Fans of Wizkid have labelled him a cultist without any proof whatsoever.
Is Wizkid a cultist?
This question has been asked a million times by fans of the superstar. From his style of handshakes to wearing red berets and headbands, it is no doubt that the "come closer" singer has been linked to cults. Wizkid is an award-winning Nigerian artiste who needs no introduction. He began his music career in his church choir. The positive influence of afro music legends on his music career is a well-known fact. He has gotten assistance in one way or the other from stars like 2face, Naeto C and Banky W. Obviously, all of these had little to no contribution to the success of the Wizkid everyone knows today. He is well respected within and outside the shores of Nigeria. BET Awards, Headies, MTV, Ghana Music Awards are just some of the many awards Wizkid has received, and he is undoubtedly headed for a Grammy award. More often than not, one can pinpoint the cult a person belongs to by specific signs. However, with Wizkid, the cult group he belongs to is somewhat obscure. Rumours which have circulated the internet suggested that Wizkid is a Viking cult member. However, a lot of his fans are sure that he is a member of the Eiye confraternity.
How did cultism start in Nigeria?
The first cultism movement in Nigeria was called “Pyrates”. It was founded in 1952 by Nobel Prize-winning author Wole Soyinka and his friends. Later they were called “Sea Dogs”. After some time, another kind of community was created, called the “secret cults”. Although the original intention of cultism was to make a positive contribution to society, over time, it has become an organized crime group from which many members went astray, committing violence in Nigeria and delving into crime abroad. Nowadays, newbies go through a life-changing initiation process. Older members blindfold them while singing, dancing and drinking. They also form a ring around the initiates, beating them severely from night until the early hours of the morning. The ritual is supposed to purge the initiates of weaknesses and instil bravery in them. An ex-cult member told the BBC that “the moment you go in there and come out, you are a different person". These societies -- also referred to as confraternities and campus cults -- have names like Vikings, Black Axe, Eiye and the Buccaneers. The accusation that Wizkid belongs to the Vikings may come from the fact that he used slang like “aro” in some of his songs. The Vikings, otherwise known as aro-mates or De Norsemen, was established by three students once a part of the Pirate’s Community. Their motto and rules are "to not retreat even before death", "blood in the sea", and "to sing pirate songs". The Vikings’ style of handshakes called “Clawing” -- which includes grabbing the wrist or twisting the fingers -- has been practised by Wizkid many times, even on camera. He is also notorious for flaunting red and black coloured berets associated with this same cult group. Of course, even if he were a cult member, to declare such would probably harm his career. A substantial number of new musical artists are believed to have started embracing cults as a sure way to gain quick popularity and wealth and to retain the respect of music lovers. Some of them have shown signs that show they belong to a particular confraternity, which has been evident in their lifestyle, lyrics, fashion and style.
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