Wizkid is an Afrobeats icon who has now cemented his status as a worldwide music juggernaut. A perfectionist regarding his music, the Nigerian superstar has a collection of unreleased songs. Ghanaian-British producer Juls, spilled the beans when he revealed that though he has had a number of studio sessions with Wizkid, only True Love made it out. This track, off the critically acclaimed album Made In Lagos, was a testament to Wizkid’s high standards and how he could deliver timeless music. Despite his reserved nature, Wizkid has been breaking records with so much ease.
He recently became the first African artist to surpass 8 billion streams on Spotify, thanks to a catalog that includes international hits like One Dance with Drake. A winner of over 2 billion streams, this feat has secured him a Guinness World Record as the very first song to break the 1-billion streams landmark on the platform.
Essence further gave meaning to this global omnipresence as the “song of the summer.” Not everyone, however, is a fan. Laid-back, yes, but this Wizkid’s style has drawn fierce debates among fans, specifically Davido’s, who is his very long-standing industry rival.
30BG loyalists say Davido’s energy and versatility outshine Wizkid’s mellow and melodic flow. Songs like Davido’s If and FEM are pitted against Wizkid’s like Ojuelegba and Joro. The much-hyped rivalry has fired up numerous online battles; however, Wizkid’s supporters say his international appeal and the genre-defining edge prove that his artistry is unrivaled. Adding to the spice, Wizkid’s perfectionism is a far cry from Davido’s prolific releases. As Wizkid carefully selects his releases, Davido has taken over the scene with back-to-back bangers, attracting a different kind of audience altogether.
Still, the fact that Wizkid crafts songs that resonate years later, such as Ginger and Blessed, cements his status as an international music icon. Of course, Wizkid’s records do the talking-from monster streams on Spotify to being the most followed Afrobeats artiste. Love him or criticize him, he’s an unstoppable force that keeps pushing the bar higher for Afrobeats on the international scene. His perfectionism may keep his fans waiting, but when Wizkid finally delivers, he redefines the game.