By Rita Okoye
Last year, a Nigerian artist named Wizpec stepped onto the stage of Echoo room Live session, delivering a setlist pulled from his earlier work, Good Things Take Time.
For him, 2023 was already a whirlwind of success, and this performance felt like a crowning moment. Fresh off announcing his very first tour, he teased fans with Visualizer, a slick snippet featuring Asake that hinted at a possible new album on the horizon. It was a bold move for an artist steadily carving his name into the global music scene.
Defining Wizpec’s Sound
Hailing from Lagos, Wizpec stands at a vibrant crossroads where soul, Afrobeat, and Afro-fusion collide. His music pulses with infectious grooves and a smooth, R&B-tinged voice that weaves tales of love and life’s ups and downs. You might catch echoes of another Nigerian talent, LLona, in his laid-back, melodic flow and that subtle Midwestern twang. But Wizpec’s breakout moment came with “Sings,” a collab with Kaduna’s own Boy Blizz—a track that’s all swagger and spacey vibes, poking fun at the pricey tastes of the women they can’t resist.
The Meaning Behind “Sings”
That song, “Sings,” isn’t just a catchy tune—it’s a signpost for where Wizpec’s headed. He’s pushing his sound into new territory, stretching his creative wings. More than that, it’s a heartfelt nod to his family, a promise for their future, and a project he poured himself into. As the lead single off his debut album, it’s like the opening chapter of his story, setting the tone for everything he’s about to share with the world.
A Deep Dive Into the Album
Spanning 22 tracks, Wizpec’s debut is a journey through love—both the romantic kind and the ties that bind a family—while wrestling with personal growth. “I wanted to dig in, see what kind of universe me and my crew could create,” he explains. “We’re building on what we’ve done before, finding new ways to tell these stories.” The album’s full of love songs, layered with voices of people he’s speaking to, as he tries to break free from old, tangled patterns in relationships.
Roots and Early Days
Born Okoro Opeoluwa Michael, Wizpec grew up as a 28-year-old dreamer in his neighborhood, singing and dancing his way through school and streets alike. As a teen, he found his footing in musical theater and started training at a local studio, soaking up skills in singing and hip-hop. High school saw him sharpening his craft—grabbing low-key gigs and even teaching a few classes on the side, all while chasing that spark he felt every time he performed.
From Backup to Spotlight
At 18, Wizpec took a leap, where his 20s kicked off with stints as a backup singer for big names like Sound Sultan. Touring with artists fueled his fire, but it was Sound Sultan who nudged him back toward his own voice. Around that time, he linked up with a dancer-turned-artist who got him freestyling and dreaming up original tracks. By 2020, he’d dropped his first EP, Afrocentric, a bold step that set the stage for countless songs and a 2021 deal with Antisocial Records.
What’s Next for Wizpec
Now, with his star rising, Wizpec’s gearing up for a solo headlining tour across the UK—a chance to bring his sound straight to the fans. From those early days harmonizing in Lagos to commanding stages worldwide, he’s become a voice that’s hard to ignore. With a debut album that’s both a personal confession and a musical evolution, Wizpec’s not just here to stay—he’s here to shake things up.