Awards / Music / News

Wizkid leads 2022 Headies Awards winners: See full list

The 15th Headies Awards held in Atlanta USA on 4th September 24, 2022. The show was hosted by Emmy nominated actor Anthony Anderson and award-winning Nigerian actress Osas Ighodoro. Leading the nominations list for the 15th Headies is Wizkid who led with 11 nominations. Following behind him is Ayra Starr and Tems who both have 8 nominations each.

The Headies rolled out some of the awards during the live show with Wizkid and Tems leading with 5 wins while Patoranking, Burna Boy, Davido won 2 awards. Other winners includes BNXN who won the Next Rated Award and Ayra Starr who won the Viewers Choice Award.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

A voting category for the rookie of the year who has had a successful year musically, with the absence of an album in the year under review.

  • AV
  • FAVE (WINNER)
  • MAGIXX
  • PORTABLE
  • UGOCCIE

    BEST RECORDING OF THE YEAR

    A non-voting category for the best recording (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence; songwriting, production, rendition) by an artiste or group in the year under review.

    • “CELEBRATE ME” – PATORANKING (WINNER)
    • “ESSENCE” – WIZKID FEAT. TEMS
    • “JOY” – FALANA
    • “LOVING IS HARDER” – JOHNNY DRILLE
    • “MEJI MEJI” – BRYMO
    • “SOMEBODY’S SON” – TIWA SAVAGE FEAT. BRANDY

    PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

    An individual responsible for producing the most acclaimed song or album in the year under review.

    • BEATS BY JAYY – “GOLDEN” (A-Q)
    • BLAISE BEATZ – “SINNER” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. LUCKY DAYE)
    • NIPHKEYS – “FEEL GOOD” (MOHBAD)
    • P PRIIME – “OZUMBA MBADIWE” (REEKADO BANKS)
    • PHEELZ – “HIGH” (ADEKUNLE GOLD FEAT. DAVIDO)
    • SARZ – “MONALISA” (LOJAY & SARZ) (WINNER)

    SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR:

    A non-voting category for the writer of a song (that meets the judges’ requirements of excellence, composition, arrangement, rendition) in the year under review.

    • ADEKUNLE GOLD – “SINNER” (WINNER)
    • AJEBO HUSTLERS – “LOYALTY”
    • BRYMO – “MEJI MEJI”
    • FALANA – “JOY”
    • FIREBOY DML – “PERU”
    • OMAH LAY – “UNDERSTAND”

    BEST R&B SINGLE

    A category for the best r&b single in the year under review (by a single individual or group).

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Awards / Music / News

‘Essence’ regains top spot on Billboard US Afrobeats Chart after BET win

‘Essence’ rose from number 2 to snatch the top spot from Tems’ ‘Free Mind.’ 

Wizkid became the first African to win a major category at the BET awards after defeating American heavy weights such as DJ Khaled, Lil Nas X, and Doja Cat to the award. ‘Essence’ is Afrobeats biggest song in the US reaching the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The international hit has also spent 14 weeks on the Billboard US Afrobeats Chart.…

Awards / Music / News

Wizkid records historic win at the 2022 BET Awards

With the win, ‘Essence’ becomes the first African song to win a BET award and Wizkid becomes the first Nigerian and African to win an Award outside the Best International Acts category.

Other contenders for the award include:

DJ Khaled fest. Lil Baby & Lil Durk – ‘Every Chance I Get’

Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar – ‘Family Ties’

Doja Cat feat. SZA – ‘Kiss Me More’

Drake feat. Future & Young Thug – ‘Way 2 Sexy’

Bia feat. Nicki Minaj – ‘Whole Lotta Money (Remix)’

Wizkid had previously won the BET HER Award as a featured artist on Beyonce’s ‘Black Skin Girl.’ However, with ‘Essence,’ he becomes the first African lead artist to win a category other than the International category.

Over the last decade, Wizkid has being one of the major acts leading Afrobeats international push and it’s only befitting for him to be the artist to break the BET category limitation for Nigerian and African artists.

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Awards / Music / News

Billboard announces Wizkid as longest charting African artist, ‘Essence’ as longest charting African song

‘Essence’ which features songstress Tems has enjoyed an impressive level of success in the United States reaching the Billboard Top 10 and earning a platinum plaque in the process.

Billboard announcement is a confirmation of Wizkid’s success in the United States and an addition of another feather to his decorated cap. With his next album ‘More Love, Less Ego’ on the way, Wizkid will be looking to further break new ground internationally.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ gets certified double platinum in the US

On March 3, 2022, Nigerian singer, Wizkid‘s ‘Essence’ got certified double platinum in the US. This comes after it became the first Nigerian song to be certified platinum in the US.

An album or single is certified platinum when it moves the equivalent of two million physical sales in the US.

On October 5, 2021, it was reported that ‘Essence,’ Wizkid and Tems’ summer banger has been certified platinum in the US. It also becomes the first African song to hit that milestone.

To be clear, this is the version that features only Tems, and peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, not the version which features Justin Bieber, and has since peaked at No. 10 on the same chart.

On September 2, 2021, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s groundbreaking single, ‘Essence’ was certified Gold in the US.

 

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Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘True Love’ climbs American charts

On January 21, 2022, All Access reported that Wizkid‘s ‘True Love’ will officially crack urban radio in the US on February 1, 2022.

This comes following the lofty success of Grammy-nominated ‘Essence,’ which has since gone back up into the top 30 of the Billboard Hot 100. The success of ‘True Love’ also comes perfectly-timed for Valentine’s Day.

Word on the street says that the record was meant to be flagship single for Made In Lagos, till ‘Essence’ distinguished itself and found incredible success. The same rumors also have it that a video for ‘True Love’ has already been shot.

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Awards / Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid is named Artist of the Year and wins Song of the Year for ‘Essence’ at 2021 AFRIMA

On November 11, 2021, the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The night was filled with the celebration of African music from across the African Continent.

At the event, ‘Essence,’ the global smash hit and Grammy favorite by Wizkid and Tems, was named song of the year. The song also won Best Collaboration, while Wizkid was named artist of the year.

Other Nigerian winners at the award are Fireboy and Legendury Beatz – they won producer of the year.

Here is a full list of winners;

Best African Female Artiste in Inspirational Music – Shanah Manjeru

African Male Artiste in Inspirational Music – Iba One

Best Artiste, Duo, or Group in African R & B Soul – Nikita Kering

Best Artist or Duo in African Dance or Choreography – Flavour, Diamond Platnumz, FallyIpupa

Best Female Artist in the Diaspora – Naomi Achu

Artiste, Duo, or Group in African Pop – Iba One

Best Group – Sauti Sol

Best Collaboration – Wizkid, Tems

Shanah Manjeru was the youngest on the AFRIMA 2021 nominee list.

Best African Rapper Lyricist – Elow’n

Best Female Artiste in Northern Africa – Manal Benchlikha

Best Male Artiste in Northern Africa – Dizzy Dros

Best Male Artiste in Eastern Africa – Eddy Kenzo

Best Female Artist Central Africa – Shan L

Best Female Artist in East Africa – Nikita Kering

Male Artist Central Africa – Fally Ipupa

Best Male Southern Africa – Blaq Diamond

Best Male Artiste Western Africa – Iba One

Best Song Of The Year – Wizkid, Tems

Best Producer Of The Year – Legendary Beatz

Best Duo African HipHop – Fireboy, Cheque

Best African Dj – Sinyorita

African Fan’s Favorite – Fireboy

AFRIMA Artiste of the Year Award – Wizkid

Album of the Year – Iba One

Song Writer of the Year – Iba One

Best in African Rock – Rash Band

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Music / News

Wizkid reveals Justin Bieber reached out to him for the remix of ‘Essence’

Nigerian music superstar Wizkid has revealed that Justin Bieber reached out to him for the remix of his hit record ‘Essence’.

Wizkid had Bieber on the remix of his successful record ‘Essence’, which is off his 2020 album ‘Made in Lagos’.

Bieber’s appearance on the record has further driven the song up the Billboard Hot 100 Chart-the remix is currently number nine.

Speaking about the remix, Wizkid revealed that it was Bieber that reached out to him.

“He reached out to me and he loved the record. He sent the verse and it was just fire,” Wizkid told American entertainment media platform, Complex.

“We linked up and we performed it together. We got some more music together as well.”

Bieber was excited when he jumped on the remix, taking to his social media to thank Wiz for letting him be on the ‘song of the summer’

He also went ahead to create his video for his verse and brought out Wizkid to perform the song on his set at Made in America.

Wizkid has broken several records with the record ‘Essence’, which also features Nigerian singer Tems.

In July, it became the first Nigerian song to crack the Billboard Hot 100 chart and rose to top-20. In September, it topped the Billboard Hip Hop and R&B chart and in October became the first Nigerian song to be certified platinum in the United States.

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ cracks top 10 of Billboard Hot 100

On Monday, October 11, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s smash hit single, ‘Essence’ hit a new peak of No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Just week ago, the record at at No. 11. The record is also looking good on the Shazam and Urban Radio charts. This comes after ‘Made In Lagos’ hit one billion streams across all streaming platforms.

You can watch thoughts around the song on ‘Facts Only’;

 

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ becomes the first African song to be certified platinum in the US

On October 5, 2021, it was reported that ‘Essence,’ Wizkid and Tems’ summer banger has been certified platinum in the US. It also becomes the first African song to hit that milestone.

This was revealed by Charts Data, via its Twitter account.

To be clear, this is the version that features only Tems, and peaked at No. 54 on the Billboard Hot 100, not the version which features Justin Bieber, and has since peaked at No. 13 on the same chart.

On September 2, 2021, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s groundbreaking single, ‘Essence’ was certified Gold in the US.

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Foreign / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ set to become the first Nigerian record to hit platinum in the US

On September 21, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s groundbreaking Billboard Hot 100 hit, ‘Essence’ was rumored to have hit one million in sales equivalent.

This news was broken by the reliable Chart Data. This comes barely two weeks after the record was certified Gold in the US, becoming Wizkid’s second Gold record after ‘Come Closer’ featuring Drake. With this milestone, ‘Essence’ becomes the first Nigerian song to go platinum in the US.

After it fell last week, ‘Essence’ is back to No. 17 on the charts. Recently, Nigeria’s premier music chart publication, Turntable Charts also reported that ‘Essence’ has been the third biggest Nigerian song of 2021, so far.

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Music / News

Here are the top 10 Nigerian songs of the week: Kizz Daniel’s ‘Lie’ remains at No. 1 for fourth week

Kizz Daniel’s “Lie” stays at No. 1 for a fourth consecutive week on the TurnTable Top 50

Also, Fireboy DML’s “Peru” rises to No. 3 on this week’s Top 50 to become the artiste’s highest charting song.

Additionally, Ayra Starr’s “Bloody Samaritan” ascends to No. 5 on the chart to become the artiste’s second top five entry.

The Top 50 blends all-genre freemium streaming (Top Streaming Chart), radio airplay (Top Airplay Chart) and TV airplay (TV Top Songs Chart) in Nigeria. All charts will be dated and updated on Mondays, this week’s chart will be revealed on Monday, September 6, 2021

Lie” tallied 46 million in radio reach (down 11.8%) and 2.5 million equivalent streams (up 3.3%). In the process, it becomes the second to spend its first four weeks at No. 1 on the TurnTable Top 50, joining Teni’s “FOR YOU” with Davido (which spent its first five weeks at No. 1).

With the premiere of the visuals of “Lie” last Friday, it is expected that the song will get a bump in activity on streaming and debut on the TV charts.

Omah Lay’s “Understand” holds at No. 2 after topping the chart for three weeks. “Understand” becomes the second song to spend its first eight weeks in the top 2 region of TurnTable Top 50 – joining Olamide’s “Rock.”

Fireboy DML’s “Peru” moves to a new peak of No. 3 on the TurnTable Top 50 to become the artiste’s highest charting entry on the chart (surpassing the No. 4 peak of “History”). “Peru” tallied 3.71 million in TV reach (down 15.7%), 45. 3 million in radio reach (up 15%) and 1.42 million equivalent streams (up 28%).

Burna Boy’s “Question” with Don Jazzy rockets into the top five at No. 4 after drawing 10.3 million in TV reach (up 167.5%), 32.4 million in radio reach (up 302.5%) and 1.51 million equivalent streams (up 60.6%).

“Question” is Burna Boy’s fifth top 10 entry on the chart while Don Jazzy becomes the second producer to record a top ten entry as

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ is the No. 1 song on American Hip-Hop radio, as ‘Made In Lagos’ sells 200,000 copies in the US

he accolades keep racking up for Wizkid’s ‘Essence.’ Just days after it got remixes from DaBaby, Ghostface Killah and Raekwon, while the song also topped an R&B chart earlier last week, the song now tops the charts on Hip-Hop radio.

The Hip-Hop radio chart is complied by iHeart, which owns 855 radio stations across the US.

iHeartRadio functions as the national umbrella brand for iHeartMedia’s radio network, the largest radio broadcaster in the United States. Its main competitors are Audacy, TuneIn and Sirius XM. Kid Laroi‘s ‘Stay’ featuring Justin Bieber is No. 1 overall while ‘Don’t Back Down’ by Mammoth WVH tops the Rock charts.

Meanwhile, Made In Lagos has surpassed 200,00 in equivalent sales in the US alone. It will he eligible for a gold certification from the Recording Industry Association of America, once it reaches 500,000 in equivalent sales.

‘Blessed’ featuring Damian Marley, a song off ‘Made In Lagos’ has also surpassed 10 million views on YouTube alone. And that’s only the audio version of the song.

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Foreign / Music / News

Wizkid joins Justin Bieber on stage at Made in America to perform ‘Essence’

Nigerian music superstar Wizkid continues his amazing run with a performance at Made in America as a guest artist of Justin Bieber to perform his hit single ‘Essence’. Wizkid and Bieber recently collaborated on the remix of the record and the two performed it for the first time on stage at the Made in America music festival in Philadelphia.

Essence’ has been having an amazing run on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In July, Wizkid became the first Nigerian artist to have a record on the Billboard Hot 100 chart when ‘Essence’ broke into the chart at No. 82.

It rose to No.70 the next week and to No.67 the next.

In August, he cracked the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and also became the most Shazamed song in the United States for the week in review.

It’s currently on No. 13 on Blllboard 100 and also No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart which means Wizkid has a number one record in the United States of America.

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Uncategorized

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ to crack top 20 of Billboard Hot 100

On Sunday, August 22, 2021, Grammy-winning Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s smash hit single, ‘Essence’ was predicted to hit a new peak of 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.

This was made known by a Twitter account, Wizkid Radio. On the aforementioned date, the account wrote that, “Due to the remix with Justin Bieber, Essence received 23.2 million radio audience in the US, with 87.3 thousand unit sales this week. Rises to 58% chart points and emerging as the highest gainer amongst 100 songs.

“Predicted to reach a new peak of #16 on Billboard Hot 100.”

This comes after the song hit #44 on the chart last week Monday, three days after the remix with Bieber was released. The Canadian superstar also shot his own video for the song.

 

 

 

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Entertainment / Music / News

Download Wizkid’s ” Essence ” feat Justin Bieber and Tems

WizKid don’t need no other body, but he put somebody else on the remix of his hit “Essence,” featuring Tems: Justin Bieber.

The remix officially dropped Friday (Aug. 13) after one day’s notice, when the Nigerian superstar teased “something special” was coming on his socials before announcing the official remix featuring the Canadian pop star, who called it “the song of the summer” on his Instagram.

“Essence” debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 in July at No. 82 after the Tems-assisted song was released in October 2020 from Wiz’s album Made in Lagos. The sultry Afrobeats/R&B club jam has been steadily climbing the tally over the last five weeks, rising to its current position of No. 54 in the week ending Aug. 14.

“That song has become emblematic of being back outside,” Tunji Balogun, who was recently announced as the new CEO/chairman of Def Jam and signed WizKid to RCA Records in 2017, told Billboard. “Then, a narrative on the internet started about the song being the song of the summer — and we took that energy and ran with it.”

Download “Essence” remix below.

Download ” Essence ” Remix feat Justin Bieber x Tems

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Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ hits one million on Shazam, jumps to No. 59 on Hot 100

On August 6, 2021, Nigerian superstar, Wizkid’s smash hit, ‘Essence’ hit one million uses on Shazam.

The song, which currently sits pretty at No. 59 on the Billboard Hot 100 accumulated one million searches via the Apple-owned Shazam. In 2020, Master KG‘s ‘Jerusalema’ became the most Shazamed song in the world.

On July 31, 2021, ‘Essence’ also cracked the US iTunes top 50 chart.

A few weeks ago, the song cracked the top 50, which heralded is rise into the Billboard Hot 100. In 2020, Mr. Eazi‘s ‘Oh My God’ featuring Nicki Minaj topped the US iTunes chart within 24 hours of release.

On July 30, 2021, the song also rose to No. 67 on the Billboard Hot 100.

On July 20, 2021, the song rose to No. 72. This comes after the song which features another Nigerian singer Tems cracked the Billboard Bubbling Under Charts for the first time.

This marks a remarkable achievement for Wizkid and Tems, who are signed to the same label and for African music as a whole.

However, this isn’t Wizkid’s first time on the Hot 100 chart.

He got into the chart via his features on Drake’s ‘One Dance’ which hit No. 1 in 2016 and Beyonce’s ‘Brown Skin Girl’ which peaked at #76 in 2019.

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Entertainment / Foreign / Music

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ cracks the Billboard Hot 100, debuts at No. 82

This comes after the song cracked the Billboard Bubbling Under Charts for the first time. This marks a remarkable achievement for Wizkid and Tems, who are signed to the same label and for African music as a whole.

The song marks Wizkid’s third appearance on the charts, after ‘One Dance’ famously hit No. 1 in 2016. For Tems, this marked her first appearance, as her launch gathers heat.

 

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Entertainment / Music / News

Wizkid’s ‘Essence’ hits US Apple Music Top 50

Nigerian superstar Wizkid’s, ‘Essence‘ has broken another milestone by entering the top 50 chart on Apple Music for the US.

The top charts for Apple Music are updated every day. As of Sunday, the 4th of July 2021, ‘Essence‘ by Wizkid featuring Tems has occupied the number 50 spot on the Apple Music US Top 100 Chart. This was also confirmed by Twitter page @AfricaFactsZone, who claim ‘Essence‘ is the first African song to achieve this feat.

A lot of factors have led to ‘Essence’ making the top 50 on US Apple Music. One notable factor is that a number of international celebrities have shared videos listening to it in their spare time and at public occasions.…