Wizkid, other artistes made waves in 2016

Chux Ohai

The going was not all that smooth for many Nigerian music artistes who laboured against the odds to grab a piece of the market in 2016. While some fared well in the end, others managed to keep their careers and heads barely above water.

Only the most creative and focused, such as Wizkid, Falz the Bad Guy, Yemi Alade and Yemi Alade, to mention a few, were able to shine like a thousand stars.

Wizkid

Three years after pulling out of Banky W’s EME Records, Wizkid’s career has steadily been on the rise and the year under review has been an excellent one for him.

The singer’s winning streak started with the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards in South Africa, where he emerged winner in the Artiste of the Year, Best Male Act and Best Collaboration out of Africa categories, respectively.

Then on November 6 he was named Best African Act and Worldwide Act at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Interestingly on the same night, the talented singer emerged as Artiste of Year at the All Africa Music Awards held in Lagos.

In addition to winning  the Best African Act award at the 2016 MOBO awards in London, Wizkid  received his first-ever Grammy Awards nomination for featuring in American pop star, Drake’s hit song titled ‘One Dance’.

Only a few weeks ago, he was named Artist of the Year at the Headies Awards. The singer, who has been described as one of Africa’s best artists, also collaborated with the likes of Chris Brown , Trey Songz, French Montana, Justine Skye, DJ Maphorisa and few others. The year under review, no doubt, has been quite rewarding for him.

Falz the Bad Guy

Trained as lawyer, Falz the Bad Guy (real name is Folarin Falana) has also had an exciting and rewarding year as an artiste. He emerged the winner in the Viewer’s Choice Best New International Act category at the  2016 BET Awards in the United States of America. Also, the rapper won two trophies, namely the Best Afro Hiphop Video and Best Music Video, with ‘Karashika’ at the 9th Nigeria Music Video Awards, among other laurels.

Yemi Alade

Hardworking and sensational singer, Yemi Alade, proved to her critics that her achievement at last year’s edition of the MTV Africa Music Awards was not flash in the pan when she repeated the feat in 2016 in South Africa.

The singer, who came into the limelight after worming into the hearts of music fans in the continent with her 2013 single titled ‘Johnny’, was named Best Female Act for the second time running. She beat fellow Nigerian act, Tiwa Savage, Josey of Ivory Coast, Mz Vee of Ghana and Tanzanian singer, Vanessa Mdee to win the award.

Kiss Daniel

Two years after he debuted with the hit single, Woju, Kiss Daniel (real name Daniel Anidugbe) finally made it to the music hall of fame by winning three laurels at the 2016 Headies Awards.

The artiste has been described as the biggest winner of the night at the event, clinching the Best R&B/Pop Album, Hip Hop World Revelation and Album of the Year awards, with his 20-track New Era album, which had other hit songs, such as Mama, Jombo.