Singer is Africa's foremost music ambassador

The singer has also had his name mentioned in international publications, his music played on mainstream US radio, his shows booked to capacity at capacity stadiums in Africa, performed in Amsterdam at a Chris Brown tour, Essence Music Festival and a lot of choice venues.

The singer is also gearing up for the release of a body of work. On this issue, there are divided reports. Some camps bear information that the planned body of work is an album, others are championing an EP. Regardless, a body of work is sure this year. He has also extended his Starboy Entertainment, dipping his hands into sister country Ghana, and snapping up Efya, Mr Eazi, and R2bees.

With his exploits so far, there has been a concerted global campaign towards African pop music. Davido has a deal with Sony, Ayo Jay just got signed to RCA, Tiwa Savage is about to ink an international management deal with Jay Z’s Roc Nation. There are still rumours of more in the making, with the continent being opened up and labels marking up their territories as experts forecast an arms race to grab the best acts with crossover potential.

A lot of these have had Wizkid at the front of it all, working hard, recording his life away, and the resultant spotlight filtering past him and becoming something bigger for the continent. Right now Wizkid is Africa’s number one. That position has been occupied in the past by a long list of talented stars from the country. 2face Idibia has had his legendary run, D’banj once was seen as the messiah, and although he is contested fiercely at home by Davido, he still stays top of the lot.

With more light on Wizkid, there’s a general feeling that he is Nigeria’s pop music ambassador, representing us in foreign waters and spreading our gospel. The kids here look up to him, and that followership has increased, most partly because he has raised the ceiling of achievement for our industry. His name is on the Billboard Hot 100 Charts, where it is hugging the top position.

Previously, collaborations between African artistes and their US counterparts have been at the will and cost of the Africans, with Davido recently paying top dollar to get Meek Mill, and Sarkodie having his record with Acehood leaving a $25,000 hole in his pockets. This has been turned around by Wizkid, with the potential for us to be the sole benefactors of such an enterprise now being explored.

As his work continues, Wizkid has become Nigeria’s ambassador for music affairs, spreading our word far into the world. Sure there are many names that shine the light on the Nigerian continent right now. But Wizkid leads them all.