Veteran Nigerian artist Eldee The Don has disclosed a game-changing moment in music history, revealing how his strategic advice helped steer Wizkid away from reggae and dancehall toward the afrobeats sound that would eventually make him a global superstar. Speaking on the Adesope Live show, Eldee shared details of his influential conversation with a young Wizkid during the artist’s early days at EME Records.
The revelation provides fascinating insight into what could have been a dramatically different trajectory for one of Africa’s most successful musical exports. According to Eldee, when Banky W first signed Wizkid to Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), the young artist was primarily focused on creating reggae and dancehall music, a path that might have significantly altered his eventual impact on global music.
Eldee’s guidance proved pivotal as he encouraged Wizkid to incorporate more Nigerian elements into his sound, effectively pushing him toward what would become his signature style. This advice led to the creation of breakthrough tracks like “Don’t Dull,” which helped establish Wizkid’s presence in the Nigerian music scene and laid the groundwork for his future international success.
The timing of Eldee’s revelation is particularly significant as it comes when afrobeats has achieved unprecedented global recognition, with Wizkid standing as one of its most successful ambassadors. The genre’s journey from Nigerian clubs to international charts and Grammy recognition makes this historical insight especially valuable for understanding its evolution.
This disclosure adds an important chapter to the history of Nigerian popular music, highlighting the behind-the-scenes influences that helped shape one of Africa’s most successful musical exports. Eldee’s role in encouraging Wizkid to embrace a more Nigerian-influenced sound represents a crucial moment in the development of modern afrobeats.
The veteran artist’s account sheds light on the important mentorship dynamics within the Nigerian music industry, where established artists often play crucial roles in guiding emerging talents. His advice to Wizkid about finding a “middle ground” and incorporating Nigerian flavors into his music demonstrates the kind of industry wisdom that has helped shape many successful careers.
Eldee’s influence on Wizkid’s early career choices reflects a broader pattern in the development of contemporary African music, where artists have had to balance international influences with local musical traditions. This fusion has become a defining characteristic of modern afrobeats, contributing to its global appeal while maintaining its African identity.
The story also provides context for understanding Wizkid’s evolution as an artist, from his early experimentation with different genres to his emergence as a defining voice in afrobeats. His willingness to pivot from reggae and dancehall to a more Nigerian-influenced sound, based on Eldee’s advice, demonstrates the kind of adaptability that would later serve him well in his international career.
Industry observers note that this revelation offers valuable insights into the formative years of what would become one of Africa’s most successful musical exports. Wizkid’s journey from those early days to his current status as a global superstar highlights the importance of mentorship and strategic direction in artist development.
The impact of Eldee’s advice extends beyond Wizkid’s individual success story, as it contributed to the broader development of the afrobeats genre. The sound that emerged from this guidance has influenced countless other artists and helped establish Nigeria as a major force in global popular music.
As afrobeats continues to gain international recognition and influence, stories like this help document the genre’s evolution and the key decisions that shaped its development. Eldee’s role in guiding Wizkid toward a more Nigerian-influenced sound represents a crucial moment in the genre’s history, one that has had lasting implications for African music’s global impact.
