…By Jack Sylva for TDPel Media.
The Recording Academy, the organizers of the Grammy Awards, have caused controversy by referring to Nigerian afrobeat superstar, Wizkid, as an ‘up-and-coming artiste.’
The American award organizers posed a question on their Instagram story, asking about the up-and-coming Black artiste that everyone should have on their radar.
In response, the Recording Academy mentioned Wizkid’s name in the post, a move that has been widely criticized as demeaning and disrespectful, considering Wizkid’s immense success in the music industry, particularly in Africa.
Wizkid’s Influence on Young Artists Revealed by Joeboy
In a recent episode of the Body & Soul podcast, Nigerian singer Joeboy, also known as Joseph Akinfenwa Donus, shared how Wizkid has had a significant impact on the music careers of young artistes in Nigeria.
Joeboy stated that Wizkid played a crucial role in making young musicians believe that they could achieve stardom at a young age.
Prior to Wizkid’s rise to fame, it was often challenging for young artists to achieve widespread recognition until much later in their careers.
Joeboy further revealed that meeting Wizkid for the first time solidified his own belief that he would become a star in the music industry.
The Recording Academy’s characterization of Wizkid as an ‘up-and-coming artiste’ has sparked controversy and raised questions about their perception of his accomplishments.
Meanwhile, Joeboy’s testimony highlights the profound influence that Wizkid has had on aspiring young artists, inspiring them to believe in their potential for success at an early stage in their careers.