The 2025 Tribeca Film Festival, scheduled to run from 4 to 15 June in New York City, will host the world premiere of Wizkid: Long Live Lagos, a documentary chronicling the rise of Nigerian music superstar Wizkid. Directed by Karam Gill and produced in partnership with HBO Documentary Films, the 83-minute feature is a blend of music, politics and personal biography, capturing the cultural force that is Ayodeji Balogun, known globally as Wizkid.

Spanning Lagos and London, the documentary tracks Wizkid’s evolution from a teenage sensation in Nigeria to a Grammy-winning global icon reshaping how African music is heard and understood. It is scheduled to debut on 6 June at the OKX Theater, with additional screenings on 7 and 11 June at AMC 19th Street East 6.

The film is part of the Expressions of Black Freedom programme, a segment of the Tribeca Festival spotlighting Black voices shaping the world through art and storytelling. Wizkid: Long Live Lagos features rare behind-the-scenes footage, candid interviews and concert performances that showcase the artist’s creative process and political consciousness and social influence.

In an interview with Billboard, director Karam Gill described Wizkid as a once-in-a-generation artist who has redefined the sound of pop and changed how Africa is seen worldwide. The documentary explores not only his music but also his influence in challenging outdated narratives around African identity.

The title Long Live Lagos pays homage to Wizkid’s deep ties to his hometown. The film features appearances from his close collaborators, family and key industry figures such as Femi Kuti, Jada Pollock, Julie Adenuga and Seni Saraki. Through their voices, the documentary reveals the cultural environment that shaped his early years and global perspective.

It also includes commentary from Sunday Are, Wizkid’s long-time manager, fashion consultant Karen Binns and journalist Seni Saraki, who all discuss how the artist’s impact extends beyond music into fashion, youth culture and international representation.

At its heart, Wizkid: Long Live Lagos is a story about reclaiming African identity through global visibility. With a score by Craig Deleon and editing by Joshua Whitaker, the documentary is backed by executive producers from MACRO, HBO and United Talent Agency, ensuring it reaches audiences worldwide.