WizKid

Nigerian singer-songwriter Ayodeji "WizKid" Balogun became a star with the cornucopia of facile pop-soul melodies of Superstar (2011), notably Tease Me, Don't Dull and Holla at Your Boy. His mellow style was influenced by the sound coined by producer Julian "Juls" Nicco-Annan with singer Oluwatosin "Mr Eazi" Ajibade. Ayo (2014) and Sounds from the Other Side (2017) catered at the international audience of the dancefloor with smooth affairs like Come Closer, produced by Osabuohien "Sarz" Osaretin. The hits Soco (2018) and Joro (2019) were produced by Ezra "Northboi" Onozutua. WizKid returned to his roots on Made in Lagos (2020), produced by Richard "P2J" Isong (the brain behind Burna Boy's Twice as Tall). one of the bestsellers of African music thanks to the hit Essence (one of the biggest hits of the era). Smile (2020) was a collaboration with Gabriella "H.E.R." Wilson. More Love Less Ego (2022) is too somnolent despite attempts by producer P2J to pepper it with saxophone and amapiano log-drum.