Wizkid is having a breakthrough year with the success of his hugely popular summer smash, āEssence.āĀ
The Nigerian superstar has been busy making a name for himself and on behalf of African artists since releasing his fourth studio album, āMade in Lagos,ā just over a year ago.Ā Ā
Last month, Wizkid headlined the United Statesā first Afrobeats festival, āLost in Riddimā in Sacramento, California. Heās spent months on a sell-out tour of the album across North America and the United Kingdom.Ā Ā He also performed and headlined at numerous other music festivals over the summer.
Last week, the groundbreaking chart-topper picked up five Soul Train Award nominations making him the most nominated and awarded African artist ever. Heās shortlisted in multiple categories, including Video of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Collaboration, and the Ashford and Simpson Songwriterās Award, alongside fellow Lagos native Tems, who helped write āEssence.ā āMade in Lagosā also received a nod for Album of the Year.Ā Ā
ā¢ Album Of The Year – Made In Lagos
ā¢ Song Of The Year – Essence
ā¢ Best Collaboration – Essence
ā¢ Video Of The Year – Essence
ā¢ The Ashford & Simpson Songwriterās Award – Essence
Wizkid picked up a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for his song with BeyoncĆ©; āBrown Skin Girlā last year and is under consideration for 10 Categories this year.Ā Ā
.@wizkidayo https://t.co/tLIxcPZ6hK
Additionally, Wizkid is currently sitting atop the number one spot on six of the Billboard Charts.Ā
Wizkid has achieved pop success in the United States like no other African artist but rejects any labeling of his music.Ā Ā
āI donāt even call my music āAfrobeatsā or āAfropop.ā I just make good music,ā he said in a recent interview with Billboard. āYou just have to keep proving people wrong. We make quality music in Africa. You can take our music anywhere, and it will stand the test of time. It stands up quality wise to any music anywhere in the world.āĀ