Wizkid has become a global music icon, showing the way for Afrobeats to cross borders and enthral listeners everywhere. Not only did his 2020 mega song “Essence,” which included Tems and was later enhanced by a remix with Justin Bieber, catapult him to international recognition, but it also recently received a Gold certification in France.
The process of earning a gold certification is laborious and includes a thorough assessment of an album’s commercial viability. This prestigious award is given to an album in France when sales reach 50,000 copies. ‘Essence’ by Wizkid not only reached but surpassed this mark, securing its position as one of the most renowned African songs worldwide.
The song “Essence” had received over 15 million streams in France, according to a post made on the official Instagram page of SNEP, the French certifying body. This noteworthy accomplishment solidifies the song’s place as a global anthem by adding another certification to its already outstanding list of international laurels.
“Essence” has emerged as a success story, gaining numerous international certifications that attest to its appeal to viewers worldwide. ‘Made in Lagos,’ the fourth album by Grammy-nominated Wizkid, featured a track that soon went viral beyond geography, experiencing enormous commercial success that echoed through charts and radio.
The song was taken to new heights by Justin Bieber’s remix, a collaboration that struck a chord with fans of Afrobeats as well as a wider international audience.
The song’s widespread appeal was demonstrated by its rise to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 16 on the UK Official Singles chart. In addition, “Essence” became platinum in the US, UK, Switzerland, Canada, and South Africa, demonstrating its unquestionable influence on the global music landscape.
‘Essence’ has received recognition for more than just its monetary success. The song was nominated for a prestigious Grammy Award in 2021 in the Best Global Music Performance category. Numerous honours, including the 2021 Soul Train Award for Song of the Year and the 2021 BET Award for Best Collaboration.
In addition to being a victory for Wizkid, “Essence’s” popularity is evidence of the genre’s development and Afrobeats’ rise to international recognition. Wizkid, widely known as Nigeria’s Starboy, has not only reached personal goals but has also created opportunities for other Afrobeats musicians hoping to gain exposure abroad.
More than just certifications and streaming figures, “Essence” is a story about cross-cultural dialogue and the ability of music to build relationships. Wizkid’s hit song, which is still playing everywhere, is a prime example of how music can cut over language barriers and unite people in a peaceful celebration of melody and rhythm.
Following “Essence’s” Gold certification in France, Wizkid is regarded as a pathfinder who has helped a new wave of African musicians forge international careers. Not only a song, “Essence” is a golden symphony that touches people’s emotions all around the world and leaves a lasting impression on the ever-expanding canvas of global music.
Wizkid’s efforts to the Nigerian music business have garnered him various accomplishments, including the Grammy Award for Best Music Video as a lead artist on Beyoncé’s “Brown Skin Girl”; his first ever Grammy Award. He is the African musician with the most awards at the American Music Awards.
In addition, he was given an ASCAP plaque in recognition of his composition contributions to Drake’s “One Dance” , which set two Guinness World Records in addition to becoming the first song to achieve one billion Spotify plays and the most streamed song at the time.Wizkid was listed as one of the Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019.
Additionally, in the history of The Headies awards, he is the most honoured artist. In the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, he received nominations for “Essence” and the Made in Lagos Deluxe Edition albums, respectively, for Best Global Music Performance and Best Global Music Album. His award for Artist of the Year (Africa) at the 2021 Apple Music Awards was revealed in November 2021.
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