The 10 Hottest Artists In Nigeria #TheList2017: #2 - Wizkid
The 10 Hottest Artists in Nigeria #TheList2017 takes into account the hottest names in Nigerian music from the tail-end of 2016 till date. For the rest of the week, we’ll systematically reveal all 10 names on #TheList2017.
Be sure to continue refreshing your NJO homepage to see who’s next.
….and it's time for the Big 2!
The 10 Hottest Artists In Nigeria #TheList2017: #2 - Wizkid
2. Wizkid
For the 5th year running, Wizkid maintains his status as the only artist to be on the Top 5 of #TheList series here on notjustOk.com. The Starboy has largely stayed consistent over the years, suffering a slight blip in 2013/2014, and then picking things back up with Ojuelegba in 2015, culminating in his #1 status on #TheList2016. Since then, the Kid hasn't looked back.
On the international scene, particularly in the UK and America, Wizkid is Africa's leading light. Wizkid has successfully picked up from where D'banj left off, and taken Naija music farther than we've seen in probably the last 2 decades. Today, Wizkid has penetrated the American pop culture, regularly getting co-signs from the likes of Joe Budden and Ebro, getting featured by Jeezy, Tinie Tempah, Wale, Zara Larsson, Kranium, Vybz Kartel, and so many more.
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In terms of awards, Wizkid's vital role in writing, co-producing and getting featured on "One Dance" earned him some major honours, including a Grammy nomination, a Billboard Award, a MOBO Award for "Best International Act" - beating off the likes of Jay-Z, Drake, Cardi B - , "Best African Act" at BET Awards 2017, and several other key recognitions.
Wizkid's biggest single of the year is the Drake-assisted single, "Come Closer", attaining Gold status in UK and Canada. His 2017 EP, Sounds from the Other Side, debuted at #2 on the Billboard World chart and broke into the US Billboard 200; the first Nigerian to do so since King Sunny Ade some 35 odd years ago.
Wizkid is the highest-selling Nigerian musician, amassing the most digital streams on global platforms like Apple Music and Spotify. It's not even close, tbh.
There's so much more to say, but I'll let you read up a summary of Wiz's 2017 from the @AfricaFactsZone account on twitter:
Wizkid's 2017
1 ASCAP, 3 BBMAs, 2 iHeart Radio Awards, 1 Echo, 1 BET, 1 MOBO.
Grammy & Soul Train nod.
GWR.
Sold out Royal Albert Hall.
SFTOS on Billboard 200.
Tinie, Zara, Wale & Jeezy's albums.
Come Closer, gold in Canada & Silver in the UK. Peaked at #58 (UK),#54 (CAN) pic.twitter.com/mngs7kOZrE
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) December 9, 2017
Back in Africa, Wizkid hasn't quite enjoyed the same level of success in 2017. "Daddy Yo" was a December 2016, early 2017 hit, but never really got into the Top 5 in Nigeria. That said, he still had more than enough African hits over the years to storm several major cities across the continent to perform in sold-out stadiums.
With Wizkid featuring prominently on Mutay's debut single "Manya" (we all know it's Wizkid's song though), he can now lay claim to having a buzz single back home at the tail-end of 2017.
Congratulations, Wizkid! We're expecting a BIG 2018!
Congratulations bro... 2018 will make this year look like child's play ?? @wizkidayo
— Only1Sarz (@beatsbysarz) November 30, 2017
