Wizkid at 35: A Decade of Greatness and 10 Record-Breaking Milestones

For over a decade, Wizkid has remained one of Nigeria’s most commercially successful and globally recognized artists. Since bursting onto the scene at just 20 years old with his 2011 debut album Superstar, the Grammy-winning artist has played a pivotal role in shaping Afrobeats and taking Nigerian music to the world.

Wizkid’s influence transcends his hit songs. His sound, style, and success have inspired a new generation of artists and solidified his place as one of the most impactful figures in African music history. Through groundbreaking collaborations and consistent chart-topping releases, he has been instrumental in globalizing the Afrobeats genre.

As Wizkid celebrates his 35th birthday, we take a look at 10 major records he has set during his iconic career:

10 Landmark Records Set by Wizkid

1. First Nigerian Artist in the Guinness World Records
   – Recognized for his contribution to Drake’s One Dance, which became the first song to hit 1 billion streams on Spotify.

2. First Nigerian to Top the Billboard Hot 100
   – With One Dance by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla, he reached No. 1 on the chart in 2016.

3. First Nigerian Lead Artist in Billboard Hot 100 Top 10
   – Essence (Remix) featuring Tems and Justin Bieber peaked at No. 9, marking a historic achievement for Nigerian music.

4. First Nigerian to Win a Major BET Award Category
   – Essence won Best Collaboration at the 2022 BET Awards.

5. First Nigerian to Win an American Music Award
   – Essence also took home Favourite R&B Song at the 2022 AMAs.

6. First Nigerian Artist to Headline the O2 Arena Three Nights in a Row
   – Achieved during his Made in Lagos tour in 2021, drawing massive international crowds.

7. First Nigerian Album Certified Gold by the RIAA
   – Made in Lagos became the first Nigerian album to receive the prestigious certification in the U.S.

8. Most-Streamed Nigerian Artist on Spotify
   – With over 8.7 billion streams, Wizkid holds the crown for Spotify dominance among Nigerian artists.

9. One of the Most Decorated Headies Award Winners
   – With 17 wins, including multiple Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Artist of the Year accolades.

10. Longest-Charting Nigerian Album on Billboard 200
    – Made in Lagos spent 133 weeks on the chart, a record for Nigerian music.

 Wizkid continues to blaze a trail for Afrobeats on the world stage. His legacy is not just in his records, but in the doors he’s opened for countless African artists. Here’s to many more years of greatness.