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