Wizkid: Is singer really making money from his international collaborations?

Wizkid is working closely with a galaxy of stars, but are these collaborations translating into financial success?
 

This year Wizkid has been an absolute beast of a singer. He is the best Nigeria has to offer, with his growing influence spreading far and wide. Stories about his exploits in different continents continue to regal fans all over the world, with photos of studio sessions, in exotic lands, being a norm these days.

Truly, it is hard to skim through Wizkid’s Instagram page without being overloaded with stars from various countries, including musicians, industry specialists, producers and many more. There are also photos of him meeting with Jesse Jackson, the American civil rights activist, Baptist minister, and politician, who was a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1984 and 1988 and served as a shadow U.S. Senator for the District of Columbia from 1991 to 1997.

play Wizkid & Jesse Jackson
(NetNG)

But all of these aside, it is the international collaborations that has propelled the singer’s stock, to rise above his earlier station in the US market. Wizkid has a long list of collaborations which read out like an All-star list. Check out some names below.

Swizz Beatz, French Montana, TY Dolla Sign, Tinie Tempah, Angelique Kidjo, Nico & Vinz, Drake, Wale, Oskido, DJ Maphorisa, Chris Brown, Diplo, Mi Casa, Efya, Trey Songz, Mr Eazi, R2bees, and more.

But are these collaborations translating into financial success?

Of all of these collaborations, ‘One Dance’, his work with Drake and Kyla, still remain his highest-achieving release. The song rose up to the top spot at the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Last month, the collaborators achieved a notable feat by having the longest-running UK number one single since legal music downloads began counting towards chart positions. On the financial angle, if he gets his deal right with the powers behind Drake, then he will be sure to get big paychecks for a long time to come. He was also a featured guest on Tinie Tempah’s Caribbean jam, ‘Mamacita’, where the cash will have to flow in too.

play Wizkid and Chris Brown
(Instagram)

It is his latest release, ‘Shabba’, featuring the star trio of Chris Brown, Trey Songz, and French Montana, that has brought spotlight into the economics of his conquest. ‘Shabba’, the original version, just recently made its way to iTunes, a few days after the release. The song was released in Nigeria, as well as over a dozen other markets, with all the paperwork done right. Royalties from the performances of the US trio would have been sorted out. Trey Songz is signed to Atlantic Records, Chris Brown is from RCA Records, the same company that offered Nigerian singer, Ayo Jay, a deal. French Montana is tied to Maybach Music Group. All of these houses, will get a percentage from the sales of the single.

play Wizkid, Tinie Tempah, Ugo Mozie for music video shoot
(Instagram )

On the international front, Wizkid is managed by Disturbing London, a firm headed by Tinie Tempah. As a professional house, it takes charge of Wizkid’s exploits in the scene, monetizing at every turn, with the aim to make profit.

This is an integral part of the Wizkid brand. At every point of growth, he has found handlers to run his business, and tie up all the financial ends for him. His international collaborations and the money accrued from such ventures are just a little part of his money-spinning wheel.