By Ofili Nonso
“It’s your boy Wizzy,”
That was Wizkid’s catchphrase at the start of his 2011 hit, ‘Holla at your boy’ a jam that burst to fill a vacuum in the Nigerian music space. Other hits followed like Pakurumo, Azonto, Sweet Love, Don’t Dull and even Ojuelegba – a megahit that catapulted him to global attention.
Wizkid, now referred to as “Big Whiz” has redefined and popularized Afrobeats. Being the most streamed artist on Spotify and having the most shazamed song in USA at the moment, he’s breaking barriers and building legacies. Not to forget his current hit song ‘Essence’, which achieved #3 spot on Billboard chart for R&B / Hip-hop Airplay.
Back in the day, music was spearheaded by the likes of D’banj, Wande Coal, P-Square and 2Baba (aka Tuface). Then came Starboy, breaking out as a leading voice in the new age of Afrobeats.
For him, it’s his catchy hooks and heavy percussion beats, vocals, or sweet sounding rhythmic chants with vibey lyrics done up in a blend of Yoruba and English. Little wonder he’s one of the only 7 to sell out O2 Arena in 12 minutes.
“Believe me, Wizkid is going to get another Grammy soon, because of Essence. Na global hit be that,” Emmanuel Okhiria, a Youth Corper said. With it’s remix featuring Tems and Justin Bieber currently sitting at #13 of Billboard’s Hot 100, the earlier stated Grammy is coming soon.
Like Brain in ‘Pinky and the Brain’, it’s Wizkid’s time to ‘take over the world’. He is bridging more gaps between the African sound and the world. From humble beginnings – Surulere and Shitta – he came, saw and is conquering.
