Let me first of all state that I am a Wizkid fan and nothing he said to the ignoramus on Instagram who provoked his wrath can change that. I know Wizkid is getting a little wild but we have to confess, he has been hanging out more than less in places like London and Los Angeles, where people are not exactly known for their good manners. Yet this is not to say that the Star Boy is mannerless. The uproar that followed his broke people comment is undeserved. Wizkid, or Ayo Balogun, was responding to the very rude comments of a troll on his Instagram who told him to go back to school because he said “an hangover”.
Everybody knows some Yoruba people due to the phonetics of our traditional language harbour an h factor. We also know the english language is very difficult to master for people whose ancestors two generations ago probably did not even speak it. It is not our father or mother tongue. Here is how difficult it can get, in English syntax, you are supposed to put an before a word that begins with a vowel. Like an apple, an aeroplane, an Eskimo etc. And simply use a if the word begins with a consonant, eg a pet, a dog, a cat etc.
However in English language there are four exceptions to the rule, When u makes the same sound as the y in you, or o makes the same sound as w in won, then a is used. Also, when eu makes the same sound as y, or when e by itself makes the same sound as y, then likewise use a.
This is where it gets difficult for people who have the H factor. The trickiest case of this proper a vs an usage comes up in case of the letter H.
According to Wiki, ”
One tricky case comes up from time to time: is it “a historic occasion” or “an historic occasion”? Some speakers favor the latter — more British than American, but you’ll find them in both places — using an on longish words (three or more syllables) beginning with H, where the first syllable isn’t accented. They’d say, for instance, “a history textbook” but “an historic event.” (Likewise “a habit” but “an habitual offender,” “a hypothetical question” but “an hypothesis.”) Still, most guides prefer “a” before any H that’s sounded: “a historic occasion,” “a hysterical joke,” “a habitual offender” — but “an honor” and “an hour” because those H’s aren’t sounded.
So the grammar can get a bit confusing. Despite his minor challenges with grammar, Wizkid who, the author has encountered on one occasion is not loud or obnoxious, proud or arrogant. I’m pretty sure I’ve never accounted him under the influence of anything before, but the time I did, he was respectful and humble. So this recent controversy begs the question, why the attack on his celebrity?
First it was J Martins to have an opinion and now P Square, in addition to a lot of other people who just seem to enjoy celebrity bashing. Wizkid loves his fans, you just have to be at one of his shows to come away with that conclusion. Or listen to how much new, fresh, energetic and entertaining music he puts out. His work ethic brings to mind that of the late Tupac Shakur. And 90% of his music is hot, and you will listen to it till you’re tired. Now whilst I can’t say the same about the material P Square and J Martins puts out, I’m not accrediting their remarks to celebrity envy or a desire to score cheap popularity points. I don’t think its the case with these two gentlemen. However they have Wizkid’s phone number, they can reach him. He is their colleague. Is there any need to publicly admonish him? There really isn’t! They should let that young man live and continue making the music, we Nigerians love to dance to. His expiry date will come as will that of P Square, J Martins and other Nigerian celebrities. People get bored over time, and trends change. As for the fans, some step out of line and push the limits of celebrities in order to get a reaction. I’ve seen Annie Idibia nee Macaulay respond. So has Tiwa Savage in the past to rude, out-of-place comments that no true fan should subject a celebrity to, just to invoke a reaction or make a smart ass remark.
I have nothing against Wizkid and I’m sure his core fan base doesn’t either. Let’s not make a mountain out of a mole hill.