Afrobeats superstar Wizkid has ignited a massive social media storm following controversial statements made in his upcoming HBO documentary. The singer, whose real name is Ayo Balogun, released a snippet from Long Live Lagos on Monday, November 25, 2025, triggering heated debates across Nigerian social media platforms.
The Controversial Claim That Started It All
In the now-viral documentary clip, Wizkid made a bold declaration about his career journey that immediately caught fans' attention. "There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself," the Star Boy asserted during the interview segment.
While Wizkid acknowledged the influence of late Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, stating "Fela Kuti was instrumental to why I believe I could really make music," his comments about having no blueprint sparked immediate backlash from music enthusiasts and industry observers.
Social Media Erupts Over Banky W Omission
The controversy centers around what many perceive as Wizkid downplaying the crucial role played by his former label boss, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W. Netizens quickly flooded social media platforms with reactions defending the E.M.E. founder's contributions to Wizkid's early career.
One user, arhcent, expressed strong disapproval: "This guy is erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career. Person way Banky dey pick from school enter studio is saying 'I had to build a structure for myself'. God sees all."
Another comment from truthsavves1 added: "Wizkid is an ungrateful brat. History will always remember Banky W for opening doors for Wizkid. If not for Banky, Wizkid would still be in ojuelegba going from studio to studio."
Historical Context: The E.M.E. Years
Wizkid's professional music career began when he signed with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.), the music label co-owned by Banky W, in 2009. During his tenure with the label, Wizkid released two critically acclaimed albums: Super Star in 2011 and Ayo in 2014 before departing in 2013.
The relationship between Wizkid and Banky W has been a subject of discussion in the Nigerian music industry for years. Recent revelations from lawyer Oluwayemisi Faleye added fuel to the ongoing discourse, as she disclosed that Banky W and other E.M.E. executives still earn 80% of Wizkid's first two albums to this day.
While some defenders like Wizarab10 argued that Wizkid's comments were taken out of context, suggesting "I believe he was speaking about his style of music. He reinvented himself," the overwhelming response criticized the singer for what many see as rewriting history.
The documentary snippet has clearly struck a nerve within the Nigerian music community, raising questions about artist acknowledgment, industry relationships, and how successful musicians choose to narrate their origin stories. As the debate continues to trend, all eyes are on the full documentary release scheduled for December 11, 2025, where viewers hope to gain more context about Wizkid's controversial statements.
