Afrobeats has taken the world by storm in recent years, and one artist who has played a significant role in its global success is Wizkid. With his unique sound and style, Wizkid has become a household name not only in Nigeria but also across Africa and beyond. In this blog post, we will dive deeper into the rise of Wizkid and Afrobeats in Nigeria, exploring their impact on the music industry and the cultural significance they hold for Nigerians.
About Wizkid
Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun, was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1990. He began his music career at the age of 11, singing in his local church choir. However, it wasn’t until he signed with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) label that his career took off. In 2010, he released his debut album, “Superstar,” which included hit singles such as “Holla at Your Boy” and “Tease Me/Bad Guys.”
The Rise of Afrobeats
Afrobeats is a fusion of African rhythms, Western pop, and hip-hop. It originated in West Africa and has since spread across the continent and beyond. In recent years, Afrobeats has gained global recognition, thanks to artists like Wizkid who have brought the genre to the forefront of the music industry.
Wizkid’s Impact on Afrobeats
Wizkid’s music has played a significant role in the rise of Afrobeats. His unique sound and style have helped to popularize the genre both in Nigeria and internationally. In 2016, he collaborated with Canadian rapper Drake on the hit single “One Dance,” which topped charts around the world. He has also collaborated with other international artists such as Beyoncé, Skepta, and Chris Brown.
Cultural Significance
Wizkid and Afrobeats hold significant cultural significance for Nigerians. They represent a fusion of traditional African rhythms and modern Western influences, reflecting the country’s rich cultural heritage and its connection to the rest of the world. For many Nigerians, Wizkid’s music is a source of pride and identity.
Wizkid’s Music
After a successful feature on “fast Money Fast cars” by then emerging rapper MI, he went ahead to release hit singles including Tease Me and Don’t dull. The Superstar Album followed, while receiving enormous love from the UK Afrobeats scene, he met Maleek Berry and this mix was magical, Their collaboration bore what we know now as StarBoy Ent, and Hits like “The Matter and One Question on the Ayo Album. After Releasing Ojuelegba, the song went ahead to become his international breakthrough song after Skepta made Drake do a remix. “One Dance” with Drake and also Essence’ a song which featured Tems from the album Made In Lagos. His newest album ‘More Love Less Ego’ features international Musicians like Don Toliver, Tay Iwar and Shensea to mention a few. Let’s not forget that amazing Feature on Beyoncé’s And Blue Ivy’s Brown Skin Girl. Wizkid has done it all.
Wizkid’s rise to fame and his impact on the music industry have been nothing short of remarkable. His unique sound and style have helped to popularize Afrobeats both in Nigeria and around the world, making him a global music icon. As we continue to see the rise of Afrobeats, it is evident that Wizkid’s influence will continue to shape the genre for years to come.
Submit your music to our playlists free on the Free Playlist Submission page.