Wizkid And Justin Bieber Spark Collaboration Rumors After Studio Sighting
Wizkid And Justin Bieber Spark Collaboration Rumors After Studio Sighting...
Nigerian Afrobeats star Wizkid and Canadian pop icon Justin Bieber have fueled speculation about a potential collaboration after being spotted leaving the same Los Angeles recording studio late Thursday night. The sighting comes just weeks after Bieber publicly praised Wizkid's music during an interview with Rolling Stone.
Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing both artists at Westlake Recording Studios, where Bieber has recorded several albums. Neither artist has confirmed working together, but industry insiders note the timing aligns with Wizkid's upcoming album rollout. The Nigerian singer recently teased new music on Instagram with the caption "Something special coming soon."
Fans immediately began speculating online, with #WizBieber trending on Twitter Friday morning. The potential collaboration would mark Bieber's first major foray into Afrobeats since his 2021 feature on Wizkid's "Essence" remix, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Music analysts suggest a full collaboration could help introduce Afrobeats to broader American audiences. "Bieber's global reach combined with Wizkid's authentic sound creates a perfect crossover opportunity," said Billboard editor Jason Lipshutz. The rumor comes as Afrobeats continues gaining traction in the US, with Burna Boy and Tems both earning Grammy nominations this year.
Representatives for both artists declined to comment when reached by Variety. However, a source close to Wizkid's camp confirmed the singer has been in Los Angeles all week working on "multiple projects." Bieber is currently between tour legs for his Justice World Tour.
Social media reactions have been overwhelmingly positive, with many fans recalling how Bieber helped propel "Essence" to international success. The original version featuring Tems became the first Nigerian song in history to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. A follow-up collaboration could further cement Wizkid's status as Africa's biggest musical export.
Industry tracker Chart Data reports streaming numbers for both artists' catalogs have spiked nearly 20% since the studio sighting. This comes as Spotify prepares to launch its first Afrobeats hub, signaling growing corporate interest in the genre. Neither artist has publicly addressed the rumors as of Friday afternoon.
