A video in which Canadian superstar singer, Justin Bieber performs live the first track off his surprise EP released on on April 4, 2021—Freedom—has generated a lot of comparisons to Nigerian music superstar, Wizkid, with fans of the latter sensing a lot of influence in production, sound and dance routine (or body movements) from Justin Bieber that can be said to have been pioneered by Wizkid.
The video posted shows Justin bieber wearing a sky blue jacket with its matching trouser and a vest underneath performing with a live band to thousands of audience present singing word-for-word the Afrobeat produced Freedom.
Who knew @justinbieber would sound sooo good on Afrobeats 🤯🌍✈️ #Freedom #AfricaToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/UPnjAT7R2G
— rain. (@HarmattanRain) August 11, 2021
Fans of Wizkid, proudly called Wizkid FC, however, have their opinions regarding Justin’s sound. They claim he not only jumped on a familiar Afrobeat production from the percussion to the trumpets but also copied Wizkid’s sound vocally, as they say he, that is Justin Bieber, sounds nothing like his natural self, that does not mean Justin sounded awful but is a compliment to the Nigerian SoundMan.
Why am I hearing wizkid singing in Justin Bieber's body. Those mad Fela moves💓💓
— Thomas NOT Sankara (@Isidore0001) August 11, 2021
How does he sound so much like wizkid 👀 no be bieber wey sing peaches few month ago be dis 😂
— 🦁 (@uchekevin69) August 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/OkoligweSomto/status/1425504004382068738?s=19
I was waiting for Wizkid or Davido to come sing a verse on it atleast I go know say na person wey Sabi hook am on, man copied Wizkid but couldn't improve on it
— Nnaemeka (@emmyspartan) August 11, 2021
This sound very much like Big WIZ
— Paul Ayimien (@PAyimien) August 11, 2021
Why is he trying so hard to sound like wizkid
— AFOLAKEMI (@FOLAKEMl) August 11, 2021
Here’s a video showing a resemblance in Freedom‘s minimalist midtempo Lo-fi melody and lyrics to Wizkid’s fever:
https://twitter.com/GobiloW/status/1379382665070149635?s=19
Too much of wizkid. One can easily discern that wizkid influenced this. The dance, d beat and song pattern.
— ODUMA 🦁🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@Lionheart_147) August 12, 2021
A few others even “dug deeper”, claiming Justin being influenced by Wizkid did not start with Freedom but its origin can be traced to the pose on “Justice” album which had both artistes placing their hands across their face, covering an eye each in the artwork for their respective albums. Another similarity is the titling of their heads to the side.
First he copied Big wiz album pose, now he's coping his vibes and flows. Big wiz is the standard, keep cooking justin pic.twitter.com/q8NM7fYyHI
— Moussa (@moussakallamm) August 11, 2021
https://twitter.com/Breekson1/status/1425551507890520068?s=19
Some are of the opinion he should have at least given Wizkid a shout-out at the end of the performance for the influence and style:
Clear imitation of Wizkid's style, he ought to give him a shout out
— Odogwu esq (@its_emyce) August 11, 2021
Should have give WIZKID a shout out at the end. Cos that’s his flow no cap.
— Easy Money Sniper (@femifemo_) August 12, 2021
He should have finished the performance by shouting out to wizkid for the inspiration
— Femi (BIG NAME) 🥇☀️🥇 (@LogicalySpeakn) August 11, 2021