[THE MAIN EVENT]

MACRO's Long Live Lagos documents Afrobeat singer Wizkid’s larger-than-life footprint in his homeland. Director Karam Gill speaks on the most eye-opening scenes his cameras captured. Stream the documentary now on HBO Max.

UpRising: What first intrigued you about capturing Wizkid as the focus of Wizkid: Long Live Lagos?

Karam Gill: I've been a fan of Wiz for such a long time. That was the entrance point. But what really drew me to [doing this documentary] was telling a story that discussed [how] the emergence of social media, streaming, and the digital world has introduced people to cultures and things they may never have been exposed to [otherwise]. The music coming out of these places — whether Puerto Rico, Nigeria, India, or wherever — has changed how we appreciate those places and people. You're with Wiz during this tumultuous time. You're also with this superfan who has lived in Lagos his whole life. It's a beautiful story where you get to immerse in Lagos and understand fandom overseas, where these icons represent hope and so much more.

What was the reasoning for following a Wizkid fan?

In early creative conversations with James Lopez at MACRO, he was like, “Have you seen this Depeche Mode documentary from the ’80s?” We were going back and forth on projects that have taken unconventional approaches, like, “How can this be something that illustrates art's ability to reshape the impact of colonization?” 

Was it easy to select a superfan to follow?

We spent time every morning from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. on the phone with tastemakers in Lagos, trying to find the right person to follow.

What did you learn about Wizkid through this filming process?

Wiz is a fascinating human being — somebody who has this crazy pressure [on him], but just wants to be an artist. His intention is so pure. He is a true artist's artist, which is why he has so much respect globally. The way he navigates having an entire country looking at his every move and young kids looking up to him is fascinating. When Leo Messi wins the World Cup, you see photos of him in the streets of Argentina, and there's hundreds of thousands of people crying. It’s the same thing when Wiz walks down the street in Lagos. The military is shooting guns in the air — not to endanger anybody, but because there’s no other way to get through. He’s such an icon, a godlike figure over there. It’s crazy. People's hopes and dreams are in the hands of this person who represents progress and the future. When people watch this film, they're going to be shocked to see this level of fandom. 

What did you learn about Lagos that people wouldn’t understand unless they visited themselves?

Nigeria is a beautiful place full of such generous, amazing human beings. I've been fortunate to travel and shoot films and projects everywhere from India to Thailand to Nigeria. The art and culture coming out of these places is more innovative and moving than some of the stuff that you see in places like L.A. or New York. They just don't get the same platform, coverage, and global influence that exists in certain places. But that's all changing. 

What sets your documentaries apart from others? Is there a quality you take pride in? 

A lot of people just chase access. For me, it's always about having something larger to say. That's why I try to be selective with subjects and subject matter. Most of my films take a substantial amount of time because the subject is a Trojan horse into a larger conversation. The Lil Baby documentary was about the mental entrapment of growing up in places where you don't believe you can be anything. The Tyler, the Creator documentary was about the hypermasculine archetype that's been projected on Black and brown men and how people are reshaping that through art. The 6ix9ine series was about how internet culture allows manufactured celebrity to exist and how that leads to the rise of politicians and social figures that aren't for the betterment of our culture. With all of my films, I try to find how this is bigger than simply just the subject.

What advice would you give to young filmmakers who want to capture their own documentaries?

Tap into past experiences and figure out what [you] really want to say. My parents were both born in Africa. They met in the UK and came to L.A. in the ’80s. Across that journey, there was a ton of racism. My dad still has scars from being jumped by skinheads in London. I've always thought about that, like, “How do you get people who have no regard or respect for your culture to let you have a seat at the table or even acknowledge your existence?” It led me to the answer: great art. Whether that's Michael Jackson or Wizkid — if the art is undeniable and moves you, even the most racist person in the world can look at that as, “Maybe those people that my parents, grandparents, or whoever taught me to hate actually have something to offer to the world.” When you have something to say, people connect with it and it feels far more interesting.

What’s next for you after Wizkid: Long Live Lagos? What are you looking forward to?

I’m focused on growing MGX Creative into the leading creative company for the next generation of storytelling and innovative formats well beyond traditional film and TV. 2025 was our biggest year yet, and we now have nearly 20 full-time team members across our branded, digital, film/TV, and experiential divisions.

On top of the film/TV projects we have on the way, I’m excited about this new era of creative companies redefining how stories are told — especially those working at the intersection of entertainment and advertising by experimenting with new formats built for today’s audiences. It feels like a pivotal moment, and we’re building right in the center of it.

—John Kennedy

• • • • •

Wizkid: Long Live Lagos is now streaming on HBO Max.

________________

[MICRO ANALYSIS]

Why Sinners Is Already a Winner

Ryan Coogler’s instant classic nabbed sevenGolden Globe nominations and dominated cinema discourse this year. Black horror historian Robin R. Means Coleman breaks down what she loved about the period piece. 

• • • • •

Get Out is No. 2 in my top-five list of Black horror films. Sinners is No. 1. I saw it, like, a dozen times in the theater, and I was watching it three or four times a day when it landed on HBO Max.

One of the things that makes Sinners unique is that there's this attention on Black communities and communities of color, even as it's set in 1932 Mississippi. We’ve got Chinese-Americans in the Delta standing up for a cultural moment. They're building something for each other, loving on each other, and enjoying it. There's humor, there's music. And for a moment — as they say at the end of the movie — they are free. Even the vampires have a full, rich history. That's incredible.

Sinners isn't as heart-wrenching as Little Marvin's Them, where the racism and violence Black people have to endure is excruciating. What I think is really important is that you don't have to deal with the specter of the Ku Klux Klan hovering over them as they try to pull this juke joint together. You're almost like, “Oh, right. I forgot about them!” So it's not just presence, but it's also absence. Sinners knocked it out of the park.

—As told to John Kennedy

• • • • •

The 83rd Annual Golden Globes takes place Jan. 11, 2026. In the meantime, get into Coleman’s latest book, The Black Guy Dies First: Black Horror Cinema from Fodder to Oscar, here.

Sinners has returned to IMAX 70mm for an ultra-limited release. Theatres listed here.

________________

[TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT]

My mom used to record me entertaining the family. As young as 5 years old, I’m on video in character doing silly s–t to make my family and friends laugh.

Old habits die hard, and this star’s sense of humor has created one of their generation’s most hysterical talents. Click here to see who it is and read all about their big 2025.

________________

[LET'S LINK]

If I Fight, You Fight: The Oral History of Creed [The Ringer]

• Marissa Bode Is Defying Expectations [Bustle]

• What Is ‘Chicken Alfredo Music’? Breaking Down TikTok’s Viral R&B Debate [Type.Set.Brooklyn]

• The Mystery of Puff’s Daddy [Vibe]

• This Puerto Rican Deaf Performer Will Be Joining Bad Bunny During Super Bowl Halftime Show [Remezcla]

________________

[OUTRO]

Take This Audio Doggie Bag With You

“Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer,” DMX

The late rapper known as Dark Man X probably had no idea his impromptu 2012 Breakfast Clubrendition of a Christmas classicwould go viral every December. But that's been the case for more than a decade, and thankfully, he recorded a studio version of the gruff-voiced jingle about flying reindeer. Reminisce on DMX's most unlikely hit while you get into the holiday spirit.

Listen Now →