Tag: Wizkid

  • Wizkid, Davido inspired my music career, says Micho Tello

    Wizkid, Davido inspired my music career, says Micho Tello

    Having started penning songs at the tender age of 11, Michael Omoh aka Micho Tello is one of the fast rising music stars trying to take the Afrobeats buzz to the next level.

    The young singer cum songwriter, who began listening to songs from Hip-hop greats at the age of 8, narrates how Wizkid and Davido influenced his decision to take up music as a career.

    “Ever since I was 8 years old I’ve always loved listening to 50 Cent and DMX and then MI came and I fell in love with his flows and his pen-game and rhyme structuring were way different, but to bottle it all up, Wizkid and Davido were my biggest inspirations they made me do music,” he began.

    READ ALSO: Last twin standing

    Continuing, he said, “I started songwriting at 11 but was still trying to develop my pen game. Fast forward to 2016, I finally recorded my first trap/rap song titled 7 Years which was inspired by Nasty C, the music came out great and everyone in my hood loved it and boom that was how I found myself doing music. I later met the legend Eedris Abdulkareem who encouraged me to talk more about the country’s hardship at least something more realistic, that prompted me to record my second single which is also my first Afro Hip Hop track titled “E De Pain Me” and I won a competition with that track, got featured on The Big Wave Magazine in Ghana back in 2019/2020.”

    Micho Tello, who is a versatile artist, sings, raps and also does poetry describes his type of music as Afro Pop Music and Conscious Hip Hop.

    The rising star sheds more light on his forthcoming singles saying, “The first track to be released is ‘Why.’ It’s an Afro Pop sound, no features, just me because I want to show my audience how diverse I can be. I could be water, I could be fire, I sing and rap. The second song is a conscious Hip Hop song titled ‘Acrimony’ which means absolute bitterness, ill-feeling. This particular joint is most special to me because I expressed myself how I wanted, it’s a relatable piece and I can’t wait for my listeners to hear this one.”

  • How I knew I’d be successful, by Wizkid

    How I knew I’d be successful, by Wizkid

    Award-winning singer Wizkid has spoken about his success, attributing it to his clear vision.

    In a recent interview at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York, where his documentary “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos” premiered, he shared that envisioning one’s goals is crucial to achieving them.

    According to Wizkid, one must “dream it before you achieve it.”

    The interviewer asked: “Did you always know that you would make it to this point? Did you see the vision before it happened?”

    Read Also: Nigeria’s deliverance will not come from Aso Rock, Archbishop Bassey declares

    Wizkid replied: “Yeah, absolutely, man. You have to dream it before you achieve it. So, yeah, [I’ve] always [known I would be successful].”

    He also offered valuable advice to young people, emphasising the importance of staying true to oneself, working hard, and maintaining faith.

    The singer’s words of wisdom come as no surprise, given his own journey to success.

  • Wizkid unveils daughter’s face at Tribeca film festival

    Wizkid unveils daughter’s face at Tribeca film festival

    Music sensation Wizkid has finally introduced his daughter to the public for the first time. 

    The debut happened during the premiere of his documentary “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos” at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. 

    The baby’s mother is Wizkid’s longtime manager and partner, Jada Pollock., who also has two older children for the Grammy winner. 

    At the event, Wizkid was seen doting on his daughter, carrying her in his arms and proudly introducing her to guests.

    Fans took to social media to celebrate this rare moment, praising Wizkid for showcasing his loving fatherhood. 

    The documentary, which follows Wizkid’s journey and ties to Lagos, received international acclaim.

  • Wizkid’s ‘Made in Lagos’ hits one billion streams on Spotify

    Wizkid’s ‘Made in Lagos’ hits one billion streams on Spotify

    Grammy-winning singer Wizkid has surpassed one billion streams on Spotify with his fourth album, “Made in Lagos”.

    Released in October 2020, the album has been a huge success, with his global hit “Essence,” which has garnered over 400 million streams.

    The album features a rich fusion of Pop, Afrobeats, and R&B, with guest appearances from notable artists like Burna Boy, H.E.R., Tems and Justin Bieber.

    Read Also: Wizkid’s “Made In Lagos” is first African album to get RIAA Gold

    The success of “Made in Lagos” has earned Wizkid several awards and multiple certifications.

    With this achievement, Wizkid joins an elite group of Nigerian artists with albums surpassing 1 billion Spotify streams, including Rema, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, and Omah Lay.

    He has continued to release successful projects, including “More Love, Less Ego,” “Soundman Vol 2” EP, and his 6th album “Morayo”.

  • Wizkid mourns mother two years later

    Wizkid mourns mother two years later

    Music star Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is still grieving his mother, Mrs. Jane Dolapo Balogun, who died on August 18, 2023.

    The Morayo singer expressed ongoing sorrow on X, writing, “Miss my Queen every day,” highlighting the depth of his loss.

    Earlier this month, Wizkid unexpectedly canceled several U.S. concerts for his Morayo tour, which his reason was rumored to be emotional struggles following his mother’s death.

    At his mother’s Night of Tribute in 2023, the Grammy winner gave a heartfelt speech, describing her death as the “deepest pain” he has ever experienced.

    Read Also: Wizkid: We made ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos’ documentary when life got crazy

    Her funeral was attended by notable figures, including Oba Elegushi, Tony Elumelu, Eniola Badmus, Osas Ighodaro, Kwam1, Wande Coal, Paul Okoye, Banky W, Pretty Mike, Mercy Eke, and Kim Oprah.

    Wizkid has previously shared that life feels “meaningless” without his mother, underscoring the profound impact her passing has had on him.

  • Wizkid: We made ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos’ documentary when life got crazy

    Wizkid: We made ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos’ documentary when life got crazy

    Nigerian born global music star, Ayo Ibrahim Balogun aka Wizkid has opened up on a documentary that explores his journey from Lagos to global superstardom, ‘Wizkid: Long live Lagos.’

    In a recent announcement, Wizkid revealed that the documentary was made when life got crazy for him.

    It is of note that on July 29, Wizkid performed in front of a sold-out Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, becoming the first African artist to earn that title with 45,000 fans in attendance.

    READ ALSO: FULL LIST: Six states where candidates affected by JAMB error will retake UTME exams

    In the same year on August 18, Wizkid lost his dear mother, Mrs Jane Dolapo Balogun to cancer.

    Recently the organisers of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York announced that the documentary will be premiering in June during the festival and will be screened at the festival on June 6, 7, and 11, 2025.

    In his words, “We made this documentary when life got crazy for me. Playing Tottenham Hotspur stadium while dealing with life! Glad I get to have my amazing fans and family on this journey with me. This is love! From a real place!”

    ‘Wizkid: Long Live Lagos’ is directed by Karam Gill and explores Wizkid’s journey from Lagos to global superstardom. It features interviews with key figures in his life and career, including Femi Kuti and Jada Pollock.

  • I played key role in Wizkid’s rise to stardom, global Afrobeats success, says Akon

    I played key role in Wizkid’s rise to stardom, global Afrobeats success, says Akon

    Senegalese-American singer Akon has claimed credit for playing a major role in Wizkid’s rise to stardom and the international success of Afrobeats.

    Speaking in a recent interview, Akon said he discovered Wizkid in 2008 when he was still a local Nigerian singer and signed him to his record label, helping him break into the global music market.

    He also claimed to have contributed significantly to the evolution of Afrobeats by introducing Nigerian artists to the business side of music, which he said was previously overlooked in favour of just creativity.

    According to Akon, he not only signed Wizkid but also worked with other Nigerian stars like P-Square, facilitating their exposure to international platforms.

    Akon expressed confidence that Afrobeats might not have achieved its current global popularity without his early efforts to connect Nigerian artists to the wider music industry.

    He said, “In 2008, I spent my time in Nigeria developing what you see today as Afrobeats. And all of them can attest to it.

    Read Also: Olamide releases single featuring Wizkid, announces upcoming album date

    “Wizkid was the first [Nigerian] artist we signed officially at that time. And then we went on to sign a group called P-Square, which was the first [Nigerian] group that made it internationally.

    “Wizkid was just the local Nigerian star before we touched him, and it opened up to a bigger market. I wouldn’t want to take credit for all of it, but I can tell you that if we didn’t do what we did, Afrobeats would still have been in the same position it was when we got there [Nigeria in 2008]. I can tell you 100 per cent.

    “I brought the business side of music to Afrobeats because all they [Nigerian artists at that time] knew about was the creative [side of music]. There was no business, no infrastructure, none of it attached to it.”

  • Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Tems nominated for 2025 American Music Awards

    Wizkid, Rema, Asake, Tems nominated for 2025 American Music Awards

    Afrobeats stars Wizkid, Rema, Tems and Asake have been nominated for the 51st  American Music Awards. 

    They are among the nominees for the Favourite Afrobeats Artist award, going head-to-head with South African Grammy-winner Tyla.

    This category, introduced in 2022, has already proven to be a platform for showcasing the global reach of Afrobeats, with Wizkid making history as its inaugural winner.

    Kendrick Lamar is dominating the nominations with 10 nods, including Artist of the Year, Album of the Year for “GNX”, and Song of the Year for “Not Like Us”. 

    Post Malone follows closely with 8 nominations, while Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, and Shaboozey each earned 7. 

    Taylor Swift, already the most awarded artist in AMAs history, has 6 nominations.

    The ceremony will introduce three new categories: Song of the Year, Album of the Year, and Social Song of the Year. 

    Jennifer Lopez will return as host for the first time since 2015 and will also perform. 

    The 2025 AMAs will take place on May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and will air live making it accessible to fans worldwide.

  • Culture now bigger than industry ‘big three’ – Davido

    Culture now bigger than industry ‘big three’ – Davido

    Grammy-nominated singer Davido has spoken on the controversial topic surrounding the country’s acclaimed ‘Big 3’ in the music scene. 

    The trio, comprising Davido, Wizkid, and Burna Boy, has been credited with catapulting Afrobeats to global recognition.

    However, Davido in an interview on ‘The Breakfast Club’ believes that the culture has grown beyond the trio, and the focus should shift from rivalry to unity to promote the genre’s growth. 

    “I don’t have a personal relationship with them. I did at some point in time. But I feel like the culture is just so big, and the conversation is bigger than the Big 3 right now — and that’s just the honest truth,” Davido said.

    He points to the rise of new artists like Rema and Ayra Starr as evidence of the genre’s continued evolution.

    Davido said: “There is Rema, Arya Starr, there are so many artiste for us to just make this thing about us. I feel like right now the three of us understand that it is bigger than us and whatever it takes for the culture to grow, whichever way we’re all for it.”.

    While Davido didn’t rule out the possibility of a collaborative record between the three global stars, he cited behind-the-scenes tensions as a potential obstacle. 

    He, however expressed openness to working together for the greater good of Afrobeats.

    “I mean it is not impossible, but I feel like people around us wouldn’t want that to happen. Some people make money off us not being cool, I guess, but with me, there have been situations where we’ve all been cool,”he added.

  • Wizkid deletes Instagram posts

    Wizkid deletes Instagram posts

    Music superstar Wizkid has deleted all posts from his Instagram account, which has over 18 million followers.

    This isn’t Wizkid’s first Instagram purge.

    In August 2019 and July 2022, he cleared his page, preceding new music releases.

    Read Also: Wizkid hails Super Eagles team ahead of World Cup qualifier

    This pattern has led many to believe that Wizkid may be preparing to drop new music or make a major announcement.

    Wizkid hasn’t said anything yet but the social media purge may be a strategic marketing move, aimed at building anticipation and refreshing his public image.