The documentary Wizkid: Long Live Lagos captures the Nigerian superstar’s ascent from Lagos streets to global stages in a visceral, visually arresting format. Premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, the film offers intimate footage of Ayodeji “Wizkid” Balogun performing at charity concerts, studio sessions, and playing football with his father—moments that humanize the Afrobeats figurehead. According to its Tribeca listing, the film spans Lagos to London’s Tottenham Stadium, tracing the artist’s rise while highlighting how his music reshapes global perceptions of Africa.
Directed by Karam Gill, this documentary underscores the significance of family and community in shaping Wizkid’s identity. Scenes with his daughter and personal interactions provide a candid glimpse into his private world, balancing celebrity with vulnerability. The narrative weaves archival footage and behind-the-scenes moments, portraying not just his performances but his inspirations rooted in Lagos—a city seen both as a birthplace and creative incubator.
Visual highlight from Wizkid’s Long Live Lagos Documentary
Long Live Lagos extends its scope beyond music biography to address broader themes of representation and identity. It emphasizes the power of Afrobeats to reshape global discourse around Africa’s culture, agency, and creativity. Through interview snippets, the film reflects on how Wizkid’s global success uplifts Lagos’s youth and solidifies Afrobeats as a movement with cultural and economic influence. In this sense, the documentary is as much about empowerment as it is about chart-topping tracks.
The documentary’s inclusion in Tribeca’s prestigious “Spotlight+” lineup signals its cultural relevance. Industry talk surrounding its premiere suggests significant commercial potential, with acquisition interest already bubbling ahead of HBO Max distribution. Soundtrack elements and tight editing amplify the narrative, giving audiences both musical delight and storytelling immersion. The film’s presentation, including a director-led post-screening conversation, underlines its intent as both artistic expression and industry statement.
Wizkid’s trajectory, starting as a teenager in Ojuelegba and releasing his debut album Superstar in 2010, is the backbone of the story. Interviews and flashbacks reference formative moments: early church recordings, collaboration with producer OJB Jezreel, the launch of Starboy Entertainment, touring London’s Hammersmith Apollo, and Grammy-winning features like Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl”. These developmental chapters position him not just as a musician but a pioneer, paving pathways for future artists.
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Afrocentric sound with global resonance
Musically, the documentary explores Wizkid’s synthesis of Afrobeats, afro-pop, R&B, reggae, and pop. This genre fusion propelled him onto international playlists and streaming platforms, fueling his legacy as a global Afrobeats ambassador. His impact is highlighted through comments from collaborators and music insiders, reinforcing how his sound brings both commercial appeal and authentic representation to mainstream audiences.
A recurring theme is cultural reclamation: reclaiming African narratives and resisting external stereotypes. Through images of Lagos’s vibrant street life contrasted with shots of Wembley and Tottenham Stadium, the film symbolizes a reclamation arc—from marginalized representation to global stages. Wizkid’s success emerges not just as personal triumph but as cultural breakthrough, empowering a new generation to embrace local roots and global horizons.
Impact beyond music
Cinematically, Long Live Lagos is noteworthy for its visual depth, with Lucas Klingner’s cinematography capturing vibrant Lagos textures and Edinburgh stage luminosity. The soundtrack selection, credited to Craig Deleon, complements the narrative arc, accentuating moments of triumph, introspection, and cultural resonance. Joshua Whitaker’s editing delivers a narrative pace that sustains emotional connection while traversing multiple geographies and timelines.
The film’s success at a global festival highlights Afrobeats as a narrative fuel for cinematic storytelling. It sets a precedent for similar projects spotlighting continental music entrepreneurs and cultural innovators. With HBO Documentary Films distributing, longform Afrobeats stories may become mainstream, fostering a new creative ecosystem centered on African artistry and perspectives.
Wizkid: Long Live Lagos sets a high bar for music documentaries coming out of Africa—not just as biography, but as a culturally resonant, emotionally driven, and globally relevant film. Its presence at Tribeca, critical buzz, and potential streaming debut anchor Wizkid at the convergence of music, film, and representation. The film’s layered narrative—about family, culture, identity, and global influence—cements its place as a pivotal piece in understanding both Wizkid and Afrobeats’ ongoing legacy.
