Kizz Daniel

2013–2014: Early career and breakthrough

Kiss Daniel began writing songs at the age of 11. While in secondary school and at FUNAAB, he recorded early material with Jahbless.^[13] He graduated in 2013 and began his professional music career after signing with G-Worldwide Entertainment that same year.^[14] On 1 May 2014, he released his debut single, "Shoye", which was produced by A1, alongside "Chidioke", produced by Jay Sleek.^[15][14] The music video for "Shoye" was released on 12 July 2014; it was directed by MEX Films.^[16][17] Daniel followed "Shoye" by releasing "Woju" on 1 September 2014. The song was produced by DJ Coublon and features live guitar work from Fiokee.^[14] The song had been written around 2012 while he was still in university but recorded shortly before its release.^[18] Described as a mid-tempo highlife and Afropop track, "Woju" gained significant radio airplay and television rotation across Nigeria.^[14] It was later nominated for Hottest Single of the Year at the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and won the award for Best Song in Melody at the 2015 COSON Song Awards.^[19][20] The music video peaked at number one on MTV Base's Official Naija Top 10 chart for six weeks.^[21] Following its growing popularity, he announced a remix of "Woju" featuring Davido and Tiwa Savage, which was released on 28 February 2015.^[22][23] The remix was met with mixed reviews.

2015–2016: "Laye", "Mama", and New Era

On 1 May 2015, Kiss Daniel's birthday, he released a third follow-up single, "Laye", also produced by DJ Coublon.^[24] It was followed by a video released two weeks later on 18 May 2015. Shot by AJE Films in East Africa, Daniel's then-labelmate Sugarboy makes a cameo playing the role of his wingman.^[25][26] 360nobs' Henry Igwe said that the visuals were "packed, novel, brilliant stuff" with "an absolute Afro pop material with Makossa undertones," praised the creative use of locations and beats, and concluded, "This. Is. A. Hit!"^[27] The video won the award for Best Video by a New Artiste at the 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards.^[28] "Laye" drew criticism from people who thought it sounded too much like "Woju". In response, his manager Louiza Williams acknowledged the criticism and stated that feedback from fans would inform future projects.^[29][30] Aribaba of Jaguda said that Kiss Daniel combined well with DJ Coublon's production, the melody and chorus were catchy, and although it was similar to "Woju", "it's a good showing from Kiss Daniel", giving it a 3.5/5 rating.^[31] In October 2015, NotJustOk ranked Kiss Daniel #7 on their annual list of the 10 Hottest Artists In Nigeria.^[32]

Kiss Daniel released the Young Jonn-produced single "Mama" on 5 April 2016.^[33] In December 2016, Premium Times announced that "Mama" became the most googled song in Nigeria in 2016.^[34] It was ranked #2 on 360nobs' list of the Biggest Songs of 2016.^[35] The song received positive reception from music critics. Jim Donnett of tooXclusive described "Mama" as a "typical love song", "executed with the styling of a banging turn up jam".^[36] The accompanying music video for "Mama" was released on 20 April 2016. Directed by Aje Filmworks, the video shows a car crash caused by the lead character using her phone while driving.^[37] It was inspired by Kiss Daniel's own car accident in January of that year, which he survived.^[38][39] The week of 8 May 2016, "Mama" debuted at #4 on the Playdata #RadioTopTen charts, a weekly airplay chart that measured songs being played on the radio and television stations in Nigeria.^[40] The following week, it became the most played song on the radio, and managed to climb to the #1 position. It stayed at #1 for four consecutive weeks before being displaced to the #2 position by Phyno's "Fada Fada".^[41][42] At The Headies 2016, the single received a nomination for Best Pop Single while Young Jonn won Producer of the Year for it.^[43][44] The song also won Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards.^[45] Furthermore, the single received nominations for Viewer's Choice at the 2016 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival,^[46] Best Artiste/Duo/Group In African RnB & Soul at the 2016 All Africa Music Awards,^[47] and Certified Banger of the Year at the 2017 tooXclusive Awards.^[48]

On 14 May 2016, Daniel released his debut studio album New Era.^[49][50] The album contained 20 tracks with only label mate Sugarboy making vocal appearances. It was supported by the singles "Woju", "Laye", "Good Time", and "Mama". Upon release, the album debuted at number eight on the Billboard World Albums chart.^[51] Critics praised its production, melodies, and songwriting, describing it as a "solid and worthy debut" and "a delightful mix of breezy pop tunes." New Era won Album of the Year and Best R&B/Pop Album at The Headies 2016.^[52]

2017–2018: Label exit and No Bad Songz

In October 2017, many of his fans thought he would make a career switch to comedy as he was uploading comedy skits. However, he said he has no intention of switching to comedy as music is his main talent.^[53] In November 2017, Kiss Daniel announced his split from his record label, G-Worldwide, and created his own label called Flyboy I.N.C.^[54] He was sued to court by the former record label but was not found guilty for any of the crimes he was accused of.^[55][56] In May 2018, Kiss Daniel announced that he had changed his stage name from Kiss Daniel to Kizz Daniel, a name that immediately reflected on his social media accounts. New Spotify and Apple Music accounts were also created immediately with the name Kizz Daniel, with his new songs featured.^[57][58] In June 2018, Kizz Daniel's former record label, G-Worldwide, made a move to own the rights to the name "Kizz Daniel" and further advised the singer to desist from using the name or face legal consequences in a press release sent out to media houses.^[59] In October 2018, Daniel responded to the suit and statement made by his former record label, G-Worldwide, through his own lawyer.^[60] In April 2022, Emperor Geezy and Daniel settled their disputes, outside the court in a viral video tagged #Peace&Love.^[61] After his exit from his former label, G-Worldwide, he went to float his own personal imprint Flyboy I.N.C. where he signed two acts, Demmie Vee and Philkeyz. Kizz Daniel was featured on Demmie Vee's debut single entitled "You Go Wait?" in 2018.^[62] 2018 was considered a good year for Daniel, as he featured Wizkid on his song "For You"^[63] and Davido on another single "One Ticket" which hit the charts within 24 hours of its release. On 30 November 2018, Kizz Daniel released his second studio album and his first under Flyboy I.N.C titled No Bad Songz. The album contained 20 songs including the pre-released "One Ticket" which he featured Davido on. Other features on the album included Nasty C, Diamond Platnumz, Philkeyz, Demmie Vee, DJ Xclusive, Wretch 32, Diplo and Sarkodie. The album received positive reviews from music lovers, it debuted at No. 55 on the US iTunes Chart and rose to number 1 on the Billboard World Albums chart within 24 hours of its release.

2019–2021: King of Love and later projects

On 25 June 2020, he released his third studio album King of Love.^[64] The album focused on themes of romantic and emotional connections and featured production from multiple Nigerian producers. Critics praised its songwriting and cohesive sound, and it debuted on streaming platforms through Flyboy I.N.C.

2022–present

For the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kizz Daniel performed his hit single "Buga" in Qatar,^[65] he has expressed his desire to perform at the FIFA World Cup and shared an update on whether he would be appearing at the world's biggest footballing event.^[66][67] On 8 August 2022, Kizz Daniel was arrested in Dar es Salaam by the Tanzanian police force over failure to perform.^[68]

On 14 October 2022, he released his second single of the year, "Cough (Odo)", produced by Blaisebeatz and Philkeyz.^[69][70] He was named Artiste of the Year by Leadership newspaper at the end of 2022.^[71] In February 2023, Kizz Daniel won Song of the Year for "Buga" at the Soundcity MVP Awards, which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos.^[72]

Studio albums

• New Era (2016)
• No Bad Songz (2018)
• King of Love (2020)
• Maverick (2023)

Headlining

• Kiss Daniel UK Tour (2015)
• Kiss Daniel USA Tour (2016)
• New Era: Europe Summer Tour (2017)
• NBS Concert Tour (2019)