Tell us a better way to celebrate one’s debut music project ten years on other than releasing a docuseries, we will wait. Wizkid has always been one step ahead of the game, and once again, he showed this distinctive awareness by releasing a docuseries titled ‘A Superstar Made In Lagos’ to commemorate 10 years since his debut album.
Indeed Wizkid was ‘A Superstar Made In Lagos’. He released “Superstar” in June 2011, and it’s no show and tell when it has enjoyed unparalleled commercial success as well as critically acclaim.
You can stream ‘Superstar’ by Wizkid here
Ten years on, not only has Wizkid become the superstar he hoped, his impact on the music industry cannot be overly emphasized. His music really did travel ‘with no visa’.
His docuseries features an interview from himself as well as from industry giants such as his mentor Banky W, Ali Baba the comedy maestro, Afrobeat veteran Femi Kuti, British-Nigerian boxer Anthony Joshua, among others.
Wizkid reflects on his childhood and his journey into music in the docuseries.
The Lagos-born Afrobeat superstar venerates Bankole ‘Banky W’ Wellington, who was at the focal point of his career and early success in the music business. He also claimed their meeting was a life-changing moment.
Banky W in contrast also praised the superstar, Wizkid, for his work ethic, talent level, and humility.
You may also like to Download Made in Lagos – Brand new chart-topping album by Wizkid
The revered musician and entrepreneur signed Wizkid when he was just 19 years of age, back in 2009. He recognised his (Wizkid) raw talent and wouldn’t be happier to be a part of his huge success story.
He says, “He would just go to any studio where they would let him hang out. He would hang out all day and just wait, and hope and pray, for the engineers or producers to take pity [on] him and say ‘come and record for 15/30 minutes’ cause obviously he couldn’t pay for his [own] sessions.
“All day long he would be working on hooks, melodies, and just coming up with things, in case he was given an opportunity to jump on the mic for a few minutes… For me, I think, that’s where the name ‘wiz’ comes from and why it’s so appropriate… and obviously the ‘kid’ cause he was very small in stature but big in heart [sic].”
Well, Wizkid is no longer a small-time musician, he’s grown through leaps and bounds with his music sitting right at the centre of his journey.
He’s also stayed true to his roots and has never discounted it at any point in his career. It’s no wonder he was able to make a masterpiece, ‘Ojuelegba’, from it.
‘Ojuelegba’ was released back in 2014 and, for all its worth, announced a new phase of his career.
The hit sounded his name across the shores of the continent and he’s since been an international superstar.
He also sits comfortably in the fore of afrobeat’s recent global recognition with the likes of Chris Brown, Skepta, Beyoncé, Drake, Wale, Damian Marley and more working with him on projects.
Wizkid has also recently been recognised for his contribution to Beyoncé’s anthem “Brown Skin Girl” with a Grammy award as well as the Soul Train and BET awards to show for his efforts. He was also on Drake’s ‘One Dance’ track which earned the Canadian rapper his first Billboard Hot 100 number one single, as the lead artist.
Every bit of success that comes his way is duly deserved. He truly worked hard for it.
He currently serves as a mentor just as he was once mentored by Banky W. Wizkid started his own record label, Starboy Entertainment, and artists like Terri and DJ Tunez have passed through his imprint.
In the exclusive interview by Terri, the artist salutes Wizkid’s strong will to always put in the work despite already being one of the biggest Afrobeats superstars yet.
Ali Baba, Femi Kuti, and every other person who appeared in the docuseries, had positive stories about the Starboy. It’s safe to say he would never be remembered as an underachiever.
You can also read about Wizkid ready to kick off #MadeInLagos tour.
Interesting