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If you were wondering where Nigerian Afropop artist Kizz Daniel has been hiding ever since his 2023 hit song “Buga (Lo Lo Lo),” then look no further. This is because the cool uncle is finally back leading to a world tour and he has an important message to share with his day one supporters. After he topped the UK Official Afrobeats Chart with “Twe Twe”, he sold out the Wembley Arena, and his “TZA” EP was one of the most streamed afrobeats projects of 2024 amassing over half a billion streams. A notable two-song EP Marhaba x We Must bringing us the Mediterranean ocean waves recently, Kizz has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. The world is Kizz’ and his next album is here to serve as a reminder.
On a Tuesday evening, we sat down with the starboy via. Video call to discuss his past triumphs, the upcoming project still kept secret and inner battles Kizz’ has been fighting behind closed doors, sharing an exclusive insight into his life.
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First and foremost, thank you Kizz Daniel for joining Deeds on this special occasion. Would you like to introduce yourself to our audience?
My name is Kizz Daniel and I’m an Afropop artist from Africa.
Tell us a little about your upbringing; how did you end up in the music bizz?
My journey began from Ogun State, which is a neighbouring state to Lagos. I started as a member of a band. We had a pretty good run but unfortunately, things didn’t work out between us and everyone went their separate ways. So I decided to move to Lagos in pursuit of my own career. I’m so happy that I met one of the most hard working CEOs ever! So yes, G-Worldwide was (then) born. That’s how the whole journey started and we‘ve been dropping hits after hits… This is our 12th year in the music game and we’re still going strong.
Absolutely! And stronger than ever, I must say. An interesting shift in your career, that also aligns with the title of your upcoming fifth studio album, is your “Buga” song. I believe at the time, you were one of the most streamed artists in Africa. This was also the beginning of collaborations with some of the new gen in Afrobeats. How pivotal was this moment to you?
It’s just for the love of music. Sometimes because you sabi chop rice, no means say you go dey chop rice everyday. Sometimes you need to try other food. I enjoy working with every one of them. I haven’t worked with a lot of them though…
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Yes! That was going to be my following question. You have BNXN, Seyi Vibez and Blaqbonez recently…
Is Blaqbonez a new gen?
Yeah, I would say so.
Okay, I think I worked with quite a lot of them [laugh]. Listen, I love making music, that’s what I do. At every opportunity that I have to make music with people, I just take it. I had my own studio experience running for over 3 years or two. Different artists come to my studio to make music and record tracks. I think it was around that time I made those songs with these beautiful talents. Whether it was made in my studio, I enjoyed having them around and making music with them. Recently, I added sessions with Blaq and we made incredible music. I can’t wait for you guys to hear it, it’s so beautiful.
When I make music, I am not making music for a selfish reason. I make music because I enjoy making music. Not necessarily what I want to get from it. I don’t mind who you are, your status nor how big you are, as long as I can connect to your music, as long as you sing and it touches my soul with your voice, it doesn’t have to be angelic, as long as you can just touch something within me, then I’m sold. When I share that space with someone who is like-minded, it just makes that space even more beautiful.
Just looking at the landscape of let’s say Afro-music altogether; what is your opinion on the new emerging artists such as Rema or Asake, with such an experimental and distinctive voice who want to push Afrobeats further? Is it something you would encourage?
Asake and Rema, just to mention a few, because we have the likes of Ayra Starr, Tems, Tems, Tyla from South Africa, and the rest are all doing great things. Everyone is taking the culture to greater lengths and making their people proud, they’re doing what is expected, do you understand? And then, they are doing way more than expected (from them). They are going beyond expectations. I’m not surprised with what is happening right now because when I came into the scene, there weren't a lot of opportunities. The energy- it feels like we are all connected to each other. We’re communicating to one another because everybody keeps chasing the same thing; everyone wants Afrobeats to be bigger than what it is. Everyone wants to put Afrobeats on the map in different areas and parts of the world.
The other day, I saw Rema put up a tour and perform in arenas in Japan. I have never seen this before from any Afrobeats artist! That’s like the first time. So that is pushing boundaries if that was the question asked. I don’t have any reasons to be sad, I am more than happy to be witnessing this right now. What Tems is doing in the western world with her music… She is a Yoruba girl from Nigeria, she’s our sister! Do you know how beautiful it is that you just have a lot to say about some major superstars and icons around the world? So yeah, I am beyond happy and I like the fact that everyone is thinking the same thing. It just feels like the goal is one.
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We love to see your enthusiasm. This would bring us to the upcoming album because you chose the title “Uncle K.” Uncle is a very peculiar member of a family. So before we dive into the content of the album, what does “Uncle K” mean to you?
I chose the term uncle for obvious reasons. The K stands for Kizz and the uncle is just to show I’ve been around for a while. But then, you know those cool uncles during thanksgiving? That keeps it jiggy, young and fresh? Yeah, that’s the type of uncle I’m talking about. Not the fat belly uncle. Successful, tall, muscular uncle. That’s the vibe.
The uncle is just a new form of branding that I’m trying to back on because I’m ready to put certain things behind me. If you check my page, the certain styles I’m trying to put ahead are more traditional wears and suits. There’s nothing wrong with what everyone else is doing, they are all beautiful the way they are. I just want to establish a new brand through my music and this album. It’s like, you know what? Put some respect on my name Kizz. I’ve done this over and over again. It’s not easy; 12 years and still going.
That’s what I stand for. And also, when my dad was alive. His siblings used to call him uncle K. So I kind of stole it from there.
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That’s very interesting. Sounds like a new chapter, so to speak. Speaking of evolution: where has your mind been since the last record and how did it come to the completion of this body of work?
Whenever I’m working on a project, I don’t necessarily have a thing, I just make music. Funny thing is I’m always in the studio and always recording. The only difference this time around is the fact that I’m trying to show growth and maturity in my music. For instance, we dropped the song ‘Police’ with Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Drille a couple of weeks ago. That is me trying to embrace this new phase. It’s a classic. (We are) making music that is probably going to help people.
The 2022 era, I had quite a lot of trendy songs. And I realized that most times I put out this music, people just take it straight to Tik Tok and then, turn it into a trend. Everytime I see my music, it becomes a Tik Tok sensation and all that.
Well, with all due respect, we need to put credit where credit is due. A world cup performance at Qatar is not just another trend, is it?
I’m not talking about the music, I’m talking about the acceptance of the music. When I started back then, there weren't too many promotional tools online. All of this Tik Tok and stuff. People would push and promote their music the normal way. Also, the attention span of the average listener was longer. People would consume, absorb the music and listen. And that’s how I’ve trained and raised my fans to listen and enjoy the Kizz Daniel experience. Suddenly, when the extra tools started popping out here and there. From 2019 onwards, there was a change. K’s music is now too much fun. They do that with my songs, I don’t know why they don’t do it with the other artists [laugh]. Although it is good because it translates into streams and we make money from it, but I'm an artist. I want them to listen to the full song. Not just to go low, low, low… There’s a whole other message in the song that you guys are missing.
There’s some songs that you love that you can sing from start to finish because you were actually listening. That is exactly what I’m trying to correct with this album. I’m not making it for the kids, I’m not making it too easy. I actually want you to listen to the album. Once you hear the first note or the first line or the first melody or the first string or the first percussion you already know, I have to sit down and listen to this.
I’ve been dropping hit songs since 2014. There was no Tik Tok (then). It was just pure listening energy. It was just people trying to enjoy their music. That’s the era I'm trying to go back to. Some artists still have it unlocked, but I feel like at some point, maybe because I love vibing to my music. Sometimes when fans see me vibing to my music, they’re like okay fine, this is what he wants us to do, which is beautiful and I love seeing it. But I want people to listen to my music more, better than just picking a song and just dancing to it for Tik Tok for a couple of months and then, move on to the next thing. I don’t know if what I’m saying makes sense.
I mean, it is one of the burdens of an artist where you always want to outperform yourself and do better because it is part of the sport.
Exactly! I don’t want it to be about trends, I want you to listen and absorb the music. Not just aimlessly go through the song. I’ve done this before, this is a new time, this a new spirit, I just want you to enjoy the music. We’ve been through all of that in 2022 and 2023, now it’s a new phase, let’s just listen to music and enjoy the rhythm. That’s why I agreed to jump on Fola’s music “Lost” because that’s the type of music that I’m trying to introduce to the industry.
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So why now? Why is it important to unfold this new chapter in your life right now?
Because everything else is boring [laugh]. Honestly, I’m tired of dropping hit songs. Every time I drop a hit song, it’s a hit. I just want to try something new. I want to try something different because Kizz Daniel record is always going to be a hit. I believe it is time to make my fans a little bit uncomfortable. And then, they will get comfortable later.
There’s not only an album that we’re expecting, but also a world tour. There were a lot of dates stemming from the United States. So I wondered what was the thought behind this decision?
Okay, I’m not supposed to have a good number, abeg?
No, of course! [laugh] Is there an angle?
It’s because I got good offers.
Fair enough.
I owe my fans a lot of good energy… I’m just kidding by the way. I think it has been a while since I toured the US and it’s unfair to my fans over there. We don’t even have that much though, it’s only six of seven dates. Almost two years now and I’m finally coming back to the States to reconnect with my fans over there. Start a new chapter with them and this album.
And we love to see it!
Thank you.
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Of course, it wouldn’t be a Deeds special without some exclusives.
Oh, yeah?
Well, I imagine “Police” will be on the album; are there any features you’re keeping a secret and can reveal to us?
Yes, a couple.
Shoot.
I’m not saying sh*t [laugh].
Not even one? [laugh].
No! [laugh] The last time I started running my mouth on radio, I couldn’t get clearance on most of the collaborations. However, this time around, fingers crossed, I don’t want to jinx it. Just let me keep it moving.
Can we expect more collaborations with OGs or new gens? Do we have Benin boys in this album?
I don’t know… I don’t think I have too many new generation artists. Maybe like three of them. Most of them are OGs in and out of Africa. People that I know, grew up listening to and people I really do respect. One of them is Angelique Kidjo. I sampled her song in “Police” as well. So you have an idea of what to expect.
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Yes and we do appreciate you sharing some details. Who does Kizz Daniel listen to these days?
Ah! [laugh] I listen to a lot of people. I don’t have specific artists that I listen to, I just listen to random stuff. It’s crazy because right now, as I’m talking to you, I'm listening to this rock band called Owl City. I used to listen to them some time ago but then I stopped. Recently, I went back to their music.
As a final question; Is there anything you want your fans to know about this album?
I want them to know there might actually not be an album.
Can you repeat yourself please? [laugh] What is happening?
You asked me and I answered your question.
We’re going to need an explanation, please.
It’s nothing that deep [laugh]. Life is life and it’s always life -ing. Until it’s perfect I’m not giving it. I’m a perfectionist. Sometimes I get bored too quickly. If sh*t takes too much time, I will just be like, eh? We’re moving on to the next thing. Tomorrow might come and I might decide that, you know what? F*ck it, I don’t want to drop that album, I just want to drop something else. Maybe an EP, but right now the plan is an album. One thing I want my fans to grace themselves for is that they might not be an album or there might be an album, who knows?
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No, no, no… You’re saying this as if a world tour is not coming right after the album release and your fans are not lining up at the venues.
The world tour is definitely going to come, but I don’t need new music for the world tour to be a success. I already have the catalogue. You sound so concerned!
Of course, I’m concerned! Deeds Magazine is coming to one of your tour dates. But as fans, we’re very happy to hear that the world tour is here to stay.
Yes of course, the tour is definitely here to stay. Let me tell you something crazy that happened. Most of our important devices that stored my music, etc… Has crashed and it is now in the United States to try and recover the data. That might be the reason it can come to a slight delay. Our tools got completely fried and the backup was left in the computer overnight with the laptop plugged in. But I’m back in the studio and we’re recording something else but I’m not a fan of what I am doing right now because it’s a lot of work. I’m trying to record some of the songs because the album is supposed to drop on May 24.
You guys are the first to know what’s happening to me. If an album doesn’t drop on the 24th, I can’t record 14 songs in two weeks. It’s too much and I still have to go to shows. If Apple can get back my info, then hallelujah! I move forward as planned.
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Kizz, we wish you all the best for the remaining days until the official release date. Of course, we will be the first to inform your fans if there’s any last minute changes. However, Deeds Magazine will see you on tour, are we right?
Of course! I can’t wait to see you guys backstage, taking pictures and doing interviews. I’m very camera shy, by the way [laugh].
