Singer talks on his steady rise into the global music scene

Wizkid talks about his music influences, exploding career and emergence among other gist with DJ Semtex

“nfluenced my music”, he said, adding that he also grew up listening to the likes of Bob Marley and FelaKuti.

He cites his feature on a track off MI Abaga’s “Talk About It” debut album - ‘Fast money fast  cars’ as the defining moment that made him believe he could take on music seriously.

On his being able to conquer not just Africa but also penetrating into the Western market, Wizzy explained that it takes a lot of work, but music is universal and once people are able to tap somewhat into what an artist is saying, the work is pretty much done.

“Being able to make music that people can relate to without really understanding what you say but they have a clue and being able to give them good vibes and energy, that’s hardwork and if you are able to conquer that, then there’s no artist that’s not ready to conquer the world after going through all of that”  Wizkid explained.

On that turning point that led his music into the UK, Wiz attributes that to the internet, Nigerian fans in London, and meeting with Nigerian London-based Tinie Tempah as well as the management  outfit Disturbing London which discovered his music in a club and picked up interest in him.

Asked how he’s been able to adjust to working with a major label such as Sony, Wizkid says it’s not new to him, as he also has worked in that label capacity signing up artists and producers, stating categorically that he’s got a high work rate and he puts the label under pressure instead of the other way round.

“Not everybody needs a label, but if you’re smart enough, you could be the biggest artist in the world if you have the right machines, the right structure and smart people thinking for you, so for me it’s only right that I get a sweet deal that would benefit Africa and myself and take the music to another level,” Wizkid said.

On the pressure working with Sony, Wizkid says confidently that the hard work and pressure is actually on the team as he is always ready steady putting out records on a daily.

On the summer album coming,”Sounds From The Other Side (SFTOS)”, Wiz said it’s actually a mixtape because it is not his  best work, and it’s just out to introduce his sound to new audiences, bragging that the next one after which is the album proper is going to be insane.

The Starboy also revealed he has a mixtape in the works with American rapper TY Dolla Sign, and is also working with Skrillex, Travis Scott, Boy Wonder, YG and more.