₦airaland Forum

Ayodeji Balogun, famously known as Wizkid, on Sunday revealed his intention to step away from the music industry for an extended period. This is coming on the heels of the tragic loss of his mother a few months back.

Through a series of Instagram posts, the ‘Essence’ artist disclosed his plan to embark on a sabbatical that might span four to five years. During this hiatus, he hinted at exploring alternative interests such as football or golf.

Wizkid said, “I’ll be back in four years; you guys can enjoy my wealth for a bit. Or maybe five years, and I might even delve into sports – playing football or maybe even starting to play golf. FIFA or wrestling, perhaps! You all are insane.”

Wizkid’s absence will undoubtedly create a significant artistic void in the music industry, particularly in the Afrobeat and global music scenes.
While his statements seemed light-hearted, they raise several critical questions about the implications of his break and who stands to gain or lose from this hiatus. Let’s delve into these aspects:

Potential Beneficiaries:
Up-and-Coming Artists: With Wizkid temporarily out of the scene, emerging artists in the Afrobeat and Nigerian music industry may have a chance to garner more attention and recognition.

Concert Promoters and Event Organizers: The absence of Wizkid from the live performance circuit could create opportunities for other artists to headline events, potentially benefiting concert promoters and event organizers.
Potential Losers:

Record Label: Wizkid signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records/Sony Music International in March 2017, allegedly receiving a substantial advance in US dollars. The label, which has handled his distribution deal in the United States, might face a temporary reduction in revenue and influence during his break.

Brand Collaborators: Those who have benefited from collaborating with Wizkid may experience a decrease in opportunities while he is on hiatus, this includes the multiple brands he has signed ambassadorial deals with.

The financial repercussions of Wizkid’s break are challenging to quantify precisely. However, his absence from the music industry, combined with potential diversification into other fields, could lead to a temporary decrease in income for himself, his record label, and those directly associated with his music career.