Ayodeji Balogun, better known by his stage name Wizkid, is the first Nigerian musician to receive a diamond certification for a single from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the United States.
Wizkid received this honor for his contribution to Drake’s song “One Dance,” which also features Nigerian superstar and British vocalist Kyla. On April 5, 2016, the song was released.
Since the release of the global smash song, Wizkid, Nigeria’s Sarz, South Africa’s DJ Maphorisa, Canada’s Ninteen85, and 40 have received acceptance and acclaim from various nations.
On December 8, 2022, six years after the song’s international debut, “One Dance” received the Diamond certification, having sold over ten million copies in the United States alone.
According to Pitchfork, “One Dance” is about a mystical connection that two people may have in a club when the energy is high and they lose themselves. While Drake’s vocals float, Wizkid’s reverberating chirps blend into the groove. A sequence of tones and polyrhythms collide as Kyla’s croons give way to Drake’s once more in the final seconds. It appears to be a reflection of the vibrant multiculturalism on display.
The song has also received Diamond certification in France and Canada. It has received Platinum Certification six times in the United Kingdom, where it has sold more than 3.6 million units.
#WizKid makes history becoming the 1st Nigerian Artist with a Diamond certified record in the US!💪🦅🥇🇳🇬💎🎶🏆🇺🇸🐐👑💚🤍 pic.twitter.com/6XxoJO7DPC
— World Music Awards (@WORLDMUSICAWARD) December 9, 2022