AFRICAN Pop sensation, Wizkid, kicks off his 2012 UK-US Starboy tour in Manchesterthis weekend.  Still basking in the euphoria of his 2012 BET Awards nomination, the 21-year-old is promising to thrill his fans with some fresh new material over the Jubilee holiday weekend.

On Sunday Wizkid performs at The Birdcage in Manchester before travelling South to Londonto rock the HMV Hammersmith the following evening.

According to Wizkid’s UK publicists, Ndeipi PR, the star’s latest tour, will include big venue concerts, select club gigs, road stops, TV and radio performances as well as extended media visits.

Wizkid, was recently signed by superstar Akon, onto Konvikt Records in a lucrative deal for the Nigerian. This comes ahead of the BET awards event next month at the Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, where Wizkid faces the challenge of other African acts in the form of compatriot  Ice Prince,  Sarkodie from Ghana, Camp Mulla (Kenya), Lira (South Africa) and Malian rapper Makobe.

Last year Wizkid shocked and wowed many in equal measure by winning the Best African Act at the 2011 edition of the MOBO Awards. He beat seasoned artistes like Seun Kuti and D’Banj to the international prize.

Click here for tickets to the Wizkid gig. For more information, please visit: http://www.cokobar.com

Words by @makiwahenry