Wizkid Makes History with 100 Million Shazams
Afrobeats superstar Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, has made history by becoming the first African artist to surpass 100 million Shazams. This remarkable achievement highlights his global influence and the widespread popularity of his music across the world.
Shazam is a music recognition app that identifies songs by listening to short audio clips. When a user taps to “Shazam” a track, the app quickly matches the sound to its vast music database, displaying the song’s title, artist, and other details. Fans widely use it to discover music, and the industry uses it to track song popularity and global reach.
Data from Wizkid’s Shazam profile shows that his songs have accumulated 100 million Shazams across 185 charted tracks, spanning 1,230 cities in 68 countries. Wizkid attained this feat in early November, shortly after he dropped a new three-track collaboration with DJ Tunez and DJ Maphorisa, which includes ‘Money Constant’ and ‘Abangani’. Since its release, ‘Money Constant’ attained a #1 hit on Apple Music’s Top Songs Chart in Nigeria.
Another recent project that preceded Ayodeji’s 100 million Shazams success is his collaboration with artists like Odumodublvck, Asake, and Fola, which included viral TikTok moments of these songs. These collaborations have further expanded his reach and solidified his position as a leading figure in the Afrobeats scene.
Career Highlights
Over a career spanning more than a decade, Ayodeji has steadily grown his global presence. His catalogue includes hits like Grammy-nominated ‘Essence’, global hit with Beyoncé, ‘Brown Skin Girl’ and his guest feature on Drake’s ‘One Dance’, among the most Shazamed songs in Afrobeats history.
Since debuting with Superstar (2011), the Grammy-award winner has released several successful albums, including ‘Ayo’ (2014), ‘Sounds from the Other Side’ (2017), ‘Made in Lagos (2020), and ‘More Love, Less Ego’ (2022). His hit ‘Essence’ featuring Tems became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, earning him global recognition.
Over his career, Ayodeji has won numerous awards, including a Grammy, multiple BET, MOBO, and Headies Awards, and holds several streaming and chart records. Crossing the 100 million Shazam milestone is another metric that cements Ayodeji’s status as a global standard-setter for African music.
Impact and Influence
Wizkid’s achievements are not just about numbers; they represent a shift in the global music landscape. His success has opened doors for other African artists, proving that Afrobeats can compete on an international stage. The widespread appeal of his music, combined with strategic collaborations and innovative projects, has helped him maintain a strong presence in both the local and global markets.
In 2024, Wizkid released ‘Morayo’, which gave him tremendous momentum heading into 2025. The song garnered hundreds of millions of streams and spawned multiple radio hits. This continued success underscores his ability to adapt and evolve while staying true to his roots.
With his latest collaborations and projects, Wizkid continues to push boundaries and set new benchmarks for African music. His journey from a local artist to a global icon serves as an inspiration to many aspiring musicians across the continent and beyond.
Future Prospects
Looking ahead, Wizkid’s future seems bright. His growing fanbase, combined with his consistent output of high-quality music, positions him well for continued success. As the Afrobeats genre continues to gain traction worldwide, artists like Wizkid will play a crucial role in shaping its future.
The 100 million Shazam milestone is just one of many achievements in Wizkid’s illustrious career. It reflects his dedication, talent, and the hard work of his team. As he continues to break barriers and achieve new heights, there is no doubt that Wizkid will remain a dominant force in the music industry for years to come.