Grammy-winning superstar Wizkid has stirred heated reactions online after stating that he had “no blueprint” on his journey to global success — a declaration many believe downplays the influence of his former label boss, Banky W.
The comment, made in his HBO documentary Long Live Lagos, sparked immediate conversation among music lovers and industry observers. Wizkid stated he built his career path independently, saying, “There was no blueprint for me. I had to build a structure for myself.”
Critics argue the remark appears dismissive of the support he received from Banky W and Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), the platform through which he rose to fame. Some social media users described Wizkid’s statement as ungrateful, insisting his early breakthrough would not have happened without the foundation provided by the label.
One user, Franko_Nero, recalled Banky W’s role in introducing Wizkid to the world, calling the singer “ungrateful” for minimizing that influence. Another commenter, Arhcent, echoed the sentiment, saying Wizkid was “erasing the role Banky W and EME played in his career.”
However, others came to the singer’s defense, arguing that Wizkid may have been referring to the originality and uniqueness of his sound rather than the absence of support. Duke of Isoko noted that the singer brought a distinct style that helped shape Afrobeats’ modern sound, while Sir Dickson urged critics to remain calm, interpreting the statement as a reference to creative identity rather than mentorship.
Wizkid did acknowledge the impact of Fela Kuti, describing the Afrobeats pioneer as instrumental to his belief in making music. Still, the debate continues to intensify across social media, with fans divided over whether Wizkid’s “no blueprint” remark reflects confidence, self-definition or disrespect to those who paved the way.
