Global Afrobeats icon Wizkid once stood on the edge of walking away from music entirely, at a time when the world believed he was only rising higher.
The deeply personal revelation was made by his long-time manager and partner, Jada Pollock, in the HBO documentary Long Live Lagos, offering fans an intimate look into a chapter of his life that had remained hidden behind sold-out arenas and chart-topping hits.
The documentary, now streaming on Max, follows the tense build-up to Wizkid’s historic concert at London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on July 29, 2023 — a landmark event that would later see him become the first African artist to sell out the 60,000-capacity venue. But as preparations intensified, Wizkid was hit with heartbreaking news: his mother had been diagnosed with cancer. According to Jada, the emotional blow left him overwhelmed and questioning whether he could continue performing at all.
In raw interview moments, Jada — who has managed Wizkid for eight years and shares two children with him — recounts how the singer considered stepping away from the spotlight, exhausted by the pressures of fame and the weight of personal loss. The situation became so uncertain that members of the production team reportedly braced themselves for a possible cancellation, a moment echoed by broadcaster Julie Adenuga in the film.
Yet, in the midst of grief and doubt, Wizkid made a defining choice. Jada revealed that he ultimately decided to go on stage, not just for himself, but for what he represented. He recognised that his journey — and his visibility on global stages — carried meaning for a new generation of African artists watching from home, turning his pain into purpose.
That night, Wizkid delivered a career-defining performance, blending early classics like Ojuelegba and Don’t Dull with global anthems such as Essence and Joro during his More Love, Less Ego tour. The concert would go down in history — but its emotional weight deepened weeks later when Wizkid’s mother passed away on August 18, 2023.
Long Live Lagos also shines a light on the bond between Wizkid and Jada, portraying her as more than a manager — but a steady force through one of the most turbulent periods of his life. Fans have since flooded social media with praise for her openness and for Wizkid’s resilience, calling the story a powerful reminder that behind global fame lie silent battles, and behind greatness, moments of near surrender
