How Wizkid Almost Quit Music

In the midst of global applause and record-breaking milestones, a deeply personal struggle almost brought Wizkid’s journey to an abrupt halt.

The new HBO documentary Long Live Lagos, now streaming on Max, pulls back the curtain on the unseen emotional battles surrounding the Afrobeats star’s historic stadium moment.

The film chronicles the build-up to Wizkid’s groundbreaking London concert, where he became the first Afrobeats artist to headline and sell out a major stadium.

But away from the bright lights and roaring crowds, the pressure was overwhelming. According to the documentary, Wizkid came dangerously close to walking away from music altogether.

At the heart of the revelation is Jada Pollock, Wizkid’s long-time manager and partner, who opens up about the weight the superstar was carrying behind the scenes.

In candid interviews, Jada shares how a sudden family health crisis shook Wizkid at the peak of preparations for the show, leaving him emotionally drained and questioning whether he could continue.

Jada, who has worked with Wizkid for over eight years and shares two children with him, explains that the situation forced him into deep reflection.

The concert, held on July 29, 2023, was planned at a time when his mother urgently needed cancer treatment, a development that changed everything.

The uncertainty was so intense that even members of the production team believed the event would be called off.

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Media personality Julie Adenuga recalls in the documentary that organizers were bracing for bad news, convinced the concert would be cancelled altogether as word of Wizkid’s family situation spread backstage.

Despite the emotional toll, Jada says Wizkid began to see the moment as bigger than himself.

She reveals that he recognized the impact the show could have on the next generation of African artists, music executives, and young dreamers back home who look to his journey as proof that global success is possible.

That sense of responsibility ultimately pushed Wizkid to go on with the performance, delivering a powerful and emotional set that would later be etched into music history.

Just weeks after the concert, tragedy struck when his mother passed away on August 18, 2023, making the achievement even more bittersweet.

The London show marked a defining moment in Afrobeats history, with Wizkid selling out the 60,000-capacity Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as part of his More Love, Less Ego tour.

Fans were treated to a carefully curated performance that blended early fan favourites with his global chart-toppers, showcasing the full evolution of his sound.

In quieter moments of the documentary, Wizkid also reflects on his working relationship with Jada, praising her dedication, loyalty and passion.

He credits her calm strength and nurturing approach as a key factor in holding everything together during one of the most difficult periods of his life.

Long Live Lagos ultimately presents more than a concert film. It is a story of resilience, partnership and purpose, capturing how Afrobeats’ biggest star found the strength to keep going, even when walking away seemed like the easier option.