The Lagos native is set to headline London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium later this month. NME speaks to him about the show, his global success, rivalries within the scene and being inspired by Bob Marley’s legacy
Wizkid, the Nigerian-born sensation, has emerged as a dominant force in the global music scene, pioneering the Afrobeats evolution. Known for his ability to fuse Afro-centric rhythms with vibrant melodies and irresistible grooves, he has become a true musical maverick.
His collaborations with international superstars have solidified his reputation for creating infectious hooks that transcend cultures and continents. In 2016, his collaboration with Drake and UK garage star Kyla on ‘One Dance’ broke records as the most-streamed song on Spotify at the time. Building on this success, WizKid released his critically acclaimed third studio album, ‘Sounds From the Other Side’, in 2018, featuring a versatile blend of Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, and pop. The following year, he collaborated with Beyonce on the Grammy Award-winning ‘Brown Skin Girl’ from her album ‘The Lion King: The Gift’.
Despite his long-standing status as the face of Afrobeats since his debut album ‘Superstar’ in 2011, WizKid continued to impress with his career-defining album ‘Made In Lagos’. This record showcased his suave vibe and versatility, incorporating fresher sounds such as amapiano. WizKid’s achievements include multiple gold and platinum RIAA plaques, Guinness World Record appearances, and becoming the first African artist with three platinum-selling tracks.
His latest album, ‘More Love, Less Ego’, demonstrates his chameleon-like musical abilities and his mastery of various genres. With this record, WizKid expands his sound while maintaining his enchanting appeal.
WizKid’s success has been accompanied by extensive world tours and performances on renowned stages, including Roling Loud and the Other Stage at Glastonbury. He sold out three nights at London’s The O2 arena during his ‘Made In Lagos’ world tour, featuring guest appearances from Skepta, Chris Brown, Tems, and Ella Mai.
Now, WizKid is set to face his biggest challenge to date – a performance at the 62,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London. Beyoncé has previously accomplished this feat, and Burna Boy became the first African artiste to headline and sellout a stadium show in the UK earlier this month. Speaking with NME, he discusses his love for performing, his longevity, and more while “micromanaging” the planning for this historic stadium show.
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