Wizkid stripped of MTV Africa Music Best African Act Award

Set To Hold Concert In Lagos
No doubt the year 2016 has unarguably been an MVP year for Caro and Ojuelegba crooner, as the Baba nla singer, Wizkid, as he penetrated the international music scene with his music, headlining international shows, winning artiste of the year in major music awards this year including MTV Africa Music Awards, All Africa Music Awards; Best African and Worldwide Act at the MTV Europe Awards among others.

But in what appears to be a twist, the Starboy Record head-honcho, have been stripped of his award as MTV Africa Music Awards Best African Act by the organisers of the award four days after he was conferred with it.

Weekend Beat gathered that following a public outcry, the organisers have officially given the award to Tanzanian music star, Alikiba, who was said to have won the award after the issue was subjected to public vote.

According to investigations, Alikiba was leading and had won the award, but MTVBase Africa declared Wizkid as winner through their social media handle.

Speaking to The Citizen, a Tanzanian base media outfit, Alikiba’s manager, Christine Mosha, said after the announcement on Saturday in Rotterdam, she constantly contacted MTV Africa for explanation.

She said, “I wrote to them immediately questioning questioning why the award had gone to someone else, yet the website indicated that it was Alikiba, who had won the category through the public vote. Alikiba had won the MTV Europe Music Best African Act category, whereas Wizkid had won the MTV Europe Music Best Worldwide Act.”

Alikiba in a reaction took to his Facebook page and wrote: “I’ve just got confirmation that the award is coming back to Tanzania, but I can’t talk much about it. We are still waiting for the official statement and when I will receive it.”

The mix-up became a subject of online discussion and backlash as the singer and his fans demanded an explanation as to what happened.

While it took the administration some time to state what transpired, MTV Europe Music Award admitted that both artistes had won, but in different categories. Organisers of the MTV EMAs have cleared the confusion on the ‘Best African Act’ award.

Without giving concrete reasons, why there was such a mix-up and who was responsible, an MTV spokesperson said: “Both Wizkid and Alikiba are great artistes and deserving winners at the MTV EMAs and we congratulate them wholeheartedly on their achievements.  We apologise for any confusion but we are pleased to recognise the achievements of both these artists on this global platform.”

“Six ‘Worldwide Act’ winners, including Wizkid, were selected by an international committee of MTV music executives to recognise current artistes who are rising to have a wider geographic appeal beyond their local regions. The winners were chosen based on a range of criteria including international MTV video play, radio airplay, streams, and sales across multiple territories and regions. The winner of the ‘Best African Act’ award was selected by fans via votes on MTVEMA.com”

With Alikiba’s win, Tanzania retains the award. He was up against some of Africa’s big stars like Black Coffee Casper Nyovest of South Africa, Wizkid and Olamide from Nigeria.

It is not news that both acts have not been best of friends, but their beef became public knowledge in October this year when America pop star, Chris Brown headlined the Mombasa Rocks concert in Kenya with both as supporting acts.

The two African stars were engaged in a backstage war over who would perform before the other. Alikiba had felt he is bigger than Wizkid in Kenya, hence, he could not understand why he was scheduled to perform before. The argument dragged for a little while and affected the concert by delaying Brown’s appearance, which had to be pushed to past 11pm. Alikiba won the contest but Wizkid performed before him.

Midway into the second song, Kiba’s microphone got disconnected and his performance stopped abruptly. He was brought back on stage to complete his performance after Chris Brown had left the stage, where he said, “I was surprised! I don’t know whether the microphone was disconnected for Chris Brown to be ushered in. I hope my fans understood that it was not my fault.”

Meanwhile, unperturbed by the latest development, Wizkid in a bid to appreciate his fans for being there for and with him, has announced that he will be staging a mega concert in Lagos before the end of the year.

He made the announcement on Thursday, November 10 via his Twitter handle. He acknowledges he has been away from home all year. Therefore, he has decided to give the fans a homecoming concert treat.

“#TeamWizkid homecoming concert in Lagos looking live!! I cut all VIP tickets! No VIP! One price for all! Date in a bit!” he tweeted.

As expected, fans have taken the news with a lot of anticipation and excitement, with suggestions pouring in as to where would be a perfect venue to stage the event, with the New Afrika Shrine being a possible location acknowledged by Wizkid.

With a venue yet to be settle, Wizzy as fondly called, states that he wants to make sure the possible venue will be secure for all.

“I ‘ve been away all year, please let my people enjoy me…Hmmmm…will do one on the Island and Fela shrine for 1k,” he said.

Fans are equally suggesting venues outside Lagos, asking for more than one show, and it looks like that will become a reality. “I got info! Lagos, Abuja, PH and Ghana! My team now working on everything for you all! I promise to make this sweet for you all!”