Wizkid - Music
By Rych McCain International/Nationally Syndicated Entertainment Columnist
WizKid
Nigerian Superstar Takes
The World!
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| Wizkid photo TCD |
The world’s motherland Afrika (yes many
of us spell it with a hard “K” for emphasis) is not only the birthplace of
humanity tor every race (including Europeans); she is the most bountiful
continent on earth for natural resources. This explains why covert governments
outside of her borders have colonized her and continue to keep intercontinental
strife going so they can exploit and rip-off Mother Afrika’s resources. One of
those resources includes natural talent. After all, the basis of every Black
American art form i.e., blues, jazz, r&b, funk, soul, jazz, zydeco even
country has its roots in the Black Afrikan people who brought their melanin
dominate rhythms, beats, vocals, instrumental playing styles and dance moves
with them via the inhumane slave trade to the U.S. to create what is now categorized
as the music forms mentioned above.
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| Wizkid TCD Records Photo |
American radio, TV and music venues
traditionally have been slow to promote talented artists from Afrika but with
the emergence of the internet this barrier has been broken down where music
lovers in the U.S. have become more aware of the exciting sounds of global
music especially from the motherland. As Bob Marley exploded Jamaican reggae
around the world, Afrikan artists are now globalizing their sound. Even though
he follows a long line of great Afrikan artists, 21yr-old, Lagos, Nigeria
native Ayodeji Balogun PKA “Wizkid” has begun a journey to set the world on
fire with his brand of music and live performances.
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| Wizkid on stage in Dallas, TX photo ACIRFA |
Wizkid is a complete lady
killer package with his handsomely, boyish looks, silky-smooth vocals, dynamic
rapping and seductive body moves in a hard-hitting, non-stop fast pace show
that keeps the ladies screaming and swooning while scrapping competively with
each other to steal a touch of his leg or out stretched hand as he glides past
on stage.
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| Wizzy in concert in Dallas, TX ACIRFA photo |
The magic and appeal of Wizkid has been
validated via major award shows such as “The
Music Of Black Origin Awards” held in Glasgow, Scotland where he won the “Best African Act” for 2011. At this
year’s 2012 BET Awards, Wizkid shared the “Best
International Act Award” with Ghanaian sensation Sarkodie. Wiskid burned a
hole in the stage a couple of nights before the BET Awards when he performed at
the Pre-BET Awards week International Reception at the classy SLS Hotel in
Beverly Hills. He was clearly the hottest act of the night and it was an all
out scrimmage to get to him for this interview when he came off stage.
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| Wizzy file photo |
When asked to describe his music, Wizkid
smiles, “Basically, my kind of music is fresh. I listen to all sorts of music
so I try to draw inspiration from everything I listen to create a unique sound.
I’m kind of like, just create that global music. Even though I’m from Nigeria
and may not be speaking what you can understand, at least you can dance and get
me. I just create fresh music.”
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| Wizzy's current album "Superstar" EME Records |
Wizkid currently has an album released titled "Superstar" on the Empire
Mate$ Entertainment label out of Lagos but he is working on a new one. As he
explains, “Right now I’m working on an international album. I just got a deal
with Konvict Music so right now I’m working with Akon so it’s pretty crazy. I’m
going to be dropping my album before the end of the year with a couple of
singles and collaborations. For me it’s all about global domination.”
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| Wizkid file photo |
What is the music scene like in Nigeria?
Wizkid lights up, “Everybody draws inspiration from everything. Everybody
listens to everybody. We follow the music in the U.S. and I think that’s why we
come two-times stronger because we know this is the competition right there.
We’ve got to get our music up to that level. It’s a great movement right now.
Afrika is doing her thing. Wizkid is quick to emphasize the love and
camaraderie between Afrikan musicians and their countries despite the divisive
picture painted to us in the U.S. news sources. He laughs, “A lot of people are
saying the Nigerians are flying high, we’re doing our thing but you just have
to give honor to what is due. We’re putting in work into what we do, but at the
same time, we’re still one Afrika you know.
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| Wizkid facebook photo |
There is no competition like that. We all are just having
fun, we’re trying to push our music out there. So for me, it’s not really a
competition man. It’s about putting in and letting people know your talent,
know what you sound like and know your music. Wizzy, as many fans call him, is
currently on a U.S. Canadian Tour through September. Catch him on twitter
@wizkid; facebook; wizkidmusic and his website, wizkidonline.com or
empirematesentertainment.com.
© 2012 Rych McCain Media/Syndication tm
(You DID Hear It From
Me!)
