy Ma

    Mavin Records ‘first lady’, Tiwa Savage has debut her international campaign with a ‘single’ collaboration with Grammy-nominated American rapper Remy Ma of Fat Joe’s rap crew, Terror Squad.

    Tiwa Savage collaboration would be on the Remy Ma and Fat Joe joint album entitled “Plata o Plomo”, currently on the works.

    “She is huge, she is like the African Rihanna type, you know,” Fat Joe said referring to Tiwa Savage.

    The Nigerian singer in 2016 signed a major management and distribution deal with Jay Z’s label Roc Nation in the USA.

    A move that made her joined the likes of Rihanna, J. Cole, Big Sean, Emeli Sande, Shakira and other American top singers who are currently signed to the entertainment company.

    The “African Rihanna”, as she was popularly called by her American fans, was then tipped by industry watchers to begin the international phase of her career.

    She recently attended the annual Roc Nation Brunch, and was pictured with Diddy, Jay Z, DJ Khaled, Remy Ma, Fat Joe, Kelly Rowland and others in the U.S.

    The “Eminado” crooner released her sophomore album in December 2015, and a deluxe version went live in 2017.

    She was nominated for the Best Video award at the 2016 Headies for ‘Bad’, her song with Wizkid.

     

  • 2017 is the year, promises Wizkid

    2017 is the year, promises Wizkid

    A WARD-WINNING hip hop artiste, Ayo Balogun, who is more popularly known as Wizkid, has planned to be busy dropping music for his fans this year.

    Taking to his Twitter account, Wizkid promised his fans that he’ll drop four mixtapes with his friends this year.

    “4 mixtape’s 2017! With some of my amazing friends!” Wizkid, who was not very active musically in 2016, tweeted.

     With over two thousand retweets and loves, Twitter fans of the Starboy act were excited and quickly egged him on. Some of them like @oreoluwaaabe wrote, ‘can’t wait daddy’,  @yungkesh7 wrote ‘Wizzy drop the flow’ and @yourgirltima who wrote ‘4 MIXTAPES??!! I’m about to die o.’

    Re-affirming his seriousness to make the most of the year, he followed up with another tweet. “2017 will be the one to remember,” he wrote.

    Last year, he had spent more time in the US before coming into Lagos for Christmas just in time to win the Artiste of the Year and Best African Artiste at the 2016 Headies and Soundcity MVP respectively.

     

  • Naomi Peller gets Wizkid as music mentor

    Naomi Peller gets Wizkid as music mentor

    Shina Peller’s 11 year-old daughter, Naomi Peller, who started her musical career at a tender age, will be nurtured by Wizkid.
    Wizkid, who is acclaimed locally and internationally, paid the young singer a visit recently.
    “Another big shout out to my bro Wizkid,” wrote Shina Peller, who was with his daughter during the courtesy visit.
    “Thank you for always supporting Naomi Peller and always motivating and inspiring her; it means a lot to her.
    “Naomi is starting her music journey at a very young age. I believe that investing in our children’s development from an early age is one of the most important contributions we can make. Was it Plato that once said that ‘Music is a more potent instrument than any other for education.’”

  • Wizkid emerges Nigeria’s first hip-hop Grammy nominee

    Wizkid emerges Nigeria’s first hip-hop Grammy nominee

    It is right to say that honcho of Star Boy Records, Wizkid, is rounding off the year on a strong note.

    Wizkid who took home top laurels at all the continental music awards that held this year, has been listed among the nominees for 2017 Grammy awards, which will hold at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, United States next February.

    This is a feat yet to be attained by any Nigerian hip hop artiste.

    His nomination stems from his contribution to Drake’s Views album in which he was featured in the lead single, ‘One Dance’. Thus, Wizkid is nominated as a guest artiste, and producer on Drake’s views album.

    The Drake’s Views Album will be competing with Adele’s ‘25’, Beyonce’s ‘Lemonade’, Justine Bieber’s ‘Purpose’ and Sturgil Simpson’s ‘A sailor’s Guide To Earth’ for Album of the Year category.

  • One night, two venues, three awards for Wizkid

    One night, two venues, three awards for Wizkid

    •Artiste grabs two laurels at MTV EMAs, one at AFRIMA

    They are top of the rang trophies from the two continental award ceremonies that took place Sunday night in Rotterdam, Netherlands and Lagos, Nigeria, leaving rave-of-the-moment pop star, Ayodeji Balogun, aka Wizkid shoulder-high with ‘Best African Act’ and ‘Worldwide Act’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards, EMA, and ‘Artiste of the Year’ at the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, respectively.

    In Rotterdam, the Nigerian act was topped only by Justin Bieber, who took home three trophies: Best Song, Best Fans and Best Canadian Act. He however matched Lady Gaga who won trophies for Best Female and Best Look.

    The encomium was quite resounding for Wizkid at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, venue of AFRIMA, where the trophy was received on his behalf by Beat FM’s OAP, Olisa Adibua.

    This feat is coming exactly 11 days after the Star Boy, as he is also called, clinched the ‘Best International Act Africa’ laurel at the ‘Music of Black Origin’ (MOBO) Awards, where he beat Tiwa Savage, Yemi Alade, Olamide and seven other nominees.

    It is indeed a year of harvest for the artiste who, only two weeks ago was celebrated as the biggest winner at the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA) in Johannesburg, grabbing three awards – Best Male, Artist of the Year and Best Collaboration Africa.

    This year’s EMA win for Wizkid followed the success of Tanzanian artiste, Diamond Platnumz who was the Worldwide Act winner last year.

    The award ceremony was as usual, resplendent with music and stunning visuals on the 2016 MTV EMAs stage, featuring epic performances that took over Rotterdam and aired live around the world.

    Host of the show, Bebe Rexha kicked off the global music celebration, crashing through the ceiling to start the party, followed by superstar Bruno Mars who delivered an upbeat performance of his smash single 24K Magic, lighting up the stage with his dance moves.

    Global phenomenon Green Day also returned to the EMAs stage with a vengeance, honoured with the night’s prestigious milestone award, Global Icon. After an explosive performance of Bang Bang, the group closed the show just days ahead of the US election with American Idiot.

    Wizkid was one of six artists from around the globe who were named as Worldwide Act winners; his fellow honourees were Shawn Mendes (Canada), Zara Larsson (Sweden), Maluma (Columbia), GOT7 (Korea) and Troye Sivan (Australia).

    The Nigerian multiplatinum R&B stunner made his EMA stage debut with the first global performance of his smash single ‘Starboy’. The performance began in a star-filled dome, which opened to reveal the singer.

    Host Bebe Rexha slayed her hosting duties while bringing the live debut of her new single I’ve Got U to the EMAs stage. Earlier in the show, she teamed with friend and the world’s no. 1 DJ Martin Garrix for a stirring duet of In The Name of Love with a full string orchestra.

    Best Push winners DNCE brought the party by performing Cake by the Ocean and Body Moves on a floating platform over the audience, complete with crowd surfers on inflatable donuts, cakes and pizza.

    Best Male winner Shawn Mendes wowed the crowd as he emerged from a holographic pyramid, while playing piano for a moving rendition of his hit Mercy.

    Best New Act recipient Zara Larsson shook the arena with a fierce medley of her massive hits, Lush Life and Ain’t My Fault.

    Lukas Graham commanded the stage with a passionate medley of their hits against a glittering backdrop of stars, culminating in a full-on orchestra for their smash ballad 7 Years.

    OneRepublic wowed the audience by performing their new track Let’s Hurt Tonight as rain poured down from the stage, soaking the band while they serenaded fans.

    Hometown hero and EMA Music Week Ambassador Afrojack rocked the house with his smash hits Gone and Hey.

     

  • Wizkid, Flavour, others emerge winners in AFRIMA 3.0

    Wizkid, Flavour, others emerge winners in AFRIMA 3.0

    The 2016 edition of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, was held on Sunday night in Lagos with winners emerging in various categories.

    The event was attended by celebrities from all over Africa who turned up looking their best.

    1. Best Male East Africa – Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
    2. Best Female East Africa – Cindy Sanyu (Uganda)
    3. Best Male South Africa – Black Coffee (South Africa)
    4. Best female South Africa – Sally Boss Madam (Namibia)
    5. Best Male Central Africa- Wax Dey (Cameroon)
    6. Best Female Central Africa- Bruna Tatiana (Angola)
    7. Best Male North Africa – DJ Van (Morocco)
    8. Best Female North Africa- Zina Daoudia (Morocco)
    9. Best Male West Africa – Flavour (Nigeria)
    10. Best Female West Africa – Aramide (Nigeria)
    11. Best Inspirational Female – Naomi Achu (Cameroon)
    12. Best Artiste/Dou/GroupBand in African Contemporary- Flavour (Nigeria)
    13. Most Promising Artiste- Amine Aub (Morocco)
    14. African Fans Favorite – Phyno (Nigeria)
    15. Song writer of the year – Unique (Uganda)
    16. Special Recognition Award- King Sunny Ade (Nigeria)
    17. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Hiphop- Stanley Enow (Cameroon)
    18. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Ragga & Dancehall- Patoranking (Nigeria)
    19. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Traditional music- Zeynab (Benin)
    20. Best Artist/Duo/Group African Electro -Such (Zimbabwe)
    21. Best Artist/Duo/Group African RnB – Henok & Mehari Brothers (Ethiopia)
    22. Best Artist/Duo/Group in African Rock -M’vula (Angola)
    23. Best African Jazz – Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa)
    24. Best African Group -VVIP (Ghana)
    25. Best African Collaboration – Mbilo Mbilo by Eddy Kenzo (Uganda) ft Niniola (Nigeria)
    26. Video of the Year – Dogo Yaro by VVIP (Ghana)
    27. Revelation of the year – Falz (Nigeria)
    28. Album of the year – Ahmed Soultan (Morocco)
    29. Song of the year- Utanipenda Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)
    30. Artist of the Year -Wizkid (Nigeria)

  • Wizkid shines at MAMA 2016

    Wizkid shines at MAMA 2016

    It was a day of glory for the Nigerian music industry as the country’s nominees at the just held MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA 2016) cleaned house.

    The annual award ceremony took place on Saturday night at the Ticketpro Dome in Johannesburg.

    Nigeria’s Starboy, Ayo Balogun, also known as Wizkid, was indeed the star of the night, carting home two of the most coveted categories; Artist of the Year and Best Male. He also won the Best Collaboration in partnership with Absolut alongside DJ Maphorisa & DJ Buckz for his role in the song, Soweto Baby.

    Wizkid, was not only the biggest winner for the night, he was also one of the best performers, delivering a superlative performance of his hit track, Ojuelegba with the Soweto Gospel Choir. He was also joined by DJ Maphorisa and DJ Bucks to perform Soweto Baby.

    Sultry Nigerian artiste and co-host of the show, Yemi Alade also did the country proud by winning the Best Female category.

    While Tekno emerged the Best Breakthrough Act, Patoranking’s My Woman, My Everything featuring Wande Coal was voted Song of the Year in partnership with Google.

    South Africa didn’t do badly either as Cassper Nyovest picked up Best Live Act while Emtee was rated Best Hip Hop. Sports personality, Caster Semenya was voted the 2016 Person of the Year while Hugh Masekela was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

    Kenya’s Sauti Sol was given the award for Best Group.

  • Wizkid, Olamide, to battle at MTV EMAs

    Wizkid, Olamide, to battle at MTV EMAs

    NIGERIAN superstars, Olamide and Wizkid, have been nominated alongside Alikiba (Tanzania), Black Coffee (South Africa) and Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) for Best African Act at the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards.

    Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, stated; “It is wonderful to see African artists nominated at the 2016 MTV EMAs on the same platform as global superstars of the calibre of Rihanna, Beyoncé, Drake, Kanye West and more.”

    In other categories, cultural icons Beyoncé and Justin Bieber led the pack with five nominations each. Superstar Adele followed closely behind with four nods, alongside Best Rock nominees Coldplay, Best New Act nominee Lukas Graham and Best Male candidate Shawn Mendes. Rihanna and Drake earned three nods each, including a Best Song nomination for their hit collaboration “Work.” Adele’s record-shattering hit “Hello,” Justin Bieber’s electronic pop track “Sorry,” Lukas Graham’s soul-pop ballad “7 Years” and the Seeb remix of Mike Posner’s dance smash “I Took A Pill In Ibiza” also earned nominations for Best Song.

    To celebrate a year of international artistry in a digital era that inspires creative connection between artists and fans more than ever, MTV unveiled the Best Song nominees in a vocal cover medley by Spanish rising artist/Internet sensation Leroy Sanchez. The reveal of the video was broadcast across MTV’s digital platforms and a coalition of media partners.

    The 2016 MTV EMAs will air live on MTV and MTV Base on Sunday, November 6 from the Ahoy Rotterdam in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.