Nigerian afrobeats sensation Wizkid has achieved a historic milestone, earning the prestigious BRIT Billion Award for surpassing one billion digital streams in the UK.
CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA | NOW THEN DIGITAL — Wizkid, a renowned musician from Nigeria, becomes the first African artist to be bestowed with the BRIT Billion Award, which recognizes those who attain over one billion digital streams in the UK.
The remarkable achievement was celebrated during his recent performance at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Saturday, where he showcased his talent in support of his 2022 album, More Love, Less Ego. In joining the ranks of global superstars ABBA, Coldplay, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Rita Ora, and Sam Smith, Wizkid has etched his name alongside these illustrious artists.
The BRIT Billion Award was launched in May by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), the trade association representing the British recorded music industry.
It acknowledges the significant impact of streaming, which has become the dominant method of music consumption in the UK, accounting for over 85% of recorded music consumption. Remarkably, the UK witnessed a record-breaking 160 billion audio streams last year.
Sophie Jones, the BPI’s chief strategy officer and interim chief executive, expressed the value of the award in an era where success is measured in billions of streams. The BRIT Billion Award is now held in high esteem as an additional way to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievements in recorded music.
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“For a recording artist, there can be few greater sources of pride than having a Platinum or Gold disc on their wall, but in an era when success is measured in the hundreds of millions and indeed billions of streams, it was clear that we needed a new and additional way to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievement in recorded music, and I feel certain that having a BRIT Billion Award will become equally prized,” she said.
Wizkid has achieved multiple platinum and gold certifications in the UK, with his 2016 collaboration “One Dance” with Canadian rap icon Drake reaching six-times platinum status, selling over 3.6 million units.
His songs like “Bad Energy” featuring UK rapper Skepta and the 2020 hit “Essence” with fellow Nigerian singer Tems have also earned platinum certifications.
Additionally, “Come Closer,” another collaboration with Drake, and Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl” have both received gold certifications, along with his fourth studio album, Made In Lagos.
Following his historic three-day residency at the O2 Arena in 2021, where tickets sold out rapidly, Wizkid recently concluded a momentous London stadium show, enchanting the audience with performances from his illustrious catalogue spanning five LPs.
Looking ahead, the talented “Ojuelegba” singer is set to headline the Oya Festival in Oslo, Norway, on 10 August, followed by an exciting lineup of concerts across Europe and North America as part of his More Love Less Ego tour.
From Copenhagen to Paris, Brussels to Dublin, and several cities in the United States and Canada, the tour will continue until February 2025, culminating in a much-anticipated performance in Vancouver, Canada.
It's one billion UK streams for @wizkidayo, who was presented with his BRIT Billion Award while in London for his incredible show at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. 🏆 pic.twitter.com/sqEj7xW2TB
— BRIT Awards (@BRITs) July 31, 2023
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