Nigerian singing sensation, Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has made history by winning the Apple Music’s African Artist of the Year 2021 at the Apple Music Awards 2021.
Apple Music made the pleasing announcement on its website, saying that Wizkid dusted all other African artistes in the year in review.
The Apple Music Awards honors the achievements in music across five distinct categories including Artist of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Top Song of the Year and Top Album of the Year.
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Winners are chosen through a process that reflects both Apple Music’s editorial perspective and the music their customers around the world are listening to the most.
“In October 2020, he (Wizkid) released Made in Lagos, his critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, which included his hit song “Essence,” a track that gained 125 million plays on Apple Music and over 2.8 million Shazams”, Apple wrote on their website.
“This past year, he’s been the most streamed African artist on the continent and ranked on the Daily Top 100 charts in 60 countries, in addition to his monthly plays on Apple Music growing by more than 250 percent outside of Africa,” the statement added.
In a citation on the website, Apple Music wrote:
Singer-songwriter Wizkid is one of Africa’s biggest crossover acts, having worked with Drake, Skepta, and Chris Brown, among others.
The Nigerian musician first found regional success in 2011 with the massively popular single “Holla at Your Boy,” which appeared on his debut album, “Superstar.” Wizkid went global in 2016 after his collaboration with Drake on “One Dance,” which soared to the top of the charts in 15 countries.
Between 2019 and 2020, Wizkid was featured in Beyoncé’s projects “The Lion King: The Gift” and its companion piece, “Black Is King.” In October 2020, he released “Made in Lagos,” his critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, which included his hit song “Essence,” a track that gained 125 million plays and over 2.8 million Shazams.
This past year, he’s been the most streamed African artist on the continent and ranked on the Daily Top 100 charts in 60 countries, in addition to his monthly plays on growing by more than 250 percent outside of Africa.
He’s also been featured on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and R&B Now playlists, and he’s a frequent guest on Apple Music Radio shows, including “Africa Now Radio,” “The Ebro Show,” “New Music Daily with Zane Lowe,” and “OVO SOUND RADIO.”
– John Opara
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