“I Love Wizkid But His Fans Be Moving Mad Sometimes – Tems”
That statement is a whole mood, and if you’ve spent any time on “Nigerian Twitter” or music forums, you’ve likely seen this exact sentiment echoed by countless people. It perfectly captures a complex, modern fan experience: unwavering love for an artist, paired with absolute bewilderment at the behavior of their most vocal supporters.
Let’s break down why this is such a common feeling.
The Root of the Love: A Shared Legacy
First, it’s important to understand why Tems—or any sane music lover—would declare love for Wizkid.
- The King of Afrobeats: Wizkid is a pioneer. For many, he was the gateway to the global Afrobeats movement. His music scores memories, and his success feels like a collective win.
- The “Essence” Effect: Their collaboration on “Essence” was a cultural reset. It was a perfect musical marriage that dominated airwaves globally and arguably became the song of the summer (and several summers after). There’s a natural fondness and respect that comes from creating history together.
So, the love for Wizkid himself is genuine and well-earned. The friction comes from a subsection of his massive fanbase, known as “Wizkid FC.”
How Wizkid FC “Moves Mad”: The Common Complaints
When fans say they “move mad,” they’re referring to specific, recurring behaviors:
1. The Unnecessary Comparison & “Carrying” Narrative
This is the biggest one. After Tems’ solo success exploded with songs like “Free Mind” and “Me & U,” and especially after her Grammy win, a narrative emerged from some Wizkid fans: “Wizkid made Tems.” While “Essence” undoubtedly gave her international exposure, this narrative dismisses her own immense talent, hard work, and pre-“Essence” successes. It often feels like an attempt to dim her light to keep his shining brighter.
2. Aggressive Online Defense
Any perceived slight, or even a neutral comment about Tems that doesn’t mention Wizkid, can be met with a swarm of aggressive replies. This creates a hostile environment where other fans feel they can’t celebrate Tems’ individual achievements without someone crediting Wizkid for her career.
3. Stirring Up Non-Existent Beef
The internet thrives on drama, and some fans try to create it where there isn’t any. A new Tems song drops, and the comments are filled with, “It’s good, but it’s no ‘Essence’,” or “She needs Wizkid again.” This shifts the conversation from appreciating her art to a tedious comparison game.
4. The Entitlement to a Collab
Because “Essence” was so iconic, there’s a constant demand from fans for a sequel. While many would love another collaboration, some Wizkid FC members express this with a sense of entitlement, acting as if Tems is obligated to feature on his albums or that her career is incomplete without another Wiz feature.
The Bigger Picture: It’s Not All Fans
It’s crucial to state the obvious: this does not apply to all or even most Wizkid fans. Every major fanbase has a loud, often toxic minority whose voices unfortunately drown out the reasonable, supportive majority. Many Wizkid fans also love Tems and celebrate both artists independently.
Why This Happens: A Fanbase Psychology
This behavior isn’t unique to Wizkid FC; it’s common with fanbases of iconic figures.
- Protectiveness: Fans feel a deep connection to their favorite artist and see any rise of a collaborator as a potential threat to their idol’s “top dog” status.
- Tribalism: Online culture encourages “stan” behavior, where you must defend your “team” relentlessly and attack any perceived rivals.
- Owning a Legacy: Some fans feel that by associating with a hit like “Essence,” they have a claim to any success that comes from it.
Conclusion: Separating the Art from the Fandom
The statement “I love Wizkid but his fans be moving mad sometimes” is ultimately a plea for nuance. It’s about:
- Separating the artist from the fanbase. You can stream “Made in Lagos” and still be frustrated by the comments on Tems’ Instagram.
- Celebrating artists on their own terms. Tems can be a global superstar both because of her incredible collaboration with Wizkid and because of her own singular talent.
- Wanting a more peaceful online space where we can appreciate good music without the unnecessary noise and “stan” wars.
In the end, both Wizkid and Tems are once-in-a-generation talents who have made history on their own and together. The hope for most music lovers is that the “madness” dies down so we can all just enjoy the vibes.