How Wale Played a Quiet Role in Wizkid’s Early Global Breakthrough

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Nigerian-American rapper Wale has opened up about the behind-the-scenes support he offered Afrobeats superstar Wizkid long before the singer became a global name. During a recent livestream conversation with comedian Carter Efe, the rapper reflected on his long-standing connection to Nigerian music and revealed how he helped expose Wizkid to international opportunities at an early stage of his career.

Wale explained that his interest in Nigerian sounds predates the global explosion of Afrobeats, noting that he has always enjoyed exploring music from the country, even when many of its artists were still largely unknown outside Africa.

“I have been following Nigerian music, there are so many Nigerian artists that I like listening to. I don’t know some of them but I like listening to their music,” he said.

According to the rapper, this curiosity and appreciation naturally led him to form relationships with several Nigerian musicians, including Wizkid. He disclosed that his friendship with the Starboy boss dates back nearly a decade, long before Wizkid became a household name on the world stage.

“There are some I know personally like Wizkid. Me and Wizkid have been cool for almost 10 years now. I remember taking him to his first BET Awards show,” Wale revealed.

The rapper’s statement has sparked renewed interest in the early connections that helped shape Wizkid’s international journey. At the time, the BET Awards were one of the most visible global platforms for Black music, and attending the event exposed emerging African artists to influential industry figures, media attention, and global audiences.

Wale went further to share personal details about their working relationship, revealing that Wizkid once stayed with him in the United States during a period of intense creative collaboration. According to him, the singer lived at his Beverly Hills residence for an extended period while they worked on music together.

“That is my boy. I once accommodated him at Beverly Hills for a whole summer. We were just writing music. We made a lot of songs together like ‘Drop for me’,” he said.

The track “Drop For Me,” which featured on Wizkid’s early projects, later became one of the songs that helped introduce him to listeners outside Nigeria. Their collaboration symbolised an early bridge between Afrobeats and mainstream hip-hop, at a time when such cross-continental partnerships were still rare.

Wale’s comments highlight the importance of mentorship, access, and collaboration in the global music ecosystem. While Wizkid’s talent and consistency have been central to his success, early exposure to international networks played a crucial role in shaping his career trajectory.

Today, Wizkid stands as one of Africa’s most influential musical exports, with multiple international awards, chart-topping projects, and historic performances across the world. His rise has also helped open doors for other African artists seeking global recognition.

Fans reacting online have praised Wale for acknowledging his role in Wizkid’s early journey, describing the revelation as a reminder of how relationships behind the scenes can shape music history. Others noted that such collaborations helped lay the foundation for Afrobeats’ crossover into mainstream global culture.

While both artists have since gone on to carve out distinct paths, their early partnership remains a notable chapter in the story of Afrobeats’ global expansion. Wale’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into a formative period when African music was still fighting for visibility beyond the continent — and how quiet support from industry insiders helped push it forward.

Watch him speak below…

“Me and Wizkid have been together for over 10 years now. I remember taking him to his first BET award show. Wizkid is my boy. Phyno and Olamide are my guys too.”

— Wale on Carter Efe livestream. pic.twitter.com/3XjlHAeiFN

— 𝐀𝐬𝐚𝐤𝐲𝐆𝐑𝐍 (@AsakyGRN) December 26, 2025

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