By Cynthia Abbah
In honor of Wizkid Day, here’s a look at the remarkable achievements and records held by Nigerian Grammy-winning artist Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, in the music industry.
Wizkid has not only been an inspiration but also a trailblazer who broke barriers and propelled Afrobeats to global acclaim.
First Afrobeat Artist to Hold a Top 10 Position on Billboard Hot 100
Wizkid made history as the first Afrobeats artist to achieve a top 10 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. His song ‘Essence,’ featuring Tems and Justin Bieber on the remix, peaked at number nine, marking a significant milestone for Afrobeats on the global stage.
African Artist with the Highest Platinum Certifications in the US
With three platinum certifications from the RIAA in the US, Wizkid holds the record for the African artist with the most platinum certifications. Notably, ‘One Dance’ featuring Drake from his ‘Sounds From The Other Side’ album contributed to this achievement.
First African to Debut with an Album on Spotify Global Album Charts
Wizkid became the first African act to debut an album on the Spotify Global Album Chart with ‘Made In Lagos,’ which entered the top 10 upon its release. This feat highlighted his international appeal and musical prowess.
Longest Charting African Album on Billboard World Albums Chart
‘Made In Lagos’ holds the record for the longest-charting album by an African on the Billboard World Albums Chart, surpassing 100 weeks. It also reached number one on the chart, marking a historic achievement for Nigerian music.
First Nigerian to Be Nominated for the Billboard Music Awards
Wizkid was the first Nigerian artist nominated for the Billboard Music Awards, receiving multiple nominations for his collaborations and solo work, including ‘One Dance’ and ‘Essence.’
First African and Nigerian Song to Receive Platinum Certification in the USA
‘Essence,’ Wizkid’s collaboration with Tems, achieved RIAA platinum certification, making it the first African and Nigerian song to receive this honor in the United States.
African Artist with the Highest BET Award Nominations
Wizkid holds the record for the most BET Award nominations by a Nigerian artist, with notable wins outside the Best International Act category. His influence and success have garnered seven nominations throughout his career.
iTunes World Chart Record and Guinness World Record
Wizkid topped the iTunes World Chart with ‘One Dance’ and maintained the number one spot for over a week. His contribution to Drake’s ‘One Dance’ also earned him a Guinness World Record for the most played song on Spotify with over 1 billion streams.
First Nigerian to Win an ASCAP Award
In a groundbreaking achievement, Wizkid became the first Nigerian to win an ASCAP Award for his songwriting contributions to Drake’s ‘One Dance,’ recognized by The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
Grammy Award and Royal Albert Hall Performance
Wizkid won his first Grammy Award for his collaboration on Beyoncé’s ‘Brown Skin Girl.’ Additionally, he became the first Afro-pop artist to perform and sell out London’s Royal Albert Hall, cementing his status among global music icons.
