What does it mean to be a member of the Wizkid FC?
It’s been over a decade since the intriguing Wizkid arrived on the scene and gained ground as an Afrobeats musician, contributor, and superstar.
In the years that he has reigned as one of the big three Afrobeats artists, there’ve only been a few groups that better define stan culture, like Wizkid FC, the cult of hardcore fans and supporters of his work, who for years have gone to hell and back in his defence.
As he rose to the top to become one of the most controversial figures in contemporary Nigerian music, they have been steadily behind him all through the years—when he left the record label that made him famous, EME, when old reckless rape jokes he made as a teenager resurfaced online, when the public bashed his music, when he waged his war against Davido, when he lost his mother.
In anticipation of his latest offering, Morayo, his sixth studio album, in two days, it seems a perfect time to peer into the minds of his fans. I chatted with two members of Wizkid FC, about what it means to be a Wizkid fan, why they love him so, how they have defended him, being misunderstood, and more.
As told to Tomide by Sixtus and Basito.
On how they found Wizkid’s music
Sixtus: I have been down with Wizkid since my teenage years. M.I Abaga’s “Fast Money, Fast Cars” introduced Wizkid to me. I’m a M.I fan, but when that song hook came, I was like, “Who’s bussing like this?” His style had a fresh, young and vibrant aura to it and the lyrics were relatable. I was also drawn to his personality.
Basito: My first memory of Wizkid is tied to songs like “Oluwa Loni,” “Shout Out” and “No Lele.” His music makes me feel energetic, happy and less bored. I get bored easily and quickly, but not when it comes to Wizkid’s music. In a matter of seconds, it can take my mood from 0 to 100. Even now, I still burn with inferno every time Wizkid’s music drops.
I can’t forget the first time I attended his show in 2014. It was Moov Wizkid Live in Concert in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Traffic was everywhere, so I got to the concert when he performed “Ojuelegba,” three minutes before the show ended. On my way back home in the middle of the night, the bus dropped me off at a very dangerous location. I was a bit scared, but my street OT kicked in: I rolled one leg of my jeans up, rolled one sleeve of tees up as well and started walking like a thug, just to blend in the environment and not be picked on by the miscreants there. It was an unforgettable, wild night because I went to see Wizkid live on stage.
On what Wizkid’s music does for them
Sixtus: When I think of his music, it’s a music of comfort. Something you listen to and enjoy at all times, no matter how long time passes by. My love for Wizkid’s music evolved alongside him. As his style changed, I leaned towards it and embraced it. I took it as the directions he wanted to go, the directions that needed to change when the time came.
Basito: I have a personal moment with Made In Lagos. The album dropped at a particular point in my life when I worked 9-5 as a digital marketer, and it was choking the hell out of me. The music was my happiness. Every time I listen to the album, I wish I could go back to the very first time I heard the first track on it and feel that euphoria all over again.
I’m also drawn by his artistic approach to music. He’s inspired a young generation to become artists and be self-confident.
On being a card-carrying Wizkid FC member
Sixtus: Made in Lagos and More Love Less Ego did it for me too. The latter, particularly because it’s what I always listen to when I need to relax or when I get tired of other people’s music.
But it’s more than his music for me. It’s the charisma Wizkid exhibited from the come-up, the growth on the way, the mistakes he made, and how he grew from them. His simplicity in the complexity of being Wizkid, being able to make such amazing music, and be chill about it is exceptional. Even when people misunderstand him, he’s quiet and laid-back.
It’s why we’re always ready to defend, protect and speak positively on our President Wiz. He barely talks, so we do the talking when people want to show him in a negative light. We show them how good he is and why he’s one of the greats.
To be part of Wizkid FC means to be a soldier, a ride-or-die for Wizkid because we know no one would do this for him aside from us. I see us as more of mercenaries doing the groundwork of streaming, showcasing and letting the world know our local hero is a global phenomenon and we are a part of his legacy and community.
Basito: For me, to be a Wizkid FC is to be resilient, hardworking, and never settle for less. He never relies on only his talent. He knows what to say and when to say it. He doesn’t take any bullshit from anyone, and he values family. I relate to how he sees these things and life. Wizkid FC is often misunderstood, but we aren’t troublesome.
On defending Wizkid
Sixtus: People tend to shade Wiz, and he says nothing. The FC stays on guard to ensure that when someone says something that might not be true or makes a negative opinion, we first correct the narrative so as not to let it slide as a shade. We also try to decode whether it’s a shade or a personal opinion. So, we fight first and ask questions later. When you spread lies about Wiz, you don’t expect the FC to look away.
While coming up, Wiz got a lot of hate after the birth of his first kid. People judged him for being too young, being a dropout, leaving EME, being more international and reserved. People projected a lot about what he should be like, not knowing he was a kid growing up in a new terrain.
The only part I won’t absolve him from was when he had an issue with one of his baby mamas and she shared screenshots of their chats. He wasn’t actively involved as he should have been in parenting and to me that was sad to see. But I think he overcame his mistakes and is now trying to do better.
I believe that we can separate the music from the artist. An artist is a human being, the same as all of us. But their craft is an extension of who they are as a person, which means they’re sharing a part of who they are and what they believe in with us. For example, when he was younger, I could relate to him in a way because I lived a fast life at the time, too. I followed his trends in dressing, parties, and women.
Aside from that, he’s never been problematic. The public doesn’t just give him grace. He barely talks, so that’s assumed as pride, or he’s acting like he’s superior to others, whereas he has always been the type to only speak when he has something sensible to say. The FC knows this, so we must have his back because he can’t do it alone. He might be quiet, but we won’t be quiet. We’ll continue to spread the gospel and let people know who he is in a positive light.
For instance, on Monday, when the song displacement happened on Apple Music, I was sure it was a glitch due to the surge of heavy traffic gains. Most people weren’t even sure what had happened; they just jumped to conclusions and spread lies about stream farming. So we had to come all out and not let the stupid narrative hold.
Basito: There’s no way a Wizkid song as hot as “Kese” will leave the number-one spot like that, let alone drop out of the chart completely. Not like I worry whether it’s top-charting or not, but I’m confident his songs will always do numbers and top charts. I still listen to “Lagos Vibes,” which didn’t even get an official release.
Sixtus: I don’t really care about chart numbers, so long as the music is being heard and appreciated. That’s good enough. Take a look at “Essence,” for example: despite not having Rema’s “Calm Down” or Ckay’s “Love Nwantintin,” large numbers, they’re widely appreciated and loved. Anyway, being on top is good for bragging rights.
Basito: I wish he could promote his music more and better, though. His songs can get bigger than they do. Take “Joro,” for instance. The song could have been ten times bigger if it had been promoted well. It was never on any playlist with significant impact; it has only a five-million playlist reach on Spotify.
On Wizkid trolling Davido
Sixtus: I think he can improve more on interacting with his fans. Also, the online trolling of Davido needs to stop. It isn’t something I’m cool with because I expected him to do this during Sounds From the Other Side and Made in Lagos periods when the shades and insults were much because of his style of music. It’s good to set the record straight. I support that, but we should focus on the music now and leave all that.
Basito: When I look at him and what is happening with that Davido, I see someone who has had enough of the disrespect he’s been getting from the others.
Sixtus: The trolling of Davido is fueling the FC and could also be a much-needed ginger in anticipation of the new album. More importantly, I hope Morayo is full of happiness and positive vibes—something worth going back to from time to time.
