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On June 12, 2011, 20-year-old Wizkid released his debut album whose title was a proclamation of what was to come and which music would alter the Nigerian soundscape.

How Wizkid’s debut album ‘Superstar’ inspired a generation | Pulse Nigeria

Adeayo Adebiyi

<h2>On June 12, 2011, 20-year-old Wizkid released his debut album whose title was a proclamation of what was to come and which music would alter the Nigerian soundscape.</h2>

<p>On this week’s Afrobeats throwback, we will be celebrating the 13th anniversary of Wizkid’s classic debut and how it inspired a generation.</p>

<p>Before the release of his debut album<strong><em> ‘Superstar’</em></strong>, Wizkid gave listeners a peek into his talent with the charming new school Afropop record<em> ‘Holla At Your Boy’</em>. The song instantly attracted the attention of a generation of teenage listeners born in the mid-90s and eagerly craving for an artist they could connect to.</p>

<p>Wizkid’s boyish look and new school sound were perfectly captured through the <strong>Patrick</strong> <strong>Elis</strong>-directed music video for <em>‘Holla At Your Boy’</em>.</p>

<p>In the video set in a High School, <strong>Wizkid</strong> embodied the swag of a new generation. He rocked a pair of pencil jeans and a cool T-shirt with a rosary hanging over his neck. He wore cool sneakers and a fly P-cap. He had a cool bicycle, hung out with a cool squad, and dated the prettiest girl in school. Everything Wizkid embodied in the music video was the definition of what it means to be cool to a generation of teenage Nigerian listeners who were coming of age and would form the core part of his legion of fans.</p>

<p>Before Wizkid’s entrance, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/big-3-artists-of-the-different-eras-of-afrobeats-from-1999/tpfxmkg">Nigerian mainstream music had seen several stars</a> some of which altered the soundscape. The seminal talent Wande Coal released his debut album <strong><em>‘Mushin 2 Mohits’</em></strong> in 2009 and the project would form the blueprint for several artists including Wizkid.</p>

<p>Wizkid’s entrance with <strong><em>‘Superstar’ </em></strong>redefined the soundscape of Nigerian pop music by delivering exciting Afropop records that thrived on cultural familiarity and embraced a more contemporary and excitingly youthful melody, writing, and delivery.</p>

<p>Together with a collection of producers led by the era-defining <strong>Samklef</strong>, Wizkid curated a modern and refreshingly youthful take on Nigerian pop music that redefined the scene and rocketed him to superstardom.</p>

<p>With hit records like<em> ‘Tease Me’,</em> the Fuji-inspired<em> ‘Pakurumo’</em> for which he assembled a star-studded lineup for the music video, the heartwarming <em>‘Gidi Girl’</em>, the youthful anthemic hip hop-infused<em> ‘Don’t Dull’</em>, the positive proclamations on <em>'Oluwa Lo Ni'</em>, and the sweet melodies of<em> ‘Love My Baby’</em>, <strong>Wizkid</strong> created an album defined by the youthful cadences of a 20-year-old. It’s this striking relatability that won him the heart of a generation of listeners and the admiration and respect of an older audience.</p>

<p>For Wizkid, <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/7-things-you-need-to-know-about-wizkids-debut-album-superstar/y2l4p6j">the 17-track superstar <strong><em>‘Superstar’ </em></strong>album</a> would set in motion everything he wanted to become - a superstar. While it’s almost customary for artists to have a gap between their debut and their ascension to superstardom, Wizkid defiled the norm by going from rookie to music star.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It also didn’t take long for the album’s impact to be felt. Shortly after its release in June, the Nigerian music industry saw the monumental arrival of Davido’s<em> ‘Dami Duro’ </em>in October 2011.<a href="https://www.pulse.ng/entertainment/music/watch-davido-admit-that-wizkid-inspired-him-and-a-generation-video/rxkvpp6"> Davido would credit Wizkid’s exploits as one of his major inspirations</a> in chasing a career in music.</p>

<p>Watching a 20-year-old Wizkid dazzle the country with his music and become the true definition of a young superstar inspired a generation of teenagers to aspire to become like him.</p>

<p>Sonically, the Afropop sound of<em> </em><strong><em>‘Superstar’ </em></strong>will shape the talent of a young generation of artists whose style and approach are heavily influenced by Wizkid’s melodies and flows.</p>

Wizkid released his debut album on June 12, 2011

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<p>Since Wizkid released<strong><em> ‘Superstar’</em></strong>, the Nigerian music industry has seen the entrance of young artists with more labels willing to take a chance on teenage talents.</p>

<p>Nigerian music stars including <strong>Omah Lay </strong>and <strong>Rema </strong>are notable talents whose entrance into the mainstream was reminiscent of Wizkid’s 2011 debut album. South African breakout global sensation <strong>Tyla </strong>also<strong> </strong>credited <strong>Wizkid </strong>as one of her major influences.</p>

<p>13 years after its release, a straight line can be drawn from the current Afropop sonic framework to <strong>Wizkid</strong>’s debut album<strong> <em>‘Superstar’</em></strong>.</p>

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How Wizkid’s debut album ‘Superstar’ inspired a generation

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