NEAR TRUTHS: REALIGNMENT AND RECOGNITION
Underscoring the year's biggest stories (11/19a)
NEAR TRUTHS: THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
Nervous time in the music biz and beyond. (11/16a)
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NOW WHAT?
We have no fucking idea.
COUNTRY'S NEWEST DISRUPTOR
Three chords and some truth you may not be ready for.
AI IS ALREADY EATING YOUR LUNCH
The kids can tell the difference... for now.
WHO'S BUYING THE DRINKS?
That's what we'd like to know.
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WHAT IT IS: Nigerian-born singer/songwriter WizKid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, moves easily between his native Afrobeat, R&B and classic hip-hop. After first gaining regional success with his 2011 hit, “Holla at Your Boy,” the crossover act has collaborated with Skepta, Chris Brown and Drake on his #1 track, “One Dance.” His latest track, “Essence” f/Tems, from his Made in Lagos album, is currently Top 20 and climbing at Urban radio and #2 on the U.S. Shazam chart at presstime.
ALBUM: Made in Lagos
RELEASE DATE: 10/30/20
SINGLE: “Essence” f/Tems
LIVE: 17-city North American Made in Lagos Tour; performing at London’s O2 Arena on 11/28; Lost in Riddim Festival, more
INTERNET: 108m+ global career streams, 46m+ U.S.; 6.1m+ monthly Spotifylisteners; “Essence” #67 on Hot 100, #2 on U.S. Top 200 Shazam, #13 on Apple Music U.S. charts, #20 on Apple Music Global charts; #76 on ODA chart at presstime; playlists: cover on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits, R&B Now (cover), #OnRepeat (cover); Spotify’s Are& Be, Pop Rising, Hot Rhythmic, Afrobashment, more
RADIO: Top 20 at Urban, debuted #36 at Rhythm at presstime
PRESS: NPR, GQ, Rolling Stone, Forbes, WSJ, Vanity Fair, FADER, HYPEBEAST, Noisey, HighSnobiety, OkayAfrica, Vulture, Pitchfork, UPROXX, “Essence” on Barack Obama’s Favorite Music of 2020
BOOKING: UTA
MANAGEMENT: Starboy