Wizkid Calls Jamaica “The Most Beautiful Place”

Afropop star Wizkid likened Jamaican and Nigerian cultures in his recent Rolling Stone interview. The 31-year-old singer/songwriter sat down with Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley via Zoom where they each shared an appreciation for the other’s homeland. The two first collaborated on the soulful standout from 2020’s Made In Lagos, Blessed.

They linked up again as part of Rolling Stone’s Musicians on Musicians series where they spoke on spirituality, fatherhood, and mutual admiration for each other’s culture.

Wizkid has been listening to both Jr. Gong and his iconic father, Bob Marley, from an early age, and he’s also been a fan of Jamaica since then. Nigeria is one of several countries worldwide that has embraced Reggae music as a viable medium, and the northern African nation is home to major events such as the Africa Meets Reggae International World Music Festival. Wizkid told the outlet that despite being worlds apart, both cultures were essentially “the same thing”.

He further expounded on the source of his childhood fascination.

“Well, Jamaica is a place that, from when I was young — especially when you’re from Africa, when you’re from Lagos, Nigeria — it was so amazing to see the culture. Just to listen to the music, because that was what we were first introduced to, and later, seeing the videos and finding out more about the culture. It’s like, “Yo, this is like us.” It’s the same thing,” Wizkid said.

He added that upon visiting the Caribbean destination — he recorded in Jamaica with Reggae/Dancehall stars including Chronixx and Buju Banton for three weeks in 2019 — he was even more impressed. “When I went to Jamaica for the first time, it was everything that I thought it would be and more. It’s an amazing place, the most beautiful place, amazing food, great people.”

Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley expressed similar sentiments on not only Nigeria but Africa’s remarkable quality.

“For me, we grew up hearing about Africa — Nigeria, Ethiopia, all these places. It is almost like a dream. You’re hearing about this far-off place until you end up going there, until you end up meeting people from there. Rastafari is heavily embedded in African culture and is very proud of our African roots,” the Speak Life singer said.

“As a Jamaican, as Rasta, we definitely have a great affinity toward his culture,” he continued. “We are definitely big fans of anything African.”