wizkid biography wikipedia

Who is Nigerian music star Wizkid – and why is he taking over the world?

Lecturer, University of Nigeria

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The global appreciation of West Africa’s Afrobeats music has grown significantly in the last decade. Afrobeats stars are touring the world, racking up record sales, winning awards and collaborating with big-name international artists.

In fact, seven of the nine African artists nominated for a 2022 Grammy Award – one of the world’s most sought after music awards – are West African. Most of these make music driven by Afrobeats sounds.

Afrobeats is a broad, generic term for African contemporary popular music with rhythmic and harmonic influences of West Africa’s highlife and Afrobeat traditions and Euro-American funk and hip-hop.

For the 2022 edition of the Grammy Awards , Nigeria’s Wizkid is nominated twice – for best global music album and best global performance. Wizkid won his first Grammy Award in 2021 for the video of Brown Skin Girl , a track he made with US superstar Beyoncé.

The 31-year-old stands out as a leading Afrobeats artist from Nigeria whose music has already made a huge sway on the charts of many countries. Wizkid boasts over 32 hits, more than 70 music awards, 50 singles and four albums, as well as sold out concert performances across Africa, Europe and America. As a result, he commands a fan base of more than 30 million combined followers on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram .

His songs straddle the rhythmic texture of Nigerian pop that connects with West African diaspora communities across the globe. And when it comes to his career, he set his eyes firmly on America and strategically propelled himself to global fame.

Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on 16 July 1990 in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. He started singing and recording music at the age of 11 in a group called the Glorious Five. He joined Empire Mates Entertainment record label in 2009.

The songwriter, singer and performer worked hard in the early days of his music career in Nigeria’s highly competitive industry. In one of his hit songs, Ojuelegba , he narrates his experience at Mo’Dogg studio in Lagos, where he toiled for a better life. He became famous in Nigeria in 2011 after the release of his debut album titled Superstar . The album opened up many more live performance opportunities.

As a young star who foresaw his music traveling beyond Nigeria, Wizkid seized every opportunity to make connections across the music world. For instance, when US R&B star Chris Brown (also famous for allegations of sexual violence against women) performed in Lagos in 2012, Wizkid was with him on stage and subsequently collaborated with Brown on the song African Bad Gyal .

Unlike some other Nigerian popular musicians, Wizkid understood the power of transnational collaboration and worked hard to align his music within the structure and texture of American hip-hop and R&B. In a 2019 interview , he is quoted as saying he did not make music just to be an African superstar.

In 2016, transnational appreciation of his music grew after his collaboration with Drake , the Canadian singer and rapper. It is a popular opinion among Nigerian music analysts and journalists that Wizkid’s collaboration with Drake marked the genesis of his global appeal.

He has since collaborated with top-notch American stars such as Beyoncé, Akon, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj.

Wizkid’s music career has not been without controversy. Like many of his contemporaries in the industry, he rose to fame amid worries over objectifying images of women in some of his lyrics and music videos. I have argued elsewhere that sexual objectification of women has been a useful strategy for publicity, and serves as a means of enhancing his social status and commercial viability in the Nigerian popular music industry.

Read more: Video vixens and cash: how Nigerian hip hop music objectifies women

Wizkid is particularly accused of emphasising and objectifying female bodies in the songs In My Bed and Expensive Shit . The public outcry against sexist messages in his music culminated in the banning of In My Bed in 2015, by the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation. Despite this, his local and international appeal continued to grow.

Pop’s promised land

Wizkid has won more prestigious local and international music awards than any of his Afrobeats peers. He has more than 100 nominations in different categories of music awards. Some of his big wins include Artist of the Year at the 2021 Apple Music Awards, two BET Awards for Best International Act, three Soul Train Music Awards, an MTV Europe awards for Best African Act, three Billboard Music Awards – and that 2021 Grammy.

For Africa, especially Nigeria, America is the popular culture promised land. To make it in America is to conquer the pop world. And a US Grammy is the most cherished music award. Following the global spread of West African migrants that consume and promote Afrobeats, the music will continue to gain more listeners across the world as more people yearn for new sounds from Africa. Likewise, the demography of its global consumers on Youtube and Spotify grows as top record labels – such as Sony and Universal Music – sign up and promote more Afrobeats artists.

Propelled by the growing spread of Afrobeats, Wizkid has achieved global fame through a strategic set of music goals throughout his career – and has boosted his image by courting controversy and big name collaborators, infusing Western pop with African flavour in the process.

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33 Things To Know About Wizkid As He Clocks 33

Wizkid | Image: Prince Gyasi for GQ

Nigerian entertainer and global star Wizkid celebrated his 33rd birthday a few days ago, and the social media world went agog as expected.

Wizkid, also known as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and global music sensation. Born on July 16, 1990, he gained fame in 2010 with his debut single “Holla at Your Boy” and has since become a prominent figure in the Afrobeat music genre.

Wizkid has collaborated with renowned international artists such as Drake and Beyoncé, and his infectious blend of Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop has captivated audiences worldwide.

He is the first Nigerian artist to win a Grammy Award and has been recognized as a pioneer of the Afrobeats movement. With his energetic stage presence and charismatic performances, Wizkid has amassed a massive fan base, making him a cultural icon and style influencer. Below are 33 things to know about the musician;

1. Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.

2. He was born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria.

3. Wizkid gained fame in 2010 with his debut single “Holla at Your Boy” from his debut studio album, “Superstar.”

4. He is often referred to as “Starboy,” which is the name of his record label and a popular nickname for him.

5. Wizkid started his music career at a young age, releasing his first album with a group called Glorious Five at the age of 11.

6. He gained international recognition with his collaboration on the song “One Dance” by Canadian rapper Drake, which topped the charts worldwide in 2016.

7. Wizkid’s music style is a fusion of Afrobeat, reggae, dancehall, and pop.

8. He has won numerous awards, including multiple BET Awards, MOBO Awards, MTV Africa Music Awards, and The Headies Awards.

9. In 2021, Wizkid became the first Nigerian artist to win a Grammy Award for his contribution to Beyoncé’s album “The Lion King: The Gift” on the song “Brown Skin Girl.”

10. He has collaborated with several international artists, including Drake, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, Future, Major Lazer, and Skepta.

11. Wizkid has released four studio albums: “Superstar” (2011), “Ayo” (2014), “Sounds from the Other Side” (2017), and “Made in Lagos” (2020).

12. His album “Made in Lagos” received critical acclaim and was praised for its fusion of Afrobeats with various international sounds.

13. Wizkid is known for his energetic stage performances and charismatic presence.

14. He has a massive fan base in Nigeria and globally, with fans often called “Wizkid FC” (Wizkid Football Club).

15. Wizkid has a significant influence on Nigerian and African music, and he has been instrumental in promoting Afrobeats globally.

16. He has been recognized as one of the pioneers of the “Afrobeats movement” alongside artists like Burna Boy and Davido.

17. Wizkid has an endorsement deal with the telecommunications company MTN Nigeria and has been associated with various brands like Pepsi and Nike.

18. In 2018, he performed at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, becoming the first Nigerian artist to do so.

19. Wizkid has his clothing line called “Starboy Merch,” featuring a range of apparel and accessories.

20. He has a close relationship with fellow Nigerian musician Tiwa Savage and they have collaborated on several songs.

21. Wizkid has a son named Boluwatife Balogun, who was born in 2010.

22. He has been praised for his philanthropic efforts, including his contributions to education and healthcare in Nigeria.

23. Wizkid has been listed on Forbes’ “Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists” several times.

24. He has a strong presence on social media, with millions of followers on platforms like Instagram and Twitter.

25. Wizkid has been featured on the cover of several international magazines, including Vogue and GQ.

26. He is known for his unique fashion sense and has been recognized as a style icon in Nigeria.

27. Wizkid has had successful tours in various countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several African nations.

28. He has won the Best International Act category at the MOBO Awards multiple times.

29. Wizkid’s song “Ojuelegba” gained significant attention after British rapper Skepta and Canadian rapper Drake remixed it.

30. He has collaborated with Nigerian artists such as Olamide, Banky W, and Wande Coal on several hit songs.

31. Wizkid has a strong presence in the Nigerian music industry as a songwriter and has written songs for other artists.

32. He has received several nominations and awards at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).

33. Wizkid’s influence extends beyond music, as he is a cultural icon representing Nigerian and African talent on the global stage.

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• 33 Things To Know About Wizkid As He Clocks 3

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Wizkid Talks Touring, Fatherhood And World Domination

By Chioma Nnadi

It’s almost showtime at the Tabernacle, the hundred-year-old church-turned-concert-hall in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, where Wizkid is set to perform to a sold-out crowd. Though the 31-year-old Nigerian megastar himself has yet to arrive, preparations are being made for him backstage. Steaming trays of jollof rice are lined up on the bar next to bottles of Hennessy; a fresh batch of performance outfits is being arranged by his stylist Karen Binns, who has flown in from London for the last leg of the American tour. A member of his entourage scurries in wearing head-to-toe tie-dye and schlepping a royal blue Goyard duffle bag, stuffed to the gills. He unpacks it hurriedly, pulling out box-fresh pairs of slip-on shoes – Balenciaga slippers, Gucci mules, Rick Owens ’s much sought-after Birkenstock clogs – like rabbits out of a hat, and lines them up on the floor. Moments later, Wizkid ambles through the door in a cloud of smoke, dressed in the kind of loungewear that would look right at home in Liberace’s mansion: a pyjama set cut from vintage baroque-print silk, Chanel sunnies and furry red Balenciaga slides. Even in the half-light of the green room, it’s impossible to ignore the two gigantic diamond-encrusted Jesus-piece chains that are glistening around his neck or the sizeable diamond hoops tugging at his earlobes.

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“Back home, we dress comfortably, it’s everything for me,” says Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, with an accent that falls somewhere between east London and Lagos. He inspects the rack of clothes with an intensity that suggests he understands the devil is in the detail, and wastes no time in picking out his favourite things: two looks that have been created especially by British menswear designer Bianca Saunders , a pair of slouchy, black, patent-leather trousers that he rules out (“they need to be tighter”) in favour of a beige-pleated pair. “This is it,” he says, buttoning up the matching short-sleeved shirt and serving his best blue steel in the mirror. He douses himself with a mystery fragrance, one he refuses to name, like it’s holy water. One shiny pair of black Martine Rose slip-on loafers later, and he’s ready to go. “It’s funny because now you see all the guys wearing slippers and tight pants,” Binns says, racing after Wizkid as he heads towards the stage door. “The impact he has beyond that, well, it’s just huge.”

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In the past year alone, Wizkid’s sphere of influence has exploded. Released in October 2020, the critically acclaimed Made in Lagos , Wizkid’s fourth studio album, continues to smash one industry record after another, including the one set posthumously by 1970s Afrobeats legend Fela Kuti in the late 1990s. The album’s success – it has been streamed more than one billion times – has been largely buoyed by the colossal triumph of “Essence”, a lilting Afrobeats love song. Originally recorded as a duet with rising Nigerian Alté singer Tems, the track caught the ear of Justin Bieber who jumped on the remix as the song became inescapably popular over summer.

But British music fans have been mesmerised by Wizkid’s sweet melodies for quite some time. It is a testament to his ultra loyal fanbase in the UK, or the Wizkid FC as they are known as a global collective, that the O2 stadium recently sold out all of its 20,000-plus seats for three consecutive tour dates in a matter of minutes. Thanks in no small part to its thriving diaspora communities, London has become a home away from home for Wizkid and a generation of fresh young Nigerian talent – Burna Boy, Davido and Rema, to name a few – that cross-pollinates R&B, dancehall and potent palm wine beats. Now, that proudly African sound is being rapidly exported across the globe in a moment when we need its feel-good music the most.

“London has always been a special place for me,” says Wizkid when we catch-up on the phone a few days later – much like any rock star who’s routinely trailed by hoards of screaming fans, Wizkid can be a hard man to pin down. About to board a plane to the next leg of his tour, he sounds weary but sanguine, his three-year-old son, Zion, babbling in the background. “From the moment I landed, it was love everywhere I went,” he continues. “It’s crazy because the first time I was actually booked for a show in London, I couldn’t get the visa to go. I remember I filmed a video to apologise to my fans – and they went in on me!” A few months later and the fresh-faced singer, then only 21, would play his first international gig at the HMV Hammersmith Apollo. Even grainy YouTube videos of his set prove he had the makings of a star.

To see Wizkid perform is to comprehend his prowess as an entertainer. The atmosphere at his mid-week show in Atlanta is nothing short of ecstatic, somewhere between Sunday service and Saturday-night rave. The moment Wizkid starts performing, all three tiers of the hall are on their feet singing in unison.

By Natty Kasambala

“As soon as he came on to the stage, I just got it,” says Naomi Campbell , self-confessed Afrobeats fanatic and friend of Wizkid, over the phone from her home in London. She is recalling his headline set at Homecoming, a festival co-conceived by British-Nigerian creative Grace Ladoja as a celebration of Lagos’s vibrant cultural scene, which the model attended with grime legend Skepta and actor John Boyega in the summer. “He’s very much loved by the people in Lagos,” continues Campbell. “Whenever I’m there with him, I’m just mesmerised by how much the people on the street love him. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.”

The album Wizkid is currently touring has come to symbolise a sort of post-lockdown euphoria, but it’s easy to forget that Made in Lagos was released when many places in the world were in the throes of a second wave. The musician found himself stranded in London during lockdown. When I ask him about that time, his voice takes on a different tone. “Being away from Nigeria and my family for so long brought me to my darkest point. That’s why I feel this album means the same thing to me as it does to a lot of other people – it really helped me through a tough time,” he says. It was only earlier this year that the singer was finally able to return home and introduce Zion to Boluwatife, his 10-year-old son from a previous relationship, for the first time. “To see the two of them playing together, that almost made me cry. It was a blessing.”

Blessed is without question the adjective Wizkid uses most often to describe his extraordinary path (it’s also – surprise, surprise – the title of the song he sings with Damian Marley on the latest album). Raised by a Muslim father and Christian mother, Wizkid and his seven siblings grew up in Surulere, the bustling middle-class enclave in Lagos. Here, the city’s bright-yellow auto rickshaws, or keke maruwas , are always bumper to bumper in traffic, and street vendors peddle their wares on every corner. “There are no amount of words I can put together to make you understand what Lagos is, to explain the hustle, or the political injustice, the strength of the people or the number of amazing creatives,” he says. “To fully understand it, you have to experience it for yourself. Go to Lekki, go to Ojuelegba [a particularly vibrant area of Wizkid’s neighbourhood], go to the clubs and you’ll see what the music does to the people.”

In fact, “Ojuelegba” was the title of the 2014 hit that put his local-boy-done-good origin story to song and celebrated the place that shaped him (he came to music at the age of 11 as a choir boy and formed a boy band a few years later with friends from church). The tune caught the attention of Drake – on whose “One Dance”, the Afrobeats-inflected anthem heard around the world, Wizkid appeared two years later. “There is a cultural shift happening, where people here are beginning to embrace artists outside of the norm of Western culture,” says longtime friend and sometime collaborator, Virgil Abloh . “For me, he’s a vital representation of a young African creative experiencing success on a global level.”

However Wizkid defines the parameters of “crossing over”, he hasn’t lost sight of where he came from. “I’m unapologetically Nigerian, I’m unapologetically Lagosian, and that’s something I’ve stuck to from the beginning of my career,” he says. “And when I say I’m here for my people, I mean it.” Last October, the musician took to the streets of London to march in solidarity with the thousands protesting Nigeria’s Special Anti-Robbery Squad, or SARS , in Lagos. “For Nigerian youths, don’t let anyone tell you you don’t have a voice,” he says in a viral video clip, his fist raised. “It was very important for me to be direct and vocal because I’ve always been direct and vocal about political injustice in Nigeria,” he explains. “To see that conversation happen and know that we’re one step forward from where we used to be, that’s amazing to me. And there’s no question I’ll keep speaking out loud.”

Not since the late great Fela Kuti has an artist waved the flag for African pride with quite the same fervour. As it turns out, Wizkid grew up within skipping distance from Kuti’s storied Afrika shrine and a tattoo of the home-town hero is etched on his right arm – though he’s wary of any comparisons. Whatever the similarities or differences, Wizkid’s fate as a cultural icon has long been sealed, both at home and abroad. “I know there is a saying that if you make it New York, you can make it anywhere, but shit, that’s a lie. If you can make it in Lagos, you can make it anywhere,” he says, pausing to reflect on the thought. “And I’m living proof.”

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One of Nigeria's biggest R&B crossover acts; he has worked with Drake, Skepta, and Chris Brown in the past.

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Who is Wizkid? Age, Biography and Awards of the Star Musician

Wizkid (born 16 July 1990), whose real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is a Nigerian songwriter and singer and one of the most famous Nigerian artists, who is probably one of the youngest too. The 33-year-old singer is also one of the richest musicians in Nigeria and Africa.

Wizkid started his singing career at the age of 11 and became a force to reckon with in the music scene in no time. To crown his talent and contribution to the music scene, he has been honored with several national and international awards.

Starboy, as he is also called, started his career from scratch and built it to where he is today. Let’s take a tour of his rise to fame and the awards he has won so far. We will also compare him to his co-star Davido to see who is more successful and more liked.

Wizkid’s Biography and Profile Summary

• Full name:  Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
• Nickname:  Wizkid, Starboy, Lil Prinz, Wizzy, Big Wiz, Baba Nla, Daddy Yo, Eleniyan, Machala
• Gender: Male
• Date of birth:  16th July 1990
• Wizkid’s Age: 33 years old
• Ethnicity:  Yoruba
• Nationality:  Nigerian
• Zodiac Sign:  Cancer
• Sexual Orientation:  Heterosexual (straight)
• Religion:  Christian
• Education:  Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State
• Occupation:  Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Businessman
• Marital Status:  Single
• Wizkid’s Children: 3- Zion Ayo-Balogun, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun Jnr., and Boluwatife Balogun
• Wizkid’s Parents: Alhaji Muniru Olatunji Balogun and Mrs. Jane Dolapo Balogun
• Siblings:  12, including Yetunte Awoniyi, Lade Balogun
• Wizkid’s Height in Inches:  5 feet, 4 inches
• Wizkid’s Height in Centimetres: 162.5cm
• Wizkid’s Weight: 65kg
• Wizkid’s Net worth: $30 million
• Famous for:  Holla At Your Boy, Azonto, Essence, Brown Skin Girl, Ojuelegba, Love My Baby, On Top Your Matter
• Wizkid’s Instagram:  wizkidayo
• Twitter:  @wizkidayo
• Facebook:  @Wizkid

How Old is Wizkid?

Wizkid is 33 years old in 2024. Starboy was born into a polygamous family on 16th July 1990. He is from an interfaith family where his father is a Muslim while his mother is a Christian. From his mother, he is the last child and has many sisters. The celebrity was born and raised in Surulere, Lagos State, where he lived with his family. There are conflicting opinions about his state of origin; while some say he is from Ogun State, others say Lagos. The truth about this has not been revealed by the star.

The 33-year-old Afropop king is among the youngest singers who reached their height of fame at a very young age. What many singers can only dream of, Wizkid achieved early in life. His song reflects the environment where he was born and brought up. One of his albums is titled Made in Lagos, which shows how much he cherishes the environment he grew up in.

He Dropped Out of School to Concentrate on His Music Career

The ace musician attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State. For his university education, he first got admission into Lagos State University but dropped out. He later gained admission into Lead City University, Oyo State. However, he dropped out after two academic sessions to pursue his musical career.

It is important to note that Wizkid started singing at 11 in his church choir and continued while still a student. He interrupted his education for his music career. Big Wiz says that he is glad he did so and will be pleased to continue his education in the future because education is essential. He made his choice while still a teenager, which greatly favored him. At such a young age, he has made a name, money, and fame for himself. And he may decide to go back to school or not.

Wizkid Started Singing in His Church Choir

Coming from the kind of home he has, every child has the right to choose the religion they want. Because his mother is a Christian, she took her children to church. Wizzy joined the church choir as a young boy because of his love for music. When he was 11 years old, he formed a group with some of his church friends called Glorious Five, under which he released his first song, a collaborative album.

Wizkid Was Shot into the Spotlight in 2009

Before he finally adopted the stage name Wizkid, he went by other names such as Lil Prinz. When he was using the name Lil Prinz, Wizkid recorded an album with seven tracks. He recorded many other songs but couldn’t break through the music industry. It must have been disappointing, but he never gave up. With determination, Starboy got his big break and became famous.

He came into the limelight in the music industry in 2009. At the time, he collaborated with M.I. Abaga , who was already a big fish in the industry. They produced the award-winning song titled “Fast Money.” This song did not only get many nominations and awards, but it also received massive airplay in Nigeria and internationally. This song brought Wizkid to the spotlight and left the fans wanting more.

Having gained ground in the music scene, Wizkid released his first hit single, “Holla at Your Boy,” in 2010. This song earned him many awards and nominations, and from then, he has continued to be in the spotlight. With this, he released more songs which have contributed to his rise to fame and continual relevance in the industry. Some of the songs that contributed to his fame are “Tease Me/Bad Guys” (2010), “Don’t Dull” (2010), “Brown Skin Girl” (2019), “Holla At Your Boy” (2011), “Azonto” (2013), “Caro” (2014), “Love My Baby” (2011), etc. His albums Superstar, Ayo,  and others all added to his rise to fame.

List of Wizkid’s Songs and Albums

Wizkid has many songs and albums to his name. In less than 13 years in the music industry, he has released four albums, an EP, 33 music videos, 53 singles, including those he featured in, six cameo appearances, and 44 promotional singles. Here’s a list of some of his most famous songs and albums.

Who Has Wizkid Collaborated With?

Ever since his breakthrough in the music scene, Starboy’s music career has been on the rise, and he has been privileged to work with famous artists both locally and internationally. In the Nigerian music industry, Wizkid has collaborated with Naeto C , 2Face Idibia , Banky W , Don Jazzy , Wale, Olamide , Phyno , Femi Kuti , Seyi Shay , and many others. In the international scene, Wizkid has collaborated with artists like Drake, French Montana, Chris Brown, Kranium, Trey Songz, Skepta, Beyonce, and Ty Dolla $ign, among others.

In a more recent international collaboration, Wizkid was featured in Beyoncé’s Brown Skin Girl, which earned him so many national and international awards, including his first Grammy Award. With that song, he expanded his boundaries to include more international fans and partners. With the height he has attained in the music industry, it will be difficult for him to be out of the spotlight anytime soon.

Some of His Most Outstanding Achievements

In about 13 years of active contribution to the music industry, Starboy can boast of many achievements. He started at a young age and has achieved what many musicians like him can only dream of. Here’s a list of some of his notable achievements.

Starboy Has Received Several Awards and Recognition 

Here’s a list of some of the awards he has won so far.

• Best New Male Artist in the 2011 City People Entertainment Awards
• Musician of the Year (Male) in the 2011 City People Entertainment Awards
• HER Award in the 2020 BET Awards
• Best International Africa Act in the 2017 BET Awards
• Best International Act Africa in the 2012 BET Awards
• Most Gifted Duo/Group or Featuring award in the 2014 Channel O Music Video Awards
• Most Gifted Video of the Year award in the 2013 Channel O Music Video Awards
• Artist of the Year in the 2016 Ghana Music Awards
• African Artiste of the Year in the 2012 Ghana Music Awards
• Best African Act in the 2020 MOBO Awards
• Best International Act in the 2017 MOBO Awards
• Viewer’s Choice Awards and Artist of the Year in 2020 The Headies Awards
• Best R&B/Pop Album, Best Collabo, Viewer’s Choice Awards, and the Best Music Video in 2018 The Headies Awards
• Top R&B Collaboration, Top R&B Song, and Top Streaming Song in the 2016 Billboard Music Awards
• Hottest Single of the Year and Male Artist of the Year in the 2015 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
• Hottest Single of the Year in the 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
• Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year and Best Album of the Year in the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards
• Best African Act in the 2021 MTV Europe Music Awards
• Best Worldwide Act in the 2016 MTV Europe Music Awards
• Best Music Video (“Brown Skin Girl”) in the 2021 Grammy Awards
• Musician of the Year in the 2012 Future Awards
• Best Music Video (“Brown Skin Girl”) in the 2021 iHeartRadio Music Awards
• Canadian Single of the Year (“One Dance”) in the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Video Awards
• Digital Artist of the Year in the 2017 SoundCity MVP Awards
• Artist of the Year in the 2011 Dynamix All Youth Awards
• Promising Artiste of the Year in the 2010 Dynamix All Youth Awards
• Best Male Artist, Album of the Year, Best Collaboration, Best Video, and Song of the Year in the 2021 African Entertainment Awards USA
• Song of the Year, Best West African Artiste, Artiste of the Year in the 2017 AFRIMA awards

Who Is More Successful Between  Wizkid and Davido?

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Davidowizkidmedia (@davidowizkidmedia)

In the Nigerian and African music industry, Wizkid and Davido are ranked close to each other in terms of fame, achievements, and likes from fans. In terms of their age, Wizkid is two years older than Davido. Both started singing at a young age, but Wizkid came into the music industry before Davido. They have both contributed immensely to the music industry, and they are famous not only in Nigeria but in Africa and the world at large.

In terms of awards, Wizkid has received more awards than his counterpart Davido. In the 2017 BET award for the Best International Act (African category), both artists were nominated for the award, but Wizkid won the award. However, Davido won several other awards over Wizkid; nevertheless, Wizkid has more Awards. Wizkid has also won the Grammy Award, an edge he has over Davido.

Coming to their fans and how much they are liked, here’s a rundown on their social media followers.

• Wizkid has over 7.2 million Facebook followers, 13.8 million Instagram followers, and 9.1 million followers on Twitter.
• Davido has over 22.6 million Instagram followers, 7.2 million Facebook followers, and 10 million followers on Twitter.

With these statistics, it is clear that Davido has more followers on Instagram and Facebook, thereby making him one of the most followed African artists. While some show their love for the artists by identifying with them on their social media pages, we should know that some others will like to love them anonymously, while others who love them are not on social media.

Both artists are successful in their own rights. Aside from singing, both own record labels and other businesses that add more money to their already fat pockets. They are from different family backgrounds, one rich and the other poor, but they have achieved their present status through their efforts and determination. With this, we can say that Wizkid and Davido are both successful, and it may be difficult to establish who is more successful.

How Much Does Wizkid Charge Per Show?

Wizkid charges between $800K to $1 million per show. This makes him one of the most expensive Nigerian musicians to hire for a public performance. Others that fall in this category include Burna Boy – $1 million, Davido – $500K, Olamide – $500k, Rema – $200k, and Tiwa Savage – $1000K.

Mind you, asides the outright payment of his performance fees, you also have to book flights for Wizkid and his entourage as well as rent hote accommodations for them. You also have to pay daily performance charges running into hundreds of dollars.

Besides His Career, Wizkid Has 3 Children and Is Still Single

Wizkid is indeed the ladies’ man as he has been linked with so many ladies since his music career began. He was first rumored to be involved with Sophie Rammal and then Sola Ogudugu, with whom he has a child. He has also been linked with the following ladies: Tiwa Savage , Tonto Dikeh , Temilaade Opeyemi (Tems), Victoria Kimani, Hudah Monroe, Binta Diamond Diallo, Seyi Shay, Justine Skye, Chidinma Ekile , and Tania Omotayo.

However, the singer has never been engaged and has never been married. He currently has three children, all boys, from three different women. The children are Zion Ayo-Balogun, born in 2017 by Jada Pollock ; Boluwatife Balogun, born in 2011 by Shola Ogudu; and Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun Jnr., born in 2016 by Binta Dallo. He features his sons in his music videos and spends quality time with them.

FAQs about Wizkid 

Who is wizkid.

Wizkid is a popular Nigeria afro-beats musician. He has dropped numerous hit tracks and has won many awards including a Grammy award.

How Tall is Wizkid?

Wizkid is 5 feet 4 inches or 1.63 m tall.The Nigerian musician is shorter than the average height of Nigerian men which is put at 5 feet 7 inches or 170 cm.

What is Wizkid’s Net Worth?

Wizkid’s net worth is $4 million. He acquired this from record sales, streaing revenue, endorsement deals, performance fees etc.

Is Wizkid Married?

Wizkid is not married but he is in a relationship with Jada Pollock, his music manager.

How May Children Does Wizkid Have?

Wizkid has four children, all sons, and they are Boluwatife Balogun (born 2011), Ayodeji (2016), Zion Balogun (2017), and unnamed fourth son (born 2022).

Who are Wizkid’s Baby Mamas?

Wizkid’s baby mama’s are Oluwanisola Ogudu (Boluwatife’s mother), Binta Diallo (Ayodeji’s mother), and Jada Pollock (mom of his 3rd and 4th sons), who is his current partner.

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Wizkid (Nigerian Singer)

Discography, wizkid biography.

Wizkid a Nigerian Singer and songwriter , born as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on 16 July 1990, in Surulere, Lagos. He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings. He is one of the most commercially successful music artistes from Nigeria. He started his music career at a very early age despite opposition from his family.

Who is Wizkid?

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born July 16, 1990) is a Nigerian music superstar who is known professionally as Wizkid or Starboy . He is considered to be one of the top three Afrobeats artists from the African continent due to his influence in growing the music culture over the years up. Formerly known by the stage name, Lil Prince, Wizkid became a national sensation after the release of Holla At Your Boy , the lead single in his chart-topping debut album, Superstar. He is also addressed as Big Wiz or Machala .

He rose to the international limelight in 2016 after he lent his vocals to Drake‘s award-winning song, One Dance , which was a global hit. The singer and songwriter dropped his fourth studio album, Made In Lagos , in October 2020, and since it has been released into the public domain, the project has gone on to win several laurels and set different records. One of the album’s top singles, Essence , became the first Nigerian song to chart on Billboard Hot 100.

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun  is a Nigerian music Megastar. He is known professional as Wizkid or Starboy , or Big Wiz . He came to the limelight after signing to Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009 and releasing his hit single, Holla At Your Boy .

The song which won him millions of fans set the pace for Wizkid to drop commercially successful albums in the past twelve years. His latest album, Made In Lagos , has won him international acclaim as it reached number one on the Billboard World Album Chart.

One of the album’s singles, Essence featuring Tems , has become the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. In addition, it was announced in February 2021 that Wizkid has attained the honor of being the most-streamed Nigerian artist on Spotify, amassing over 3.4 billion streams from all his works.

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun , who became popularized professionally with Wizkid is a 32 years old Nigerian singer, rapper, and songwriter whose present in the Nigerian industry is classified as a blessing.

Wizkid Early Life

Wizkid was born to the family of Mr. Ibrahim Balogun (father) and Mrs. Jane Dolapo Balogun (mother) on the 16th Of July 1990. He was born into an inter-faith household, where his father practiced the Muslim religion while his mother adhered to the Christian faith. His parents christened him Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun .

A native of Ogun State in the South West region of Nigeria, he comes from a large household – as he has twelve siblings, who are all females. He was raised in a polygamous household in the Ojuelegba district of Surulere City in Lagos State. His father is married to three wives.

He spent his formative years in Lagos City, which exposed him to the rich Nigerian music culture and helped foster his passion for the discipline. As a young boy, he attended church regularly with his mother and other siblings and immersed himself in activities relating to the choir unit of his local church.

By the age of eleven, he had co-founded a music group named Glorious Five, and they released an album before disbanding to pursue solo careers. During this period, he went by the stage name, Lil Prinz. His interest in music was fostered by listening to music legends like Fela Anikulapo Kuti , Bob Marley , Lucky Dube , King Sunny Ade .

As he advanced into teenagehood, he began visiting the recording studio of iconic Nigerian producer OJB Jezreel and became acquainted with the older artiste. OJB Jezreel acted as a mentor for Wizkid , advising him to wait till a year before he began recording and that he should use the period to fine-tune his sound. His path also crossed with rapper, Naeto C at the age of fifteen, and the two developed a mentor-mentee relationship. The pivotal moment of Wizkid‘s career occurred when he was discovered by music executive, talent manager, and singer Banky W .

Wizkid was born into a polygamous family on the 16th Of July 1990. He hails from the Yoruba tribe and was named Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun by his parents. His father is a Muslim, while his mom adheres to the Christian faith and attends a Pentecostal church in Nigeria.

He was born and bred in the Ojuelegba district of Surulere. Although born in Lagos State, He is a native of Ogun State. He grew up as the only son among twelve siblings, who are all females. His father, Mr. Balogun, married three wives. Despite being a polygamous family, the Baloguns lived in peace and harmony. And this gave room for Wizkid to pursue his music dreams without having to deal with family issues.

Wizkid‘s foray into music started at the young age of eleven when he formed a music group, Glorious Five , with his friends. These friends were his church members. Together, the group released a collaborative album before disbanding. Wizkid‘s initial stage name was Lil Prinz, and he switched to his present moniker in 2006.

As Wizkid advanced in years, he began meeting some big names in the music industry. He first met an ace music producer, OJB Jezreel , who advised him not to record any music for a year but focus instead on improving his songwriting ability. During this period, he paid a regular visit to OJB Jezreel ‘s studio, which was located in his neighborhood, Ojuelegba . And this gave him the opportunity to watch artists like 2baba and Sound Sultan records songs.

He later came in contact with rapper, Naeto C , who he credits for being one of his mentors in the industry. Success finally fell on Wizkid‘s laps when his path crossed with Banky W , a singer, talent manager, and CEO of E.M.E Records . Banky W was taken to Wizkid immediately and began working with the younger artiste to refine his sound. As a result, Wizkid signed a record deal with E.M.E records in 2009.

Wizkid Education

Wizkid hailed from a financially comfortable family, which afforded him to be educated at top private schools in Surulere for his primary and secondary education.

He gained admission to Lagos State University but dropped out of the school in 2009. He later applied to Lead City University , Ibadan, and was offered admission, and managed to study for two academic sessions before withdrawing from the institution to face music squarely.

The Baloguns spared no expense in giving their son a quality education. Wizkid attended top private schools in Surulere for his primary and secondary school education.

After obtaining his West African School Certificate, he gained admission into Lagos State University . After that, however, he dropped out of the university.

Thereafter, he enrolled at Lead City University , Ibadan, to further his studies. But he left the institution after completing two sessions.

Wizkid Music Career

In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment which was owned and managed by Banky W . He first gave the world a taste of his exceptional songwriting skill when he co-wrote the single, Omoge You Too Much , one of the songs of Banky W‘s album – The W Experience. That same year he began recording his debut album titled Superstar and released the project’s lead single, Holla At Your Boy , on the 2nd Of January 2010. The song was an instant hit, helping to skyrocket his fame in the music space and winning him the coveted Next Rated Artist award at The Headies in 2011.

The album’s second single, Tease Me/Bad Guys, was released into the public domain on the 2nd Of April 2010. While the project’s third single, Don’t Dull, was released as a Christmas jam on the 6th Of December 2010. After two years of recording and compiling the project, Superstar – which is a fusion of Afrobeats, Dancehall, R&B, and Reggae sounds- was finally released on the 12th Of June 2011 at a launch party held at Eko Hotel and Suites. The album racked up numerous nominations, going on to win the Best Album Of The Year at the 2012 Nigerian Entertainment Awards.

After releasing his first flagship project, Wizkid embarked on a tour in London alongside his label mates, Skales , Shaydee , Banky W , and Niyola . He also worked with his label mates to record E.M.E‘s compilation album titled, Empire Mates State Of The Mind, which was released in 2012.

By 2012, Wizkid had begun recording his second studio album, Ayo, which was completed and released in 2014. The album was a commercial success, thanks to the inputs of creative minds like Femi Kuti , Seyi Shay , Phyno , Tyga , Akon , Wale , Sarz , Shizzi , Legendury Beatz , Dokta Frabz , Maleek Berry , and Spellz . Earlier in May 2013, the album’s lead single, Jaiye Jaiye , had been released. The song had Afrobeat legend, Femi Kuti as a featured artist.

While in October 2013, he dropped On Top Your Matter , the album’s second single. The production credits for this single go to Del B. After the expiration of his contract with E.M.E, he left the record label to become an independent artist, founding his own record label.

At the start of the new year (January 2015), Wizkid released the song Ojuelegba , which speaks about the early days of his career and the hurdles he faced on the way to the top. After signing a record deal with RCA Records in March 2017, he dropped his highly anticipated third album, Sounds From The Other Side , in July 2017. The album contained notable works like African Bad Gyal featuring American singer, Chris Brown , Expensive Shit , Daddy Yo featuring Efya , Come Closer featuring Drake , and Sweet Love .

In 2016, Wizkid was guest featured on Drake‘s hit single, One Dance . The song helped him gain greater international exposure as it reached the number one position in Billboard Hot 100 chart, staying there for 10 non-consecutive weeks. The song also topped music charts in fifteen different countries. Due to his involvement with One Dance , he became the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records.

Also, in 2018, leading international singers, Normani and Calvin Harris reached out to Wizkid to collaborate together. And the trio released the single, Checklist that year, which was a huge success. As the song rose to the number-one spot on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. In 2019, he had the honor of being invited to work on Beyoncé‘s album, The Lion King: The Gift. He was featured on the single, Brown Skin Girl alongside SAINt JHN , Blue Ivy Carter , which went on to win the Grammy Award For Best Music Video in 2021.

In October 2021, he released his fourth studio album, Made In Lagos , which was a commercial success internationally, as the album found its way to the number-one position on Billboard World Album Chart. One of the project’s singles, Essence , featuring fellow Nigerian singer, Tems , became the first Nigerian song to appear on Billboard Hot 100. The song also made it to the top ten spots after the remix with Justin Bieber . In February 2021, he was the most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify, garnering over 3.4 billion streams across the songs on his discography.

After he was signed to E.M.E records, Wizkid began working on his debut album, Superstar. The album, which is a mix of Afrobeats, R&B, and Reggae sounds, saw Wizkid work with talented producers such as Masterkraft , Samklef , Shizzi , Jay Sleek , and Q-Beats .

He released the first and lead single of the project in January 2010. The song titled Holla At Your Boy thrust Wizkid into the national limelight and made him the favorite artiste of many young Nigerians. In addition, the song is credited for helping him win the Next Rated Artiste award at The Headies 2011.

Wizkid released the second single of the album, Tease Me/Bad Guys , in April 2020. Like his first work, this song was also a commercial success. And the single was followed by Don’t Dull , which became the club jam and party song during the December Festive season. Superstar was released to critical acclaim on the 12th Of June 2011, and its launch party was held at Eko Hotel and Suites. The album secured a nomination for Album Of The Year at The Headies 2012.

In 2012, Wizkid worked with his label mates, Shaydee , Niyola , Skales , and Banky W , on the collaborative album: Empire Mates State Of The Mind. Upon the album’s release, he and other E.M.E acts toured the United States, performing at over two dozen cities.

After two years of working hard in the studio, he released his sophomore album, Ayo, which also did great numbers commercially. The album’s lead single, Jaiye Jaiye , was released on the 2nd of May, 2013. He featured music icon, Femi Kuti on the song. The second single of the album, On Top Your Matter, was dropped on the 26th Of October 2013. Again, he collaborated with ace producer, Del B on the song.

After the expiration of his five-year contract with E.M.E records , he chose not to renew his contract and left the label. Instead, he decided to set up his own music outfit, which he called Starboy Entertainment. Prior to leaving E.M.E , there had been speculations that Wizkid was having issues with the management due to the terms of agreement of his contract. And this was the reason given for his leaving the E.M.E mansion into his own house in February 2013. On the formation of Starboy Entertainment , he signed recording artists, Legendury Beatz and Maleek Berry to the label.

In January 2015, Wizkid released Ojuelegba , which spoke about his struggles during the early years of his career. After being featured on Drake‘s single, One Dance, he became the first Nigerian artist to be listed on Billboard Twitter’s Last 24 Hours chart. By May, the song had reached the Billboard Hot 100 chart earning Wizkid more accolades. Furthermore, due to his contribution to One Dance, he became the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the 2018 Guinness World Records.

He signed a record deal with the international music label, RCA Records in March 2017. Four months after, he released his third studio album titled Sounds From The Other Side. The album saw Wizkid collaborate with big names like Drake , Chris Brown , Sarz , Spellz , Del B , Major Lazer , Ty Dolla Sign , Efya , and DJ Mustard . Before the album’s release, he had released three hit singles; Daddy Yo, Sweet Love, and Come Closer.

In 2019, he was contacted by American diva, Beyonce and invited to work with her on the album: The Lion King: The Gift. As a result, he lent his vocals to the chart-topping song, Brown Skin Girl. The song helped him win his first Grammy Award for Best Music Video. Also, it earned him nominations at the BET Awards, NACCP Image Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards.

On the 30th Of October 2020, Wizkid released his fourth studio album titled, Made In Lagos. In 2021, Essence, one of the album’s singles, became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has also amassed millions of streams, positioning him for many nominations. Due to the success of Essence, Justin Bieber reached out to Wizkid to work on a remix.

The Legendary Nigerian singer, Wizkid was formerly signed by Banky W to Empire Mate Entertainment (EME) in 2009 and rose to fame with “ Holla At Your Boy ,” a single off his Superstar Album. He left the label EME due to contract differences and started his own record label StarBoy .

Wizkid Personal Life

Wizkid is 31 years old at the moment. Despite being a father of three handsome sons – Boluwatife Balogun, Ayodeji Balogun, and Zion Balogun – he is believed to be single. However, rumor has it that the superstar is in a relationship with Jada Pollock , his manager, and the mother of his third son, Zion Balogun . Also, some blogs have fingered him to be dating Tems . Nevertheless, Wizkid dotes on his children, spending his free time with them whenever he isn’t making music in the studio or on tour.

Wizkid is a very successful artiste, both in terms of financial and music assets. He currently shuffles his time between his residences in Lagos and Accra. Asides from owning a fleet of luxurious cars, he also has choice properties across the world, with diverse business investments.

He is also a music executive as he had flagged off his own music imprint, Starboy Entertainment , in 2013, signing artists such as Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz . Fast-rising singer, Starboy Terri is currently signed to the label.

He is an ambassador of Pepsi , signing his first deal with the multinational in 2012. He has also had brand partnership deals with companies like MTN Nigeria, Guinness Nigeria Plc, and the United Bank Of Africa (UBA).

He is currently being managed by Mr. Sunday Are. And he is also known by other nicknames like Starboy, Machala, Big Wiz, and Big W.

Wizkid is often considered as one of Africa’s top three artists. The others being Burna Boy and Davido . He also has the most substantial fanbase in Nigeria, who identify themselves as Wizkid FC . Wizkid is also known by the nicknames, Starboy or Big Wiz or Big W.

The Lagos-born singer is 32 years old. Although he is yet to be married, he has three sons from different women. His first child, Boluwatife , was born in 2011. He was just 21 years old at the time. He dotes on his children a lot and spends his free time vacationing with them or taking them out to lovely places.

He is currently rumored to be dating his manager, Jada P , who happens to be the mother of his third son, Zion Balogun. He also has another manager named Sunday Are. In addition, he announced the signing of singer, Terri, in 2018.

The singer, who is known for his iconic fashion style, has choice properties across the world. Presently, he spends his time between his houses in Lagos and Ghana.

Wizkid is a father of three;

• Boluwatife Balogun mothered by Oluwanisola Ogudugu
• Ayodeji Balogun mothered by Binta Diallo
• Zion Balogun mothered by Jada Pollock

All three mentioned above are his baby mamas and ex-girlfriends except Jada Pollock. Wizkid has also dated Tonto Dikeh , Tiwa Savage , and Seyi Shay in the past.

Wizkid Net Worth

As one of Africa’s most significant artists and music executives, Wizkid is a very wealthy man. He earns a lot of royalties from his songs and makes money from organizing shows and performing at shows across the world.

Wizkid‘s net worth is estimated to be having a net worth of US$35,000,000.

Wizkid International Recognition

Wizkid ’s official international recognition came in 2016 when Drake collaborated with him on “One Dance,” a chart-topping single in several countries including the United States, for which he is credited to be the writer. He also went ahead to feature Drake in Come Closer .

Wizkid also got a collaboration on Chris Brown’s 2022 album called “Breezy.” A single on the album titled “Call Me Every Day” featured Wizkid on it.

• Made In Lagos (2020)
• Made In Lagos Deluxe (2021)
• Sounds From The Other Side (2017)
• Superstar (2011)
• Empire Mates State of Mind (with EME) (2012)
• Soundman Vol. 1 (2019)
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Who Is WizKid… | Biography, Albums, Awards, Hit Songs

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun known professionally as Wizkid, Big Wiz, Machala , etc is a Nigerian singer and songwriter born on 16th of July, 1990 in Surulere, Lagos Nigeria to a polygamous family. He comes from a multi-devotional family and got exposed to both the Christian and Islamic religion while growing up as a young boy. His mother is a Christian while his father is a practicing Muslim. Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School and Lead City University, although he later dropped out of the latter.

Wizkid currently lives in the United Kingdom with his manager and baby mama, Jada Pollock. He has 3 children from 3 different women. He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group he and a couple of his church friends formed.

Later on, Wizkid moved on to become a studio rat at OJB Jezreel`s Point Beat studio in Surulere, studying the game for five good years and watching Afrobeats legends such as 2Baba, Sound Sultan, Konga etc, do their thing.

“ I hung around the studio for a year and never recorded one song, watching stars record and just learning and waiting for my time. I was about 11, 12 when I met him (OJB Jezreel) and was frequent there until 16 .” – WIZKID

In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s E.M.E. and he was brought out alongside Skales at the 2009 Hip Hop World Awards, with Banky W proclaiming the two young artists as the future.

He later rose to the limelight after releasing Holla At Your Boy , the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar which dropped in 2011. The album also included the singles Tease Me and Don`t Dull, and went on to become one of the most successful debut albums in the history of the Nigerian music space.

With the Superstar album , Wizkid solidified his artistry in 2011, and carted home most of the awards at the year`s Headies including the coveted Next Rated Awards & Album of the year award. Holla at your boy also went on to clinch the single of the year category in style.

In September 2014, he released the self-titled second studio album, AYO . The album was supported by six singles, including the monster hit single; Jaiye Jaiye . Wizkid left E.M.E after the expiration of his contract in 2015. Wizkid departed E.M.E following the release of his second studio album and the expiration of his five-year contract. In a video interview with Capital Xtra in October 2019, Wizkid said he left E.M.E without any money.

In 2014, Wizkid became the first Nigerian musician to have over one million followers on Twitter. Later that year, Wizkid visited The Beat 99.9FM studio in Lagos and told OAP Toolz on the Midday show that he had a song in the works with singer Rihanna.

On 5 January 2015, Wizkid released the music video for Ojuelegba , a song that highlights the struggles he endured in the early years of his recording career. The song’s official remix features vocals from Drake & Skepta and it premiered on OVO SOUND Radio in July 2015. The remix of Ojuelegba went on to become one of the biggest songs in the world in 2015. It was named by Fader Magazine as the 5th biggest song in the world in 2015.

Wizkid first announced that he was working on a new album during a visit to London in October 2014. He revealed “ African Bad Gyal “, a single with Chris Brown and said it would be the lead single from his third studio album, but it was met with criticism. In April 2015, Wizkid and Chris Brown performed “African Bad Gyal” at Brown’s concert in Durban, South Africa.

In April 2016, Wizkid became Nigeria’s first artist to be listed on Billboard`s Twitter Last 24 Hours chart, tasting a glimpse of global success and acclaim following his guest feature on Drake’s Afrobeats-infused One Dance single, which charted at number 21, the song reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it kept for 10 non-consecutive weeks.

“ One Dance ” went on to become an international smash hit, topping the charts in 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France and Germany. The single became Wizkid’s first number-one single as a featured artist in these territories, and made him become the first Afrobeats artist to be featured in the Guinness Book of World Records.

In March 2017, Wizkid signed a multi-album deal with RCA and released his third studio album Sounds From The Other Side (SFTOS) later that year. The album was supported by five singles, including lead single Come Closer featuring Drake. SFTOS debuted at number 107 on the US Billboard 200. It also debuted at number 58 on the Canadian Albums Chart. The album’s release was preceded by three singles: Daddy Yo featuring Efya , Sweet Love , and Come Closer featuring Drake .

In 2019, Wizkid was featured on Beyonce`s single Brown Skin Girl which reached number-one on the World Digital Song Sales chart, earning him two (2) Soul Train Music Awards, a NAACP Image Awards, a BET Awards, and his first Grammy Award, for Best Music Video .

On 6 December 2019, Wizkid’s label Starboy Entertainment released the EP Soundman VOL 1 , featuring Wizkid, Chronixx, Legendury Beatz and other artists.

In October 2020, Big Wiz released his fourth album, Made In Lagos which received global commercial success and acclaim, reaching number-one on the Billboard World Album Chart. Made In Lagos is currently the longest charting Afrobeats album on the billboard charts, having dominated the global album charts for over 52 Weeks and counting.

The album includes the single Essence , featuring Tems which became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten following a Remix that featured Justin Bieber .

Wizkid is currently one of the biggest music exports out of Africa and definitely the biggest Afrobeats artist in the world at the moment. In 2021, Wizkid sold out the O2 on 3 consecutive days, breaking a world record that had previously been set by only 8 artists.

A member of the WIZKID FC, Wizkid`s cult-like fan group @BigMallyy, claims the singer is the first African artiste to break the record. He wrote on Twitter, “ @wizkidayo becomes the first African Artist to Sell Out The O2 Arena in 2 Minutes ”, breaking his first record as the first to sell out the Arena in 12 Minutes.

Written by AfrobeatsMerije. Bisi-Taiwo Chukwumerije is a blood-bound Nigerian writer & Music Executive. Tweet your favourite, random, mind-boggling songs, EPs, LPs, Albums, & music projects to him; @AfrobeatsMerije.

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