Afrobeats musician Wizkid could have had it all after his sold-out performance at the O2 Arena, but if this time is sensitive for anything, it’s inappropriate touching on-stage, in front of thousands of people. Wizkid is seen sexually touching Tems, another Nigerian singer, in the video from the event, when she is seen removing his hands from her butts.
The uncomfortable fan video is making rounds on the internet, and many attendees, as well as watchers from around the world, are finding it highly inappropriate behavior. Many are accusing Wizkid of sexual harassment. People are sharing their anger, asking for an apology from the singer on the internet.
One user wrote on the viral video, “Why would he do that??? Very inappropriate. Stop touching women without permission,” with another user saying, “It was inappropriate and embarrassing… I thought by now he should know Tems carries herself different.” It is followed by hundreds and thousands of people noting how uncomfortable Tems looks in the video, even while she peels Wizkid’s hands away from herself.
The overall performance and the entire event in general was and still is, praised by several attendees and reviewers, with The Guardian calling it, “African music perhaps has no greater ambassador than Afrobeats superstar Wizkid.” Wizkid also announced a new song release with Burna Boy at the event.
“By the way tonight, I want you all to know something tonight. Burna Boy and I are dropping a new song. We got a new video, everything coming for you guys. So don’t dull, don’t sleep on a bicycle,” announced Wizkid during his O2 Arena performance.
The singer also held a minute of silence for fashion designer, Virgil Abloh, who passed away recently due to cancer, at the age of 41. The two artists had collaborated before when Abloh designed a Made in Lagos set for Wizkid from his Off-White brand. News of his death was announced only hours before the performance and the singer paid a tribute by singing “Smile” and “Blessed” for the deceased.
The inappropriate touching was not all for the night’s elements however, people were also shocked when Wizkid brought out singer Chris Brown as a guest performer, for his first event in London in 10 years. The singer had been banned from the UK after assaulting his former girlfriend, Rihanna, in 2009. He pleaded guilty to felony assault charges, he served 6 years of probation until 2015.
Many big names in the music industry have recently faced criticism due to their alliances with former or even current problematic celebrities accused of abuse or assault; Drake for giving credits to R. Kelly on Certified Lover Boy, Kanye West for collaborating with Marilyn Manson for Donda. Wizkid is not the first internationally known celebrity with a responsibility to his fans to take this route.
