LAGOS, Nigeria — Nigerian Afrobeats star Kizz Daniel has disclosed that the d3ath of his mother earlier this year was the reason he stepped away from music for several months, correcting fans who assumed he was busy preparing a new album.
The singer, whose real name is Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe and is also known as Vado D’Great, made the revelation on Friday while responding to a fan on X (formerly Twitter). The user, @VicroyDominion1, had written: “I guess album really made you busy you had to pause for a while.”
Kizz Daniel replied: “I paused for my Mom not an album … Lost her this year, but I gotta keep moving for the rest of the family … sorry I came late this year.”
The candid response clarified the cause of his reduced activity and low public profile in the early part of 2026. Many supporters had speculated that the Afrobeats hitmaker was locked in the studio working on a major project. Instead, the break was driven by personal grief following his mother’s passing.
Fans quickly responded with messages of condolence and support. Several users offered prayers for his late mother and encouraged him to stay strong for his family.
This latest loss adds to a series of personal tragedies the singer has publicly shared over the years. His father di;ed in 2015. In 2021, he lost one of his triplets shortly after their birth. In a 2025 interview, Kizz Daniel also revealed that his wife lost her mother in 2024, experiences that influenced tracks such as “Al-Jannah.”
Despite the challenges, the award-winning artist—best known for chart-topping hits including “Woju,” “Buga,” and “Twe Twe”—has indicated he is focused on moving forward for the sake of his remaining family members. He has begun returning to the music scene, with reports noting the recent release of the single “Owo Oluwa” (featuring Young Jonn, Krizbeatz and Wave Choir) as the lead track from his forthcoming album Radio Gidi, expected in mid-October.
Kizz Daniel’s openness about the personal reasons behind his hiatus has resonated with fans, highlighting the human side of an artist who has consistently delivered high-energy Afrobeats anthems while navigating private hardships.
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