Wizkid’s “Long Live Lagos” Documentary Submitted for Grammy Consideration
Aadhya Tibrewal, Jadetimes Staff
The film follows the Nigerian singer’s journey to international fame while keeping his roots and African identity at the center of the story.
For fans who know Wizkid through his songs, Long Live Lagos offers a chance to learn more about his journey. The documentary has been submitted for consideration in the Best Music Film category at the 2027 Grammy Awards. This is an early step in the awards process, so it does not mean the film has been nominated. Whether it reaches the final list will be decided later.
Directed by Karam Gill, the film follows Wizkid as he prepares to perform at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The concert gives the documentary its main setting, but the story reaches beyond that one night. It looks at his rise as a Nigerian artist and how his music has connected with listeners far from home. The documentary is part of HBO’s Music Box series.
Lagos remains an important part of the story. Even as the film follows Wizkid onto an international stage, it brings attention to the place and culture behind his music. HBO describes the documentary as a look at how art and music can change people’s views of Africa. It explores what success can mean when an artist’s work also introduces audiences to a country and culture they may know little about.
The film also connects his career with the worldwide reach of Afrobeats. It includes contributions from musician Femi Kuti, Wizkid’s longtime manager Jada Pollock, and broadcaster Julie Adenuga. Their different perspectives help tell a fuller story about his career and the music around him. They also place his achievements alongside the African artists and cultural influences that came before him.
A song can become part of someone’s everyday life without the listener knowing much about the person who made it. A documentary gives that listener time to look closer. Here, the preparations for a major concert become a way to explore music, ambition and belonging. For viewers, it is an opportunity to think about what an artist takes from home—and what they share with the world.
Long Live Lagos first screened at the 2025 Tribeca Festival before becoming part of HBO’s documentary series. Its reported Grammy submission now brings fresh attention to the film. Fans will have to wait for news about a nomination, but they can already explore the story it tells: a Nigerian musician reaching an international audience while keeping Lagos and African identity central to his journey.
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