Wizkid Speaks from the Heart at Tribeca: “Africa Deserves Better”
Ayodeji Balogun — the world knows him as Wizkid — didn’t just show up at the Tribeca Film Festival with a film. He showed up with purpose.
At the New York premiere of his new documentary “Wizkid: Long Live Lagos”, the music superstar spoke less about fame and more about hope — the kind that sees Africa rise, not just in sound but in spirit.
“I’m not the only one with a story,” he said during a heartfelt Q&A session. “We all came from that grind. Everyone deserves a moment like this — to share where they’re from, what they’ve lived, and how far they’ve come.”
Wizkid’s message wasn’t just about music. It was about a bigger dream — one that reaches beyond the stage.
“I want to see real progress back home,” he said. “Better leaders. Better systems. More opportunity. Not just in Nigeria, but across the whole continent. I’m someone who believes in good energy. I want everyone doing great art in Africa to win — music, sports, film — all of it.”
“Long Live Lagos” isn’t just a documentary. It’s a personal journey — a raw, unfiltered lens into Wizkid’s rise from Surulere’s street corners to international fame. As Tribeca described it, the film reflects how global creativity can reclaim stories and restore identity — not just for individuals, but for nations.
Walking the red carpet wasn’t just a solo moment either. With him were his partner, Jada Pollock, and their youngest daughter, who made her first public appearance that night. The family stepped out in all-white outfits — radiant and united. At one point, Wizkid paused to introduce his little girl to attendees, holding her gently in his arms.
The Starboy icon and Jada already share a son, Zion, born in 2017. Their second child joined the family in 2022 — and judging by the glow that night, their circle of joy just keeps growing.
For Wizkid, it was more than a film premiere. It was a celebration of roots, resilience, and a reminder that every dreamer from Africa has a story worth telling.
