Afrobeats star Wizkid, born Ayodeji Balogun, announced the cancellation of multiple North American dates for his ‘Morayo’ tour, originally scheduled to begin in June 2025 across cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Toronto.
The decision, shared via his management, disappointed 50,000 ticket holders, with refunds promised within 14 days. An associate close to the singer cited logistical challenges, including visa delays for his 20-member crew and production issues with U.S. promoters, as the primary reasons, though no detailed explanation was provided, fueling speculation about internal disputes or health concerns, which remain unconfirmed.
The ‘Morayo’ tour, tied to Wizkid’s fifth album released in November 2024, had sold 80% of its 100,000-capacity North American tickets, with $5 million in presales. The album, featuring hits like “Kese,” topped charts in 10 countries, driving demand for the 15-city tour. Wizkid’s team assured fans that European dates in France and Germany, starting July 2025, remain unaffected, with 30,000 tickets sold. The cancellation follows a pattern, as Wizkid postponed 2022 U.S. shows due to similar logistical issues, affecting 10% of his global tour schedule. North America accounts for 25% of his $20 million annual tour revenue, per 2024 industry estimates.
Wizkid’s management is reportedly renegotiating with promoters to reschedule the dates for Q4 2025, with new venues like Madison Square Garden under consideration. The Afrobeats industry, valued at $1 billion globally, faces frequent tour disruptions, with 30% of 2024 African artists’ U.S. shows delayed due to visa issues, per Live Nation data. Wizkid, with 15 million monthly Spotify listeners, plans to compensate fans with a virtual concert in June 2025, reaching 5 million viewers. The lack of clarity on the cancellation reason has frustrated 60% of surveyed fans, but Wizkid’s team emphasizes commitment to delivering a rescheduled, high-quality tour experience.