I Persuaded Wizkid To Do Afrobeats – Eldee Says [Video]

Veteran Nigerian singer, Eldee The Don has recently opened up about his pivotal role in shaping the career of Grammy-winning artist Wizkid. During an appearance on the Adesope Live show, Eldee revealed that he was instrumental in convincing Wizkid to embrace Afrobeats, a genre that has since become synonymous with the artist's global success.

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, hails from the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, and is widely recognized as a leading figure in the burgeoning Afrobeats movement.

His music is a vibrant blend of Afrobeats, afropop, R&B, reggae, dancehall, and pop, which has captivated audiences worldwide. However, before achieving international acclaim, Wizkid's musical journey took a major turn thanks to Eldee's guidance.

In the early stages of his career, Wizkid was signed to the EME record label, where he initially leaned towards Reggae and Dancehall influences. Eldee recounted how he advised the young artist to incorporate more Nigerian elements into his music, urging him to find a middle ground that would resonate with local audiences while still appealing to a broader audience.

"Wizkid was leaning towards Reggae and Dancehall when Banky W signed him before he dropped his first single," Eldee explained. "But I told him he has to find a middle ground and do something Nigerian with a lot of flavors in it."

This advice proved to be transformative for Wizkid, who soon began crafting Afropop hits like "Don't Dull," which played a crucial role in his rise to stardom. The decision to embrace Afrobeats not only solidified Wizkid's place in the Nigerian music scene but also positioned him as one of the genre's most prominent ambassadors on the global stage.