In typical Wizkid fashion, last night’s YouTube concert was more than just an artiste singing a couple of songs. It was a three-hour-plus video of Wizkid’s life, all the activities that happen in it before any concert, and an interview with BBC Radio 1 Xtra. He ended the video with a 50-minute live band performance. London-based Nigerian OAP, Julie Adenuga hosted this rare glimpse into the father of three’s life.
In watching ‘A Day in The Live’ of Wizkid, Netng learned new facts about the Nigerian star that most people may never have known. Here’s a list of five new things Wizkid FC gets to know about their favourite act:
1. Wizkid is working to release an album with London-based Nigerian rapper, Skepta. He initially said he was going to make an album with the rapper in 2021, and then reneged on his statement, saying the album was coming soon.
He said, ‘I think 2021, I’m gonna make an album with Skepta’. He then added, ‘You know what, let me rephrase. I’m going to make an album with Skepta, coming soon.’
2. He doesn’t like to give exact dates for his projects because he likes to surprise his fans, tries to avoid the pressure that comes with a date, and he’s always late. He told Julie Adenuga before the concert that, ‘My problem is I love to give people surprises. That’s why I don’t like to give dates or tell you when it’s going to come. I just say “it’s coming soon”. I hate when you can predict me.’
He later agrees with Julie that he also avoids giving dates because he is always late. He concludes by saying, ‘I don’t like to say we have this one coming tomorrow then I will now put pressure on myself’.
3. Wizkid met P2J while Burna Boy was recording African Giant. Pro2Jay, the full variation of the producer’s nickname, produced four songs off the Made in Lagos album. He worked on ‘Ginger’ featuring Burna Boy, ‘Smile’ featuring H.E.R, ‘No Stress’, and ‘Mighty Wine’.
Wizkid said they met at a ‘Burna Session’ and the first song they worked together on was ‘Ginger’. They met while Burna Boy was still working on the vibes for African Giant. Wizkid heard the tunes for ‘Ginger’ that day and immediately connected with the song. That was how they began their work relationship.
4. The last song Wizkid made in his house is ‘Joro’. He says his son, Zion’s extra energy around the house made it a bit difficult for him to record at home. He told BBC Radio 1 Xtra, ‘The last song I made in the house was Joro, and I had to wait till he (Zion) went to sleep to make that.’
5. His earliest musical influences were legends like Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Bob Marley. He still uses elements of their sounds in his music now, just as he did at the earlier stages in his career.
Another thing fans may not have known about the 30-year-old is that his best food is jollof rice, plantain, and suya. He says he loves suya because he loves to eat meat.
Wizkid loves to disappear for long periods on social media when he hardly ever posts anything. But one thing is sure about the artiste – he loves his fans. It’s videos like this, that makes him so endearing to them, and makes it possible for him to be one of the biggest exports and voices out of Africa.