Afrobeats superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has spoken out about the need for improved governance across Nigeria and the African continent.
The award-winning artist shared his thoughts during the premiere of his documentary, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos, held at the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
While celebrating the cultural strides made by African creatives, Wizkid stressed that leadership remains a crucial issue affecting the continent’s progress.
He encouraged fellow African artists to share their personal journeys, noting the importance of storytelling in preserving the African experience.
“I hope that every artist from Africa gets to tell their story like this. Because I’m not the only one from that hustle, we all came from there. I feel like everyone deserves the chance to tell their story like this,” he said.
“I always wish for more success for the whole culture; from music to film to sports. And I wish for better government. I’m just a very positive human being regardless of any thing. I wish the best for everyone making amazing music and amazing art from Africa.”
Meanwhile, fellow Nigerian singer Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, professionally known as Bella Shmurda, has voiced concern over the financial struggles of many Nigerian artists. In a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Shmurda claimed that several of his colleagues fall into debt due to poor financial decisions and excessive spending on non-essential items.
According to the Naija News report, the ‘Cash App’ crooner explained that many artists depend on major record labels to fund their projects because they prioritize luxury over sustainability. He emphasized that brand-building does not require extravagant purchases.
The singer admitted to making similar mistakes early in his career, but has since adjusted his approach to money management.
