Wizkid Documentary “Long Live Lagos” to Premiere at 2025 Tribeca Festival

NEW YORK, April 17, 2025 — A new documentary chronicling the rise of Nigerian music icon Wizkid is set to premiere at this year’s Tribeca Festival in New York City, spotlighting the Afrobeat star’s journey from Lagos to global superstardom.

Titled Wizkid: Long Live Lagos, the film will debut in Tribeca’s prestigious Spotlight+ section in June. Known for blending film screenings with live events, the section will feature a special conversation after the screening between Wizkid and the film’s director, Karam Gill — offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes look into the life and mind of one of Africa’s biggest cultural exports.

Directed by Gill and produced alongside Daniel Malikyar, the documentary paints an intimate portrait of Wizkid’s evolution — from a boy growing up in the Surulere area of Lagos to a Grammy-winning artist who helped put Afrobeat on the global map.

“Long Live Lagos isn’t just about music,” said a statement from the filmmakers. “It’s about legacy, identity, and the rise of African culture on the world stage.”

The film dives into pivotal moments in Wizkid’s career and features those closest to his journey, including his longtime manager and partner Jada Pollock, Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti, and a mix of industry insiders from the music, fashion, and media worlds who have witnessed his ascent firsthand.

Wizkid’s influence spans beyond music. With collaborations ranging from Drake to Beyoncé, and sold-out concerts from London’s O2 Arena to New York’s Madison Square Garden, he has become a leading figure in the global wave of African music.

“Wizkid isn’t just a Nigerian artist — he’s a world artist now,” said director Karam Gill, who previously directed acclaimed documentaries on hip-hop stars like Lil Baby. “Telling his story is about documenting a cultural movement, one that’s reshaping how African creativity is seen and heard across the globe.”

Long Live Lagos joins a robust slate of music documentaries at this year’s Tribeca Festival, alongside films on international stars like Miley Cyrus, Metallica, and Depeche Mode. Yet Wizkid’s story stands out as a distinctly African narrative breaking new ground in a traditionally Western-dominated space.

The documentary is being distributed by HBO Documentary Films, further solidifying its place as a major moment not just for Wizkid, but for Afrobeat and African storytelling in global media.

The 2025 Tribeca Festival will run from June 4 to June 15, drawing filmmakers, fans, and critics from around the world. For Wizkid and his fans, Long Live Lagos represents more than a film — it’s a celebration of cultural pride, perseverance, and the sound of a new global era.