Wizkid is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has taken the world by storm with his catchy and infectious Afrobeat music. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and successful African artists of all time, with numerous awards, accolades, and collaborations to his name. In this blog post, we will explore his life story, his musical journey, and his achievements.

Wizkid Profile

Full name: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun

Born: July 16, 1990, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

Nationality: Nigerian

Category: Nigerian Singer

Other names: Starboy • Machala • Big Wiz • Big W

Education: Lead City University • Lagos State University

Occupation: Singer • songwriter

Years active: 2001–present

Agent: Mr. Sunday

Title: C.E.O. of Starboy Entertainment

Spouse(s): Not Married

Parent(s): Ibrahim Balogun (father) • Jane Dolapo Balogun (mother)

Children: Boluwatife Balogun • Ayodeji Balogun • Zion Balogun

Origin: Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria

Genres: Afrobeats • reggae • dancehall • RB • hip hop • pop

Net Worth: $35,000,000

Labels: Starboy Entertainment • R.C.A. (current) • Empire Mates Entertainment (former)

Associated acts: Chris Brown, Drake, Kanye West, Mr Eazi, Rema, Shatta Wale, Tems

Website: https://www.wizkidofficial.com/

Wizkid Early Life and Career Beginnings

Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos. He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings and a father who had three wives. His mother was a Christian, and his father was a Muslim. He started singing in his church choir at the age of 11 and formed a group with his friends called the Glorious Five. They released a collaborative album in 2001, but it did not gain much attention.

Wizkid was passionate about music, but he faced opposition from his family, who wanted him to focus on his education. He attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School and Lagos State University, but he dropped out of both institutions to pursue his music career. He later enrolled at Lead City University, but he also left after two sessions.

Wizkid adopted the stage name Lil Prinz and started recording songs in his friend’s studio. He met Banky W, a Nigerian singer and record label owner, who was impressed by his talent and signed him to his Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) label in 2009. He changed his stage name to Wizkid and began working on his debut album.

Wizkid Rise to Fame and Success

Wizkid released his first single, “Holla at Your Boy,” in 2010, which became a hit and earned him a nomination for the Next Rated award at the 2011 Headies. He followed it up with two more singles, “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull”, which also became popular. 

He released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011, which featured guest appearances from Banky W, Wande Coal, Skales, and D’Prince. The album was a commercial and critical success, and it won him several awards, including Best Album of the Year at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards.

Wizkid became a household name in Nigeria and across Africa, and he started collaborating with other prominent artists, such as R2Bees, Ice Prince, Lynxxx, and Bracket. He also performed at various shows and events, such as the Dynamix All Youth Awards, the SoundCity Music Video Awards, and the MTV Africa Music Awards.

In 2012, Wizkid started his record label, Starboy Entertainment, and signed artists like L.A.X, Maleek Berry, and Legendury Beatz. He also parted ways with E.M.E., citing contractual disputes and creative differences. 

He released his second album, Ayo, in 2014, which featured hits like “Jaiye Jaiye,” “On Top Your Matter,” “Show You the Money,” and “Ojuelegba.” The album also featured international artists like Akon, Tyga, and Wale. The album was well-received by fans and critics and topped the charts in Nigeria and other countries.

Wizkid International Recognition and Breakthrough

Wizkid’s career reached new heights when he collaborated with Drake, a Canadian rapper and singer, on the song “One Dance” in 2016. The song became a global smash, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and breaking several records. 

It also earned Wizkid a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year, making him the first Nigerian artist to be nominated for the prestigious award. Wizkid also signed a multi-album deal with R.C.A. Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music, and became one of the most sought-after artists in the world.

Wizkid released his third album, Sounds from the Other Side, in 2017, which showcased his versatility and fusion of different genres, such as afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, RB, and pop. The album featured collaborations with Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, and Trey Songz. The album received positive reviews from critics and fans and spawned singles like “Come Closer,” “Daddy Yo,” “Sweet Love,” and “Naughty Ride.”

Wizkid continued to expand his fan base and influence, and he was featured on several projects by other artists, such as Beyoncé, Normani, Calvin Harris, Future, and Zara Larsson. He also performed at various festivals and concerts, such as the Coachella, the Global Citizen Festival, and the O2 Arena. He also won several awards, such as the B.E.T. Awards, the MOBO Awards, the MTV Europe Music Awards, and the Billboard Music Awards.

Wizkid Recent Projects and Achievements

Wizkid released his fourth album, Made in Lagos, in 2020, which was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the End SARS protests in Nigeria. The album was a reflection of his roots, his culture, and his experiences, and it featured guest appearances from Burna Boy, Skepta, Damian Marley, H.E.R., and Ella Mai. 

The album was praised for its production, lyrics, and themes, and it became one of the most streamed albums of the year. It also produced the hit 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 by Justin Bieber.

Wizkid’s fifth album, More Love, Less Ego, was released on November 11, 2022, which coincided with his 32nd birthday. The album was a celebration of his love for music, his fans, and his family, and it featured collaborations with Davido, Tiwa Savage, Wande Coal, and Angelique Kidjo. The album was well-received by critics and listeners, and it topped the charts in several countries.

Wizkid has also achieved several milestones and honors in his career, such as being the first African artist to sell out the Royal Albert Hall in London, the first African artist to win a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for “Brown Skin Girl” with Beyoncé, and the first African artist to have three songs certified platinum in the U.K. He has also been named one of the most influential people in the world by Time magazine, one of the 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine, and one of the richest African musicians by Forbes magazine.

Wizkid Networth

According to Wikipedia, Wizkid’s net worth is estimated to be $35,000,000. Wizkid is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has achieved international fame and recognition with his Afrobeat music and collaborations with artists like Drake, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber. 

He has also signed lucrative endorsement deals with brands like Pepsi, Guinness, M.T.N., and Ciroc. He owns several luxury cars and mansions in Nigeria and the U.S. He is one of the most influential and successful African artists of all time.

Conclusion

Wizkid is a starboy in every sense of the word. He is a trailblazer, a trendsetter, and a visionary. He has revolutionized the Afrobeat genre and brought it to the global stage. He has inspired millions of people with his music, his message, and his story. He is a living legend and a national treasure. He is Wizkid, the star boy of Afro beats.