In Nigeria’s entertainment scene, a well-known figure’s career can take a downturn in an instant.
For some artists, a shout‑out, a viral video, or the support of a well‑known figure was all it took to go from fading away to being back in the spotlight.
Here are some celebrities who have openly thanked someone famous for helping to boost or revive their careers.
1. Layi Wasabi — Davido & the Adeleke Family
Content creator Layi Wasabi opened up on how Davido and his family changed his life. He described the Afrobeats superstar as his “most supportive friend,” saying the encouragement started long before he became famous.
Speaking on the Chude Show, Layi, whose real name is Isaac Olayiwola, explained that both Davido and his family have consistently supported his creative journey. In his words:
“Davido is my most supportive friend, even before my fame. Davido’s family has always shown me support.”
Layi also praised Tunji Adeleke and his family, highlighting the role they played in encouraging him during his early days. Layi added:
“Tunji Adeleke is also my close friend. The whole family is lovely and supportive. They have supported me right from the very beginning. Big shout out to Davido and the Adelekes.”
Best known for his digital comedy skits, Layi Wasabi has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading content creators, branching out into acting and brand partnerships.
2. Skales — Lamine Yamal
Nigerian singer Skales experienced one of the most unusual comebacks in Afrobeats and it wasn’t because of another song, label deal, or celebrity collab. Instead, it happened because of a viral dance video by teenage football star Lamine Yamal that brought his music back into the spotlight.
Skales, whose real name is Raoul John Njeng‑Njeng, had been struggling with his career in early 2025. According to the ‘Shake Body’ crooner, he felt like people were talking down on him and that his music wasn’t getting the attention it once had. During a December church service at Harvesters, he shared how he had spent months praying and fasting for a breakthrough. Then something unexpected happened.
Videos began circulating online showing the Barcelona and Spain football star, Lamine Yamal dancing to Skales’ 2014 hit song ‘Shake Body’. The clip quickly spread on TikTok and other social platforms, drawing huge attention from football fans and music lovers around the world.
Skales revealed that one simple dance step in that video completely changed everything, leading to a surge in interest in his music and a renewed buzz around his career a decade after ‘Shake Body’ was first released.
The viral moment led to new opportunities for Skales. He shared how he got invitations to major events, had global streaming success, and even a tribute track called Dance Like Lamine Yamal, inspired by the viral dance. He also took part in celebrations alongside Yamal and others, showing just how much the moment shifted his career. Sharing how his career was revived, Skales said:
“Earlier this year [2025], I prayed a lot, I fasted a lot; l’ve never fasted like this year. I told God that he needed to bless me because I’m being laughed at and my career just looked funny.
I wrote down seven prayer points, and all of them happened in one day. The one that changed my life was when a kid in Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, did a simple dance step to my song, and it went viral.”
3. Terry Apala — Wizkid
Nigerian singer Terry Apala says his music career took a big turn because of one of the country’s biggest stars, Wizkid. Terry Apala who is known for blending traditional Apala sounds with modern Afrobeat and hip‑hop credited Wizkid for changing his career after the superstar featured on the remix of his song “Apala Disco.”
In an interview with Pulse, Terry Apala explained that before the feature, he had been struggling to get the attention his music deserved. He opened up on how he was planning to spend millions of Naira promoting the track when Wizkid came through. Terry Apala said:
“It wasn’t my doing. Wizkid just decided to help me, seeing that I’ve been struggling in the music industry for long. He changed my entire career with just one verse.
“It’s more like a shortcut. It’s like you’re planning to spend millions to promote your song and Wizkid now jumped on the song; it will automatically reduce the promotion budget. That’s how God works.”
The remix which also featured Seyi Vibes and DJ Tunez became a major moment for Terry Apala, bringing his music to wider audiences and helping him rise in popularity.
4. Portable — Olamide
Portable, whose real name is Habeeb Okikiola Badmus has openly talked about how Olamide played a big role in changing his career and helping him rise from street performances to mainstream success.
Portable revealed on Tiktok live how he used to perform for very small amounts of money, sometimes as little as ₦200 per show before his big break came. He has said that his life and career changed after Olamide featured on his hit song ‘Zazu Zeh’ and supported him while others overlooked him.
In interviews and social media posts, Portable described Olamide as his “godfather” in the music industry, saying that the feature helped him gain recognition he might not have gotten on his own. He also said Olamide encouraged him when people didn’t believe in his potential. Portable revealed:
“I would have still been on the streets if not for Olamide, I went to London to collaborate with the best rapper in the UK and it’s all thanks to Olamide. He told me that I was gonna make it even when nobody believed in me. And I have made it bigger than I ever thought.
“Olamide is a boss and I respect him so much.
He sponsored me without asking for anything in return. Olamide is the only guy in the music industry that showed me love.
“Olamide paved the way for me, and God used him to bless me. I’m from the streets. I used to perform for ₦200 but I thank God for sending Olamide to me.”
Portable’s story shows how one major collaboration, especially with a well‑known artist like Olamide, can help an artist go from performing on small stages to commanding attention on bigger platforms.
5. Zlatan Ibile — Olamide
Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has openly said that his big break came after he worked with Olamide, one of the country’s most successful music stars. According to Zlatan, his career took a major turnwhen Olamide gave him a verse on the song “My Body” in 2017 — a moment he describes as life‑changing.
In a popular interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Zlatan explained how he had persistently reached out to Olamide on social media and even sent him direct messages asking for a collaboration. At first, nothing happened as Olamide gave him appointments that didn’t work out. But on the third attempt, Olamide finally invited Zlatan to his house.
Zlatan thought they might record a rap track, since he was focused on rap at the time. But Olamide had something different in mind. They worked on an Afrobeats‑style song that would help Zlatan connect with a wider audience. That song titled “My Body” became a breakthrough hit and marked the moment when Zlatan’s career really took off.
“Olamide giving me a verse at that time was life‑changing for me,” Zlatan said, describing how that collaboration helped shift his journey from underground rap circles into the mainstream.
After “My Body” made waves, Zlatan gained much more attention in the Nigerian music scene, and later collaborations and features built on that momentum. Today, he is one of the best‑known rappers and entertainers in the country and he never fails to credit Olamide’s strategic support and belief for giving him his first big boost.
6. Ruger — Wizkid
After leaving Jonzing World, singer Ruger entered a delicate phase in his career. While he was already successful, many fans questioned whether he could maintain momentum as an independent artist without the structure of a label behind him.
During this period, Wizkid publicly showed support for Ruger, sharing his music and giving him a quiet but powerful co-sign. That single gesture mattered. In Nigeria’s music industry, approval from a global star like Wizkid often reassures fans and industry players that an artist is still “valid.”
Ruger later acknowledged that the support, along with the renewed attention it brought helped steady his career at a time when people were watching closely to see if he would fade or survive the transition.
Shortly after, Ruger released new music that performed well, proving that he could stand on his own. The Wizkid co-sign didn’t create Ruger’s success, but it helped protect and reinforce it at a critical moment.
7. Patoranking — Timaya
Before Patoranking became a global Afrobeats and dancehall star, his music career was still struggling to find its footing. Despite his talent, he was largely unknown to the mainstream until Timaya stepped in at a crucial moment.
Patoranking has openly said that his life changed after Timaya featured him on the song “Alubarika.”At the time, Timaya was already a big name in the industry, and that collaboration instantly put Patoranking in front of a much larger audience.
The song became a hit and introduced Patoranking as a fresh voice with a unique sound. For many listeners, “Alubarika” was their first time hearing him and it opened doors that had previously been shut.
Patoranking later signed with Foston Musik and went on to release several successful songs and albums, building an international career that includes global tours and awards. But he has never shied away from acknowledging that Timaya’s support was the turning point.
The Power of a Single Influence
What unites these stories is a common thread of how one person’s belief, recognition, or action can dramatically alter a career. In this age of social media and global culture crossover, influence can come from fellow artists, creators, influencers, or even athletes, as in Skales’ case with Lamine Yamal.
These revelations reflect a deeper truth about the entertainment ecosystem in Nigeria and beyond, that success is often communal, not solitary. It thrives on networks, champions, and moments of connection that spark a second opportunity, sometimes when it’s needed most.
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