Kizz Daniel: The Hitmaker of Contemporary Afrobeats

Early Life and Background

Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, known by his stage name Kizz Daniel (formerly Kiss Daniel), was born on 1 May 1994 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

He grew up in a middle-class family and attended Abeokuta Grammar School before studying Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), where he graduated in 2013.

While still in university, Daniel began pursuing music alongside his studies, drawing influence from Afrobeats, R&B, and contemporary pop sounds.

Musical Career

Kizz Daniel’s career took off in 2014 when he released his debut single “Woju” under G-Worldwide Entertainment. The song became an instant hit across Nigeria, earning him nationwide fame. The remix, featuring Tiwa Savage and Davido, solidified his breakthrough.

His debut album New Era (2016) produced back-to-back hits and earned critical acclaim. However, after contract disputes with G-Worldwide, Daniel left in 2017 and rebranded from Kiss Daniel to Kizz Daniel. He then founded his own record label, Flyboy Inc., under which he has released numerous hit singles and albums.

Key Milestones

• 2014: Breakthrough with Woju.
• 2016: Released debut album New Era, earning Best Album of the Year at the Headies.
• 2017: Left G-Worldwide, launched Flyboy Inc., and rebranded as Kizz Daniel.
• 2018: Released No Bad Songz, confirming his reputation as a hitmaker.
• 2020: Dropped King of Love album, featuring hits like Ada and Boys Are Bad.
• 2022: Released Barnabas EP with the viral hit “Buga” (feat. Tekno), which became one of the biggest Afrobeats songs globally.
• 2023: Dropped the album Maverick, showcasing musical versatility.

Style and Influence

Kizz Daniel is celebrated for his ability to create evergreen hits. His style is a blend of:

• Afropop and Afrobeats rhythms,
• Smooth R&B melodies,
• Street-wise lyrics with global appeal.

He is often praised for his melodic hooks, storytelling, and consistent ability to deliver commercially successful songs.

Discography

Studio Albums

1. New Era (2016)
   • Woju
   • Laye
   • Mama
   • Good Time
2. No Bad Songz (2018)
   • Madu
   • Poko
   • One Ticket (feat. Davido)
   • Tere (feat. Diamond Platnumz)
3. King of Love (2020)
   • Ada
   • Boys Are Bad
   • Chek
   • Pak N Go
4. Barnabas (EP, 2021)
   • Pour Me Water
   • Eh God (Barnabas)
   • Lie
5. Maverick (2023)
   • Buga (feat. Tekno)
   • Cough (Odo)
   • Shu-Peru
   • My G
   • Anchovy

Selected Hit Singles

• Woju (2014)
• Laye (2015)
• Mama (2016)
• Yeba (2017)
• One Ticket (feat. Davido, 2018)
• Jaho (2019)
• Ada (2020)
• Lie (2021)
• Buga (feat. Tekno, 2022) 🎶 (global anthem)
• Cough (Odo) (2022)
• Shu-Peru (2023)

Awards and Recognition

• Headies Award – Best R&B/Pop Album (New Era, 2016).
• Nigeria Entertainment Awards – Afropop Artist of the Year.
• Nominated for multiple Soundcity MVP Awards and All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
• His song “Buga” was performed worldwide and became the most Shazamed song globally in mid-2022.

Conclusion

Kizz Daniel has proven himself as one of Nigeria’s most consistent hitmakers, with an uncanny ability to produce chart-topping songs year after year. With his smooth vocals, memorable hooks, and international appeal, he continues to push Afrobeats to new heights, truly living up to his “No Bad Songz” mantra.