Wizkid marked his 34th birthday on July 16, 2024, reflecting on a career that has reshaped the global music landscape and cemented his legacy as one of Nigeria’s foremost musical exports.
Since bursting onto the Nigerian mainstream at just 20 years old with his debut album ‘Superstar’ in 2011, Wizkid has transcended boundaries, earning acclaim as one of the greatest and most influential artists in Nigerian history.
Appreciate all of the love God bless and grant all the heart desires! Real thankful
— Wizkid (@wizkidayo) July 16, 2024
His impact on the music scene is profound, inspiring a generation of artists and propelling Afrobeats to international acclaim through his collaborations and chart-topping hits.
As the Grammy-winning artist celebrates another milestone, let’s commemorate 10 stellar records that Wizkid has set throughout his illustrious career:
- Guinness World Record Entry: Became the first Nigerian artist featured on Drake’s ‘One Dance’, the first song to reach 1 billion Spotify streams.
- Billboard Hot 100 Milestone: First Nigerian artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with Drake’s ‘One Dance’.
- Billboard Hot 100 Top 10: Achieved the first Billboard Hot 100 top 10 as a lead artist with ‘Essence’ remix featuring Tems & Justin Bieber, peaking at No. 9.
- BET Awards Triumph: First Nigerian artist to win a main category at the BET Awards, clinching Best Collaboration for ‘Essence’ featuring Tems & Justin Bieber in 2022.
- American Music Award Win: Secured Nigeria’s first American Music Award with ‘Essence’, named Favorite R&B Song in 2022.
- O2 Arena Headliner: First Nigerian artist to headline the O2 Arena for three consecutive nights with his ‘Made In Lagos’ tour in 2021.
- RIAAGold Certification: Earned the first RIAA Gold certification for a Nigerian album with ‘Made In Lagos’.
- Streaming Milestone: Most streamed Nigerian artist on Spotify with over 6.9 billion streams.
- Headies Awards Record: One of the most decorated artists at the Headies Awards with 17 wins, including multiple Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year accolades.
- Billboard 200 Longevity: Achieved the longest charting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200 with ‘Made In Lagos’, charting for 133 weeks.
Wizkid’s journey is not only a testament to his musical talent but also to his enduring impact on the global music scene. As he continues to push boundaries and inspire, his achievements serve as a beacon of pride for Nigeria and the entire African music industry.
