Veteran Nigerian musician Eldee The Don has opened up about the pivotal role he played in shaping the early career of Grammy-winning artist Wizkid.

During an appearance on the Adesope Live show, Eldee shared fascinating insights into how he helped Wizkid find his musical direction at a critical stage in his career.

At the time when Wizkid was signed to the popular EME (Empire Mates Entertainment) record label, he was exploring different genres, with a particular focus on Reggae and Dancehall music.

However, Eldee, who was already an influential figure in Nigeria’s music scene, recognized the potential for something uniquely Nigerian to resonate with listeners worldwide.

He recalled advising Wizkid to embrace a more local sound, one that was deeply rooted in Nigerian culture, rather than sticking to the Reggae and Dancehall path.

Eldee explained, “When Wizkid first joined EME, he was leaning heavily towards Reggae and Dancehall.

Banky W had just signed him, but I told him he needed to create a sound that connected with Nigerian audiences.

I encouraged him to blend those genres with local influences to create something fresh and exciting.”

Taking Eldee’s advice to heart, Wizkid pivoted towards Afropop, eventually producing songs that would catapult him to international fame.

One of the first major hits in this new direction was “Don’t Dull,” a track that became an instant success and marked the beginning of Wizkid’s rise in the Nigerian music industry.