Apple Music has named Wizkid, the Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, as its ‘African Artiste of the Year’.

The music company, via its website on Tuesday, announced the winners of its annual Apple Music awards.

Wizkid was one of the five artists to emerge as ‘Artist of the Year’ from various regions.

Listing Wizkid’s achievements, Apple said: “In October 2020, he released Made in Lagos, his critically acclaimed and most commercially successful album, which included his hit song ‘Essence’.

“[‘Essence] gained 125 million plays on Apple Music and over 2.8 million Shazams.

“This past year, he’s been the most streamed African artist on the continent on Apple Music and ranked on the daily top 100 charts in 60 countries.

“[This is] in addition to his monthly plays on Apple Music growing by more than 250 percent outside of Africa.”

“He’s also been featured on Apple Music’s Today’s Hits and R&B Now playlists, and he’s a frequent guest on Apple Music Radio shows.”

Receiving the award, Wizkid said: “It’s a blessing to get to do what I do, and I’m proud to be representing Africa.”

The Weeknd, the Canadian R&B star, won the ‘Global Artist of the Year’ category after achieving a stellar 2021.

Other winners of the ‘Artist of the Year’ award in different regions include Aya Nakamura (from France), RIN (Germany), Official Hige Dandism (Japan), and Scriptonite (Russia).