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Wizkid’s Musical Journey: What you don’t know

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In the global music scene, few artists have achieved the level of success and influence that Wizkid has. From his early beginnings in Lagos, Nigeria, to becoming one of the most recognized faces of Afrobeats worldwide, Wizkid’s journey is a testament to his talent, hard work, and visionary approach to music.

This article takes an in-depth look at Wizkid’s evolution from his breakout single “Holla at Your Boy” to his current status as a global music icon, examining his musical growth, influence on Afrobeats, and contributions to the global music industry.

Early Beginnings:

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990, in Lagos, Nigeria, started his musical journey at a young age. Raised in Surulere, a district in Lagos, Wizkid was exposed to a variety of music genres, including reggae, fuji, and hip-hop.

His love for music led him to form a group called “Glorious Five” with some friends when he was just 11 years old. Although the group did not achieve commercial success, it was a crucial starting point for Wizkid, who soon began to hone his skills as a solo artist.

In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), a move that would prove to be pivotal in his career. Under EME, Wizkid released his debut single “Holla at Your Boy” in 2010.

 

The song quickly became a hit, it marked Wizkid’s entry into the Nigerian music industry. “Holla at Your Boy” earned him several awards and nominations, and it was clear that a new star was on the rise.

The Superstar Era:

Following the success of “Holla at Your Boy,” Wizkid released his debut studio album, Superstar, in 2011. The album was a critical and commercial success, featuring hits like “Tease Me/Bad Guys,” “Pakurumo,” and “Don’t Dull.”

Superstar solidified Wizkid’s place in the Nigerian music industry and introduced him as one of the leading voices of the Afrobeats genre.

Afrobeats, a genre that blends traditional African rhythms with contemporary sounds like hip-hop, dancehall, and R&B, was beginning to gain international attention, and Wizkid was at the forefront of this movement.

His ability to fuse local and global influences in his music made him a standout artist, not just in Nigeria, but across Africa.

During this period, Wizkid’s collaborations with other Nigerian artists, including Wande Coal, D’banj, and Ice Prince, further expanded his reach and influence. His music was characterized by its catchy melodies, relatable lyrics, and infectious beats, which resonated with a broad audience.

Breaking International Barriers:

Wizkid’s journey to global stardom took a significant leap in 2016 with his feature on Drake’s hit single “One Dance.” The song, which topped charts in over 15 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada, introduced Wizkid to a global audience.

“One Dance” became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time, and Wizkid’s contribution to the track was widely recognized.

Following the success of “One Dance,” Wizkid continued to collaborate with international artists, including Chris Brown, Ty Dolla $ign, Major Lazer, and Skepta. These collaborations not only expanded his global reach but also helped to further popularize

Afrobeats around the world.

 

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Mercy Eke Levels Up with an MBA from the University of Sunderland London

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Image: Instagram

Mercy Eke has never been one to stay boxed into a single narrative. From reality TV fame to business, real estate, entertainment, she has built a public profile through reinvention and strategic choices. Now, she has added another milestone to her journey; earning an MBA at University of Sunderland in London.

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram

Mercy’s rise began in 2019 when she made history as the first woman to win Big Brother Naija. That victory was more than just prize money and endorsements. It showed a woman whose confidence and competitive drive, traits that defined her on national television.

In 2025, she revealed she had started a Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in the UK shared her excitement about returning to school. She described the journey as “Chasing my dreams, back to reality. Learning and leveling up.” Today she achieved that milestone by earning her degree!

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram

Owing multiple businesses, an MBA reinforces her strategic approach, provides formal structure to skills she already demonstrates; negotiation, branding, investment, positioning and market expansion. This will further strengthen her credibility and professional profile.

In many ways, the MBA is Mercy Eke returning to her core: the ambitious business-minded and resilient woman who existed before the fame. Her journey highlights that visibility opens opportunities, but expertise sustains them.

Image: Instagram

Image: Instagram

For a woman whose public life began with cameras and competition, this academic milestone proves her story was never just about winning a show. It shows her strategic and bold approach to building her career on her own terms.

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Veekee James and Femi Atere Share Pregnancy News in a Dreamlike Reveal

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Photo Credit - Instagram

When Veekee James announced her pregnancy on Instagram, the reaction was immediate across Nigerian social media. The post felt bigger than routine celebrity news. It became a shared milestone. Fans, fellow designers and entertainers filled the comment section with congratulations within minutes, turning the reveal into a public celebration that extended well beyond her fashion audience.

The designer delivered the news in a short video featuring her husband, Femi Atere, and a caption that referenced faith and gratitude. The tone matched what followers already associate with her online presence: direct, spiritual and personal. The message arrived complete, as the couple is expecting their first child.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Veekee James’ rise in fashion has been built on recognisable craftsmanship. From bridal couture to red carpet commissions, her work is known for sharp construction and detail that translates strongly in photographs and videos, a quality that has helped her maintain a powerful digital following. The pregnancy announcement does not interrupt that professional identity. It adds a personal update to a public figure whose career has developed largely in front of an online audience.

Her relationship with Femi Atere has been visible since their engagement and wedding celebrations, events widely followed across Nigerian entertainment platforms. Coverage of their wedding placed them at the centre of celebrity conversation at the time, introducing their partnership to audiences who may not have previously followed her work in fashion. The pregnancy announcement continues that shared public timeline, marking another major life event witnessed in real time.

Photo Credit – Instagram

The scale of the response reflects Veekee’s position within contemporary Nigerian celebrity culture. She represents a generation of creatives who combine fashion, entrepreneurship and personal storytelling on social media. Many young followers openly cite her career as motivation, particularly women navigating business and marriage at the same time. Her announcement therefore sits inside an ongoing conversation about visibility, ambition and family life in the public eye.

Notably, the couple chose not to release additional details about timelines or future plans. The decision to share a single, clear message is noticeable.

Photo Credit – Instagram

Veekee James remains one of the most watched figures in Nigerian fashion, and her audience is now witnessing her enter a new phase of adulthood alongside the career that built her platform. The excitement surrounding the pregnancy is not limited to celebrity interest. It reflects how closely her supporters follow the milestones of a designer whose success has unfolded in full public view.

The announcement does not attempt to redefine her image. It extends a story her audience already understands, a designer building a career, a marriage and now a family under the attention of a national following that continues to grow.

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IShowSpeed Hits 50 Million Subscribers in Lagos, Celebrates Milestone Live

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IShowSpeed - Instagram

Lagos was the stage for a major milestone in online entertainment this week when American YouTuber and Twitch streamer IShowSpeed, born Darren Jason Watkins Jr., reached 50 million subscribers during a livestream from the city on January 21, 2026. The achievement coincided with his 21st birthday, which he celebrated live with fans in Lagos and viewers around the world.

IShowSpeed’s Africa tour, titled “Speed Does Africa,” began on December 29, 2025, and has taken him to multiple countries across the continent. His stop in Lagos drew particularly large crowds, highlighting the city’s role as a hub for digital culture and entertainment in Africa.

IShowSpeed – Instagram

The 50 million subscriber milestone was reached live on camera, with millions of fans watching the subscriber counter tick over in real time. At one point, IShowSpeed paused his security convoy to react live as the counter hit 50 million, sharing the moment directly with his audience.

This milestone places IShowSpeed among YouTube’s fastest-growing channels and confirms his position as one of the most influential Black creators on the platform. The event also showcased the growing global recognition of African cities in the digital entertainment space, with Lagos becoming a focal point for fans and media worldwide.

IShowSpeed – Instagram

During his time in Lagos, IShowSpeed visited several key locations, including local markets and cultural spaces. He sampled Nigerian food, including jollof rice, which he praised during the livestream, and interacted with fans on the streets, making the milestone feel both personal and communal.

Thousands of fans gathered during the livestream, capturing and sharing clips online, which drew global attention to Lagos and the broader African creator community. The event underlined the rising impact of digital creators across Africa and how local cities are increasingly becoming central to global streaming culture.

IShowSpeed – Instagram

For IShowSpeed, reaching 50 million subscribers marks a major career milestone. His journey from energetic gaming streams to global recognition demonstrates the power of personality, consistency, and audience engagement in building a worldwide following. With the Africa tour highlighting both his growth and the continent’s growing role in digital culture, Lagos will be remembered as the city where this milestone became a shared, global moment.

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