In recent times, there have been speculations that Nigerian pop star Tiwa Savage may have signed to the American entertainment company owned by foremost rap star Shawn ‘Jay Z’ Carter. The news first broke in May 2016.
Sources in the know say Jay Z, impressed by Tiwa’s catalogue and buzzing mainstream influence in Africa, ensured the deal pulled through.
Following this, critics hold that the Eminado singer stands a better chance to fully break into international markets given the management support and wherewithal the new deal should bring forth.
Wizkid in the studio. Credit: Instagram
All of this is great but it could have been Wizkid signing to Roc Nation first, Wale said in a recent interview with American radio station Hot 97 FM.
The Matrimony rapper held that he’d initially sold the idea of signing the Ojuelegba crooner to Roc Nation but the suggestion fell on deaf ears. He also touched on the success stories of Davido and Olamide.
He said: “I’m proud of Davido and Wizkid, and Olamide.
“There’s a lot of dope artistes coming out of there. I know it was going to get there, because [they’ve] got like a whole 60% of the swag in Africa come from Nigeria, and I have always known Wizkid.
Nigerian pop star Davido
“I got one [song] with Wizkid with Diplo, I’ve got like seven songs with Wizkid on the internet. But again, it was before this. Like again, If I had held on to him and put him on, it would have been a different story.”
Recall that in May 2016, Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake on One Dance sent them both to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Wizkid and Drake make history as they hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 with the song One Dance