Irene TTYA

UK-based fashion designer and founder of TTYA London, Irene Agbontaen, has described Nigerian music superstar, Wizkid as the Michael Jackson of Africa. She stated this during an interview on I Said What I Said podcast while recounting her first time experience with Wizkid. The stylist said that he had just finished performing with British rapper, Skepta at an event which was organised by a friend in Lagos. According to Irene TTYA, they were about to leave when Wizkid informed them that he has a suite at the Eko hotel and they should stay with him. She said that they agreed and did New Year's celebration at his place after which he took them out which was when she first saw the Wiz effect in real life. Irene said that as a result of what she witnessed, whenever she is in meetings and at corporate events, she explains to people that they would not understand Wizkid is the Michael Jackson of Africa until they see him in Lagos. Watch her speak below: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpiYNcmM5nC/?hlen Similarly, On Air Personality, Daddy Freeze has said Big Wiz is almost on the same level with late Afrobeats legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The media personality stated this in a video shared on his social media page while wading into the feud between Wizkid and rappers in the industry. It may be recalled that during an interview with 10 magazine the “Essence” crooner said rap is dead while arguing in favour of Afrobeats dominating the Hip Hop genre. According to the Starboy Entertainment founder, the Hip Hop artistes mostly rap on the same beats, and they have similar styles. Wiz also said Nigerian rappers as non-rappers who lack development and went on to list the South Africa’s Nasty C and Ghana’s Sarkodie as the ‘real rappers’ in Africa. Subsequently, Wizkid received backlash mostly from Nigerian rap artistes who either responded to him online or released diss raps. In reaction to the clash, Freeze opined that for Wizkid to have made that comment, it comes from a place of objectivity soaked in experience. He said the Ojuelegba crooner has achieved a lot and should be taken seriously whenever he gives constructive criticisms. The OAP who aid he is backing Big Wiz further said only a handful of artistes in Nigeria can boast of the achievements attached to Wizkid’s name in the music industry. Daddy Freeze said; “When it comes to music in Nigeria as a whole, Wizkid is almost on the level of Fela then. What he (Wizkid) has been able to do, not many people can achieve it, when he says something, hear him out, there is one thing in me that makes me different from many people I might not like you but if you speak the truth I will support you. The truth is the truth and it will set you free. When you see the truth and started ignoring the truth because of the person carrying the truth we become like Nigerian politicians, all of them are the same but they will make one look worse than the rest of them.”

Video: Wizkid is the Michael Jackson of Africa – Irene TTYA