Grammy-winning artist Wizkid has boldly declared himself the number one Afrobeats artist in the country, wading into an increasingly heated debate about hierarchy in the genre.
The “Essence” hitmaker broke his silence on the contentious “Big 3” conversation with a simple yet provocative Instagram story post that showed a handwritten message on a whiteboard: “Type shit. Big Wiz. Number 1.”
The declaration comes at a time when Nigerian music fans and industry observers have been locked in spirited discussions about the country’s top-tier artists. The so-called “Big 3” — a term that has long encompassed Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy — represents Nigeria’s most successful global musical exports, with each artist achieving unprecedented international recognition and breaking barriers for African music on the world stage.
Wizkid’s statement has predictably divided opinion, with fans across social media platforms taking sides in what has become one of the most polarizing debates in contemporary African music. Supporters of the 34-year-old artist point to his extensive catalog of hits, international collaborations, and his role in bringing Afrobeats to global prominence, particularly through his work with Drake and other Western artists.
However, the conversation extends beyond just the traditional trio. Wizkid’s declaration came approximately a month after fellow Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage publicly questioned the exclusion of rising sensation Tems from the “Big 3” conversation. The “Somebody’s Son” singer raised concerns about the criteria used for such rankings, stating, “I feel like it’s unfair to have a conversation about the Top 3 and not mention Tems.”
Savage’s comments highlighted a growing sentiment within the industry about the need to recognize newer talents who have achieved remarkable global success. Tems, whose distinctive vocals featured on Wizkid’s international hit “Essence” and later on Future’s “Wait For U,” has garnered her own Grammy recognition and worldwide acclaim.
As the debate continues to rage online, industry analysts note that such conversations, while divisive, underscore the extraordinary growth and global competitiveness of Nigerian music. What remains clear is that the country’s music scene has evolved beyond simple hierarchies, with multiple artists achieving unprecedented levels of international success.
Neither Davido nor Burna Boy has publicly responded to Wizkid’s latest declaration at the time of this report. However, if history is any indication, this newest chapter in Nigeria’s ongoing music supremacy debate is far from over.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
Wizkid has reignited Nigeria’s heated “Big 3” debate by declaring himself the country’s number one Afrobeats artist via Instagram. The key takeaway is that this controversy reflects the explosive growth and global success of Nigerian music, where multiple artists — including Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and rising stars like Tems — have achieved unprecedented international recognition.
What was once a clear hierarchy is now a fiercely contested conversation, signaling that Nigerian Afrobeats has evolved beyond simple rankings into a diverse, globally competitive industry with room for multiple superstars at the top.
