Wizkid’s star power is undeniable, and each career arc in his decade at the top has been more refined and potent than the last.  His most recent effort, ‘Made in Lagos’, which was released in a year of great personal and political change for many Nigerians, is a full-circle moment of sorts. Today, it’s still topping charts today despite being released 9 months ago.

Wizkid has spent years priming himself for this global moment, ever since he was dominating the streets of Lagos as Lil Prinz all through to 2011 when he signed with Banky W under Empire Mates Entertainment (EME). This culminated in the release of his debut album ‘Superstar’, the place where it all began.

At the turn of the decade, Nigerian music was undergoing a silent revolution with the likes of P-Square, 2Face, Mo’Hits, and more, pushing the sound globally while conquering ground at home and within Africa. At the time, while their music was quickly gaining steam in the clubs and weddings that characterised much of our social lives as Nigerians, a new star was emerging–one who would accurately represent and champion the new generation of young listeners clamouring for representation.

It’s hard to explain the importance of Wizkid’s ‘Superstar’ to anyone who didn’t grow up in 2010’s Nigeria. At the start of the decade, Wizkid released “Holla At Your Boy”, the charming earworm track that served as his official introduction as a solo artist. In the music video, Wizkid showed off his boyish charms and effortless swag in plaid t-shirts, snapbacks and skinny jeans, all staple sartorial choices at the time. Wizkid fast became a cult figure, inspiring similar fashion styles, gimmicks and sounds in many young people who were quick to crown him as the poster boy for the Nigerian Gen Z at the time.

At the time, piracy was rife within the country and it wouldn’t have been uncommon to see a cracked mp3 audio file with the title “Wizkid_dont_dull_NotJustOK.mp3” on many of our phones. CDs were also the main source of distribution and music consumption at the time, with Alaba market and its many iterations becoming the hotspot for staying on the pulse with all the best tunes of the time.

Revisiting the album after 10 years, it’s clear that it immortalised a time in Afropop’s history. Even this much longer after release, there still seem to be no skips, and the songs always there to lift the mood and spur everyone’s best dance moves. ‘Superstar’ is forever young and to look back on it now is to realise how fast it has all changed for Wizkid and for Afropop.

To this end, The NATIVE spoke with some die-hard Wizkid FC members about the album turning 10 years and what feels like the most defining moment of Starboy’s career. Here’s how they feel.

Oge (32)

Top 3: “Holla At Your Boy”, “Don’t Dull”, “Tease Me”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

For me, I’ll say my first impression was that it was a great album with fresh sounds, fresh looks and a modern taste. I was in my final year when that came out at the time.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?

Wizkid is ever-evolving. He has made a huge impact on Afrobeats globally and will forever be remembered for it.

Chubby (27)

Top 3: “Pakurumo”, “For Me”, “Don’t Dull”/“Holla At Your Boy”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I bought the album oh! That year. I had the hard copy even back when I was in uni. On my way to school, I would listen to the album on my computer.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?  

‘Superstar’ is a complete album. The replay value is 100%. It doesn’t sound old and has aged very well over the years. The versatility of Wizkid on that album sort of shaped his sound now.

Ebube (30)

Top 3: “Pakurumo”, “For Me”, “Don’t Dull”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I had a great album experience listening to Superstar at the time and I was amazed at how a very young boy came out of nowhere to clearly define the trajectory of the Afropop genre. I think I was in school at the time.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?

I can categorically say that album paved the way for a lot of young artists in the industry. It helped a lot of other artists build confidence in their storytelling, and also in infusing their life experiences into songs.

Damilola (32)

Top 3: “For Me”, “Scatter the Floor”, “Love My Baby”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?  

I was in London, depressed because I failed one of my modules and had to resit the exam that summer (this meant I couldn’t graduate with my friends). This album got me through that dark time.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?

It’s still Wizkid’s best album in my opinion so please argue in your compounds.

Misola (33)

Top 3: “For Me”, “Tease Me”, “Scatter the Floor”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I knew our boy was going to be a ‘soup or star’. From featuring on M.I’s “Fast Money, Fast Cars” to Jesse Jagz’s “Intoxicated” and D’Prince’s “Jonzing World”.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?  

I go back for original Wizzy. ‘Ayo’ is my favourite album from him though.

Dayo (28)

Top 3: “No Lele”, “Oluwa Lo Ni”, “Pakurumo”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I thought it was a fun album. Nothing mature or deep about it.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?  

I think it set the stage for Nigeria’s biggest superstar but to me, the album itself is not as significant as the artist.

Afoma (25)

Top 3: “Love My Baby”, “No Lele”, “Pakurumo”

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I think I heard this back in Law School. It was new and fresh and I had never heard of Wizkid before.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?  

Honestly, 10 years later, it’s probably still my favourite Wizkid album.

Jane (29)

Top 3: “No Lele”, “Pakurumo”, “Wiz Party” (Honourable mention: Gidi Girl)

What was your first impression of ‘Superstar’ and where did you first hear the album?

I loved it instantly. I don’t remember where I was for the album since I used to buy most albums as soon as they came out but I do remember the first time I heard “Holla At Your Boy”, a year before 2010. I was in the car about to be dropped off at my internship on McCarthy Street one morning and I was late to work but lingered in the car just so I could hear the OAP say the name of the song on the radio. They didn’t and there was so no Shazam at the time so I had to hunt for it weeks after.

Looking back at 10 years of ‘Superstar’, how would you measure Wizkid’s career impact over time?

I think Wizkid was the first proper superstar of our time (younger, Nigerian millenials that is). Now, people fawn over Machala and he has his own stan club but back then, I remember Twitter people clowned him and the album initially for being razz. I will neevr forget a tweet from someone shortly after the album release saying that it was so bad that he threw the CD away. 10 years later, there can be no argument that ‘Superstar’ is a great listen, back to back. I think Wizkid knew exactly who he was on ‘Superstar’ and has stayed on the course influencing the Afropop sound heavily. Wizkid has grown and played with his sound over the years but to me, he’s still true to ‘Superstar’.

Revisit ‘Superstar’ below.

Featured image credits/Superstar

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