Wizkid mourns late mentor, here’s what he said

– Nigerian pop star Wizkid eulogizes late music veteran OJB Jezreel

– The Ojuelegba crooner who is currently on the roll with his music posted a touching message in memory of the late entertainer on Instagram

– It is widely reported that OJB helped introduce, guide as well as shape Wizkid’s music career

Nigerian pop star Wizkid has written an elegy in memory of late music veteran OJB Jezreel who passed on Tuesday, June 14, 2016.

Before now, countless Nigerian entertainers, fans and critics struck by the singer’s death poured out various forms of condolences for the fallen hero but Wizkid was nowhere to be found as he was flying around the world on tour, video shoots and whatnot.

Eventually, the Ojuelegba star has found some time to eulogize the man who is widely regarded as a pioneer of Nigerian music in many levels, as well as an instrumental figure in helping shape the career of several others including Wizkid.

He wrote via Instagram on Wednesday, June 15, 2016:

“Rip legend, mentor and hero.”

Wizkid mourns OJB Jezreel. Credit: Instagram

READ ALSO: Wizkid, Tinie Tempah to drop a collaboration soon?

Wizkid truly owes OJB a lot, even in death.

A few years ago leading to 2015, Wizkid hit international prominence with his sounds and there were questions on who discovered, guided and helped shape the youngster’s career as many had begun laying claims to that.

In some circles, people said EME boss Banky W discovered Wizkid as the latter was formerly signed to the label.

But in an all-revealing statement, the late OJB set the records straight in 2015.

He said:

“To set the records, I discovered Wizkid’s talent. We basically started his career and I remember when we had to push Wizkid around and take him for shows but nobody was ready to allow him to perform because they were not ‘feeling’ him at that point in time. When he had the chance and said he wanted to move on and try other things, we were behind him then too. If we did not discover him, he would not have been with us. I was the first person to go to his family house to tell them that it would be a nice idea if they allowed him to go into music. We have been there from day one but not everybody know this story, we don’t just make noise about it. It is not Banky W that discovered him, I did. I would soon be 50 years old and I think it would be funny if I start blowing my trumpet.”

Wizkid is currently living the life, his music and lifestyle serving as a major influence musically as well in urban and pop culture for millions in Africa and beyond.

On Tuesday, June 14, 2016, the Ojuelegba crooner shared on Instagram photos with Tinie Tempah in Venezuela, and it’s got the fans buzzing yet again.

From all indications, both stars are on to a new collaboration for which a video was shot at the recent location.

Fresh out of the One Hell Of A Night Europe tour wherein he joined Chris Brown from June 5, 2016 to June 11, 2016; the Nigerian singer is sure making power moves with his music.

Reports say the Afro pop star is set to release his Sounds From The Other Side EP which will feature a number of international music stars like Chris Brown, Jidenna and a few other unconfirmed acts.

The game changed for the 25-year-old in 2015 after Skepta brought Drake’s attention to the Nigerian pop star by playing him the song Ojuelegba. This impressed the American rapper who later made a remix to the song in July 2015.

Wizkid and Tinie Tempah on the set of a likely video shoot. Credit: Instagram

By April 2016, the relationship had blossomed into a collaboration on the song One Dance off Drake’s new album Views. One Dance is the 12th track on the new album Views, the fourth studio album from Drake which was released by Cash Money Records, Young Money Entertainment and OVO Sound on Thursday, April 28, 2016.

With that, Wizkid began his journey into gaining foothold in the global music scene and it presents many more opportunities for other pop artistes in Nigeria. On the heels of its unique instrumentation, blend of sounds and commercial success, One Dance climbed steadily up the Billboard Hot 100 chart week in week out.

On Wednesday, May 4 we reported that the track was sitting on the number two spot behind Panda by Desiigner.

By May 10, Wizkid and Drake climbed to the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with One Dance. Wizkid, formerly with EME records under Banky W, has managed to fly high in spite of being ruffled by a number of controversial issues such as baby mama dramas and allegations of song theft, among other things.

READ ALSO: OJB Jezreel, Henrietta Kosoko and the need to immortalize our fallen heroes

Wizkid, formerly with EME records under Banky W, has managed to fly high in spite of being ruffled by a number of controversial issues such as baby mama dramas and allegations of song theft, among other things.

The controversial, multi award-winning pop star and brand ambassador currently runs StarBoy Entertainment and has previously released two studio albums – Superstar and AYO.

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