WIZKID AT MSG
New York City’s Madison Square Garden is a long way from OJB’s Point Beat studio on Gbaja street, Surulere, where Lil Prinz (Now Wizkid) cut his teeth in the early 2000s.
I grew up in Surulere, Lagos, and by 2006, almost every young person in the area was familiar with the artist Lil Prinz. Fast forward to 2008, and I am watching this new artiste, Wizkid, perform “Fast Money Fast Cars” alongside MI at a Telecom concert at Lagos State University, Ojo.
In December 2010, I watched Nigeria’s reigning musical sensation receive the Most Promising Act Award at the Dynamix Awards in Victoria Island, Lagos.
In June 2011, I was one of the official dancers who performed on stage with Wizkid at his Superstar Album Launch at the Expo Hall, VI, Lagos. A generation-defining breakthrough album.
On Wednesday, November 16th, 2022, I watched the greatness of a man from Surulere take on a world stage and dominate it.
Wizkid graced the Madison Square Garden stage, and it was undeniably his. He shone brightly and his Afro-popsy demeanor never faltered on stage.
Every song he performed was full of his distinct brand of charisma and the arena sang faithfully to all his songs. Throughout the night, flashes of bright smiles, trademark dance motions, bobbing rhythmically, and engagement with the crowd were paired with electrifying professionalism.
Over the last decade, Wizkid has been one of Afrobeats’ most consistent acts, and his live shows have evolved into a spectacular culmination of five albums and a bevy of hits. Ripping through thirty of his dynamic hits, greatest songs, and new album cuts with no breaks, the sold-out Madison Square Garden show on Wednesday was a captivating presentation from one of the most popular stars on the planet.
Here is a Run-Down of the Show:
8:00 pm: Dj Skyla Tylaa kicked the show off with a punch of Amapiano for 25 mins.
8:25 pm: Dj Tunez brought the house down with early 2000s Naija Music, D’banj’s Fall in Love to P-Square’s No One Like You, 9ice’s Gongo Aso, Lagbaja’s Konko Below. The infectious vibes of these classics had the arena on its feet. I was immediately transported back to Street Carnivals in Surulere.
9:24 pm: The band members in all-white attires mounted the stage and took their positions.
9:30 pm: With empathic yearning filling the arena, the show began with a sonic voice-over about the concept of being an “Iconoclast,” with the intensity vibrating the arena before Wizkid appeared on stage in a black ensemble. He is joined on stage by a group of singers to perform the monumental “Ojuelegba.”
Brand new and old songs were given more or less the same juice, with this year’s More Love Less Ego album highlighted but never the end story, as Wizkid’s identity has become immersed in hit after hit since his debut in 2011. During the act, Wizkid regularly commanded the Garden to say “Ye Ye” (A line made famous by Abami Eda, Fela), and a significant percentage of the arena’s 20,000 audience members happily obliged.
After a melodious rendition of Frames, which seems to be a fan favorite from the MLLE album, Dj Tunez asked the crowd cheerfully, “where are all my day one Wizkid fans?” and the arena went into a controlled frenzy. Backed by Dj Tunez, a band, video elements, psychedelic projections on the screen, lightning, and an energetic pyrogenic, Wizkid launched into an explosive “Pakurumo,” kicking off a segment full of his greatest hits. There were “Don’t Dull,” “No Le Le,” “Tease Me,” “Show You the Money,” and “Caro.”
The roaring cheers accompanying the song “Azonto” made me think, “Whew, Afro-popsy has a large catalog!” As a show-stopping performance of Essence winds down, Dj Tunez introduces the next song as Africa’s national anthem, which is not far from the truth as the entire arena erupts, singing along with sheer euphoria; “Are you feeling good tonight? This thing got me thanking God for life. I can’t explain.” (Ojuelegba, 2014)
11 pm: The show ends after Wizkid finishes “Ojuelegba.” He thanks the audience and exits the stage. The house lights come up, and it’s over.
Wizkid kicks off his North American Tour in March 2023. I do not know if the set list will change, but the energy and talent will stay.
Here is the setlist:
1. Ojuelegba (Ayo)
2. Fever
3. Ginger (Made in Lagos)
4. Mood (Made in Lagos)
5. Money & Love (Move Love Less Ego)
6. Come Closer (Sounds from the Other Side)
7. Daddy Yo (Sounds from the Other Side)
8. Flower Pads (More Love Less Ego)
9. Call Me Every day (Christ Brown)
10. Frames (More Love Less Ego)
11. Pakurumo (Superstar)
12. Don’t Dull (Superstar)
13. No Le Le (Superstar)
14. Back to the Matter
15. Tease Me (Superstar)
16. Baba Nla
17. Slow Down
18. Show You the Money (Ayo)
19. Caro (Ayo)
20. In My Bed
21. Beatz by Sarz
22. Azonto
23. Soco
24. Bad to Me (More Love Less Ego)
25. Everyday (More Love Less Ego)
26. Blessed (Made in Lagos)
27. Joro
28. True Love (Made in Lagos)
29. 2 Sugar (More Love Less Ego)
30. Essence (Made in Lagos)
31. A medley of Ojuelegba and Slow Down.
JJC Move:
As we poured out of the arena, I saw several vendors selling tour merch (T-shirts) for $10 each. I stopped and contemplated buying one to serve as an “I was at the Wizkid MSG Concert” souvenir. I need something physical to hold onto from this groundbreaking event I just witnessed. But then, a lady walked past me and quietly said, “that doesn’t even look like Wizkid.” And for the first time, I took a closer look at the image on the t-shirt; I was about to pay $10 for fake merch! Thank you to that lady for saving the night!
Glossary
JJC: Johnny Just Come
