Kizz Daniel
Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, better known as Kizz Daniel, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2014 with his debut single, "Woju". He signed a record deal with G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2013, but left the label following a publicized contract dispute and court case. He founded "Flyboy I.N.C" record label in November 2017.
On 3 February 2023, he was announced by Audiomack alongside Snazzy the Optimist, Asake and 1ucid as the top trending and most streamed artistes.
Early life and education
Kizz Daniel was born as Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He hails from Abeokuta North local government area. He attended Abeokuta Grammar School and graduated from Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in 2013, with a degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology. While in university, he decided to pursue music as a career alongside his studies.Career
In May 2015, Kiss Daniel released a third follow up single, "Laye," on his birthday, along with a video two weeks later which was shot in different locations in the eastern part of Africa and was directed by AJE Films. It won Best Video By A New Artiste at the 2015 Nigerian Music Video Awards. In April 2016, Kiss Daniel released the single "Mama" as the fourth and final single off his debut studio album New Era. "Mama" became the most googled song in Nigeria in 2016. It was ranked #2 on 360nobs list of the Biggest Songs of 2016. 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".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. It was inspired by Kiss Daniel's own car accident in January of that year, which he survived. 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. 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". At The Headies 2016, the single received a nomination for Best Pop Single while Young Jonn won Producer of the Year for it. The song also won Hottest Single of the Year at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards. Furthermore, the single received nominations for Viewer's Choice at the 2016 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival, Best Artiste/Duo/Group In African RnB & Soul at the 2016 All Africa Music Awards, and Certified Banger of the Year at the 2017 tooXclusive Awards. On 14 May 2016, Daniel released his first studio album New Era.
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. 2018 was considered a good year for Daniel, as he featured Wizkid on his song "For You" 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. On 25 June 2020, he released his third studio album King of Love.
In 2016, Tawilu Rakim Bannah one of the most follower and fan of the Supperstar KIZZ DANIEL who stay in Sierra Leone, became friends since that year. Bannah has been a close follower and intemate fan of Kizz Daniel for a while till now. Bannah has won an award as the "Top Fan Badge" in eight consequtive months from February 2025-September 2025.
In 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.
For the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Kizz Daniel performed his hit single "Buga" in Qatar, 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.
He acquired a new house and announced it in September 2022. According to his own statements, he always wanted a house on the water for his wife and children which he claims will soon be possible.
On 8 August 2022, Kizz Daniel was arrested in Dar es Salaam by the Tanzanian police force over failure to perform.
On 14 October 2022, he released a song called "Cough " produced by Blaisebeatz and Philkeyz, this is Kizz Daniel's second official release of the year 2022.
Record label dispute and name change
In November 2017, Kizz Daniel announced his split from his record label, G-Worldwide, and created his own label called Flyboy I.N.C. He was sued to court by the former record label but was not found guilty for any of the crimes he was accused of.In May 2018, Kizz 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.
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. In October 2018, Daniel responded to the suit and statement made by his former record label, G-Worldwide, through his own lawyer. In April 2022, Emperor Geezy and Daniel settled their disputes, outside the court in a viral video tagged #Peace&Love.
In February 2023, Kizz Daniel won the Song of the Year award at the Soundcity MVP Awards which were held at the Eko Convention Centre in Lagos with "Buga".
Personal life
On 1 May 2021, he welcomed a set of triplets with his girlfriend, whose identity he keeps private. Kizz later revealed how he lost one of his triplets, just four days after birth as he acquired a two-bedroom penthouse each for his other children.In June 2025, Kizz Daniel announced that he was taking a break from recording new music to focus more on his family.
Discography
Studio albums
- New Era
- No Bad Songz
- King of Love
- ''Maverick''
EPs
- Barnabas
- TZA
- Uncle K: Lemon Chase
Singles
As lead artist
Tours
Headlining
- Kiss Daniel UK Tour
- Kiss Daniel USA Tour
- New Era: Europe Summer Tour
- NBS Concert Tour
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result | Ref |
| 2014 | tooXclusive Awards | Best New Artiste | Himself | ||
| 2015 | The Headies | Next Rated | Himself | ||
| 2015 | African Muzik Magazine Awards | Best Newcomer | Himself | ||
| 2015 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best New Act to Watch | Himself | Won | |
| 2015 | COSON Song Awards | Best Song in Melody | "Woju" | Won | |
| 2015 | COSON Song Awards | Hottest Song on the Street | "Woju" | ||
| 2015 | All Africa Music Awards | Revelation of the Year in Africa | Kiss Daniel for "Woju" | ||
| 2015 | All Africa Music Awards | Most Promising Artist in Africa | Kiss Daniel for "Woju" | Won | |
| 2015 | City People Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Act of the Year | Himself | ||
| 2015 | City People Entertainment Awards | Popular Song of the Year | "Woju" | ||
| 2015 | tooXclusive Awards | Best Street-Hop Track | "Laye" | ||
| 2015 | Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best Video by a New Artiste | "Laye" | Won | |
| 2015 | Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best Highlife Video | "Laye" | ||
| 2015 | Nigerian Music Video Awards | Best Cinematography | Aje Filmworks for "Laye" | ||
| 2016 | MTV Africa Music Awards | Listener's Choice | Himself | ||
| 2016 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Afropop Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | |
| 2016 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Hottest Single of the Year | "Mama" | Won | |
| 2016 | City People Music Awards | Music Artist of the Year | Himself | Won | |
| 2016 | City People Music Awards | Popular Song of the Year | "Laye" | ||
| 2016 | The Headies | Best R&B/Pop Album | New Era | Won | |
| 2016 | The Headies | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | Kiss Daniel for New Era | Won | |
| 2016 | The Headies | Best Pop Single | "Mama" | ||
| 2016 | The Headies | Album of the Year | New Era | Won | |
| 2017 | The Future Awards Africa | Nigeria Prize for Music | Himself | ||
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Album of the Year | New Era | ||
| 2017 | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | Best Afropop Male Artist | Himself | ||
| 2018 | The Headies | Song of the Year | "Yeba" | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Pop Single | "Yeba" | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Best Reggae/Dancehall Single | "Sofa" | Nomitated | |
| 2018 | The Headies | Viewer's Choice | "Yeba" | Nomitated | |
| 2023 | Soundcity MVP Awards Festival | Song of the Year | "Buga" | Won | |
| 2024 | TurnTable Music Awards | No. 1 Song | "Twe Twe " | Won |