He represents more than music, he represents this reality, his success gives hope and pride to Lagosians who are chasing their dreams. For people who grew up in Lagos and understand what the struggle of striving to change your life entails, Wizkid is a King. While we all chant his stellar feature on Runtown’s “Lagos To Kampala” in the clubs, he celebrates how far he’s made it on a path many told him wouldn’t work.
The long and hard road to making it in Lagos, let alone out of it, generally requires extra motivation, which for Wizkid, a talent that comes naturally to him, became the catalyst.
WIZKID IN MY BED REFIX COLMIX FULL
We all understand how slim the chances of an artist making it in music are, especially a full decade ago when Wizkid did. Sometimes, these artists would share a stage with already established headliners such as Durella (who also lived in Adelabu) and Ruggedman, for the energetic occasion. This event provided an opportunity for underground artists to display their talents and perform in front of a decent crowd.
This was a chance to leave the house and hang out with other residents in the area, who we were all close to. When the carnival meetings for the Adelabu area started, I was only 8 years old, but I attended regularly with my older siblings and cousins.
The planning process of the carnival involved regular meetings with the committee to discuss security, renting a stage, reaching out to underground artists, and so on. It was another occasion in the area that brought everyone together to rejoice and celebrate as a community. The yearly carnivals held in Surulere every Christmas had music at the core of its celebration. Beyond a shared interest, music has also been used as a tool by artists who have limited opportunities in other fields to “blow” – a term synonymous in these parts with being very successful. If there is one thing that we can all agree brings Nigerians together, it’s the love of music. While this is just as likely anywhere else in Nigeria, my experience of Surulere placed me in contact with people who, not only wanted a better lifestyle, but had actually experienced some of it just by association. This sort of scenario, where people intertwined facets of their daily lives, created something unique. We socialised with each other often, and it was perfectly normal for a child from an upper-class family to become best friends with a child from a lower-class family, because they lived on the same street and met at a mutual neighbour’s birthday party. Growing up, my family were middle class, but some aspects of my childhood could very easily be associated with someone from the lower class simply because Surulere was so insular and had everything. Surulere is inhabited by people from different social backgrounds who shared a lot of similar experiences. Of course, I knew it was just banter, but there’s a special bond that comes with growing up there, a bond that creates a sense of loyalty no amount of time can’t erase. I remember a period on social media (mainly Twitter) where it was trendy to make fun of that side of town, which usually made me defensive. In the Yoruba language, the phrase ‘Suru l’ere’ translates to ‘Patience is Rewarding’, but people who live in Lagos will be more familiar with it as the name of the residential and commercial area on the city’s mainland, where I grew up. To really appreciate what Wizkid’s journey means to Lagos, one must understand the dynamics of growing up in Surulere, where he was raised and came up from.
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