Nigerian Superstar: Wizkid

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid is a Nigerian singer.

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid is a Nigerian singer, songwriter that is arguably the biggest superstar right now in African, often dubbed as the “next fela” not just for his style of music but to show the magnitude of the fame it has acquired and will soon acquire.

 

Wizkid was born 16 July 1990 in the capital city of Lagos, in the town of Surulere, from an early age he already knew that his future was in music. He started singing at the age of 11, which he formed a group that went by the name “Glorious Five” with some of his church friends. Before he embraced the name Wizkid he went by the name Lil prinz.

 

According to Wizkid his parents were initially skeptical about his music career and wanted him to go to school, but eventually, he worked hard to gain their trust. Before Wizkid dropped his solo Album in had been in and around the music industry, learning his craft. Wizkid cited that he was mentored and coached by popular rapper “Naeto c” and also worked with OJB Jezereel and M.I.

By 2009 Wizkid signed a major record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment led by Banky W, soon after he started working on his debut Album, Superstar. Just before that he dropped his first single “Holla at your boy” on 2nd January 2010, that song would see him being nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2011, one of Nigeria most prized award ceremony, although he lost that award he won “the next rated” at the same show, this award is given to the best rising talent at the Time and with past winners like Asa, Wande Coal and Omawummi.

 

He finally dropped his first Album “Superstar” in 2009. Widely regarded as one of the best Nigerian album of recent times, it had hits songs like “Don’t dull”, “Wiz party” and “Love my Baby”. The Superstar album won Best Album of The Year at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and at The Headies 2012, it was nominated for the same category.

Ayo was his second Album featuring Superstars like Tyga, Femi Kuti, Seyi Shay, Wale and Phyno. It was released on September 12, 2014, the long-awaited album featured hit singles like “Jaiye Jaiye”, ”Bombay”, “One question”, “show you the Money”.it received mixed views but was mostly accepted and won Album of the Year at both “The Headies” and “Nigeria Entertainment Awards” in 2015.

Part of the second Album “Ayo” was the song “Ojuelegba” that many say took him to the next stage of his career. The visuals of Ojuelegba was released on the 5 January 2105, a song that showed what he went through his earlier days of music and how he overcame his struggles.

 

The song would eventually be the start of his mini partnership with Canadian Superstar Drake, Ojuelegba was remixed by Drake and Nigerian-born British Star Skepta. After which Wizkid was featured on Drake’s one dance making him the first Nigeria artist to emerge on Billboard’s Twitter Last 24 hours Chart. One dance reached number-one on the Billboard HOT 100 and held on to that position for 10 straight weeks. Drake OVO sound Radio premiered Wizkid’s promotional single “like that” on 5 June 2016.

 

His last studio album is Sounds From The Other Side (STFOS), primarily a Caribbean-influenced record but was also included R&B, Afrobeat and House. On the tracklist are songs like African bad gyal, Daddy yo, Come Closer, Sweet Love and Naughty ride. The Album had appearances from established superstars like Drake, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Major Lazer. It also included other artists like Bucie and Efya. It debuted at number 58 and number 107 at the Canadian Album Chart and US Billboard 200 respectively. It was well received by critics.

Wizkid eventually left Empire Mates Entertainment to start his own Label Starboy Entertainment, a move that was reported to have caused troubles with then boss Banky W. under the Starboy label, Wizkid signed the likes of Maleek Berry, Legendary Beatz, L.A.X., Efya, Mr Eazi, and R2Bees.

 

Wizkid’s career it has not been short of accidents on 15 June 2013, he was involved in an accident and had to be hospitalized for what was said to be a minor concussion result from the wreck of his Porshe Panarema. There were reports that he bought another one soon after the crash, Wizkid even said so in one of his featured songs with Kay Switch and Olamide citing “I buy e porshe, I crash e porshe, in another week I get another porshe”.

Quite recently Wizkid was accused by one of his baby mamas, that he has neglected his fatherhood duties and she posted screenshots of their chats on social media, this is not the first time Wizkid have been involved with controversies in his personal life involving fatherhood.

 

At the Age of 21, it was reported that he was a father, which he denied. When the news broke out, it was said that there was no concrete proof that Wizkid was the father and DNA results were pending. In October 2013 Wizkid posted a picture of himself and his 2-year-old son, perhaps confirming the truth of those rumors. It is often said that Wizkid has three children, but there have been no confirmed reports.

Since the beginning of his career, Wizkid has had many shows and tours around the world, but some of the memorable ones include when he sold out Royal Album Hall in London making him one of the few African artists to do that. The concert was held on the 29th of September and had a guest appearance from British act Yxng Bane and Wande Coal.

 

He also became part of an elite team of artists to sell out the o2 arena, the concert that was held on May 26, 2018, featured stars like Tekno, Giggs and Naomi Campbell.

Wizkid has a plethora of awards in his arsenal, most notable ones include, 1 MTV Europe Music Awards, 4 MTV Africa Music Awards, 6 the Headies Awards and 2 channel O Music Video Awards.

 

 

Popnable /Popnable Media