Wizkid, a outstanding determine within the international Afrobeat scene, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has firmly established his place within the music business. Identified for his chart-topping hits, collaborations with worldwide artists, and noteworthy expertise, he has grow to be a family title. But, past the celebrity and success, there are aspects of Wizkid’s life and profession that present a deeper perception into the artist.
1. He was born into an Interfaith family
Wizkid’s upbringing was a novel mix of influences. Born into an interfaith family, his mom practised Pentecostal Christianity whereas his father adopted Islam. Not so many are conscious of the truth that the Nigerian famous person got here from a really humble starting, inside a family of 12 sisters. Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is the final youngster of his dad and mom.
2. He started singing in a band named the ‘Glorious 5’
Earlier than Wizkid turned a family title within the music business, he launched into his musical journey as a member of an area gospel group referred to as Superb 5 at age 11. Superb 5 was shaped throughout Wizkid’s teenage years, a time when his ardour for music was starting to take form. The group was comprised of Wizkid and 4 of his buddies, all of whom shared a standard curiosity in gospel music.
Wizkid, identified then by his delivery title Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, was an integral a part of the group. His contributions included songwriting and vocals. The group primarily carried out of their native church and at small neighborhood occasions, the place they shortly gained a modest following.
The group’s debut album achieved important success, promoting 10,000 copies in Nigeria.
Earlier than the world knew him as Wizkid, a teenage Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun began his musical foray below the moniker “Lil Prinz,” in Superb 5.
3. He was initially mentored by late iconic producer, OJB Jezreel
Destiny intervened when Wizkid met the legendary file producer OJB Jezreel. This encounter wasn’t nearly mentorship; it uncovered Wizkid to the artistic course of firsthand. Throughout his frequent visits to OJB Jezreel’s Level Beat Studios, Wizkid wasn’t simply hanging round. He had a front-row seat to historical past within the making. He witnessed 2Face Idibia laying down tracks for his iconic album “Grass 2 Grace,” and even obtained a glimpse into the artistic course of behind Sound Sultan’s debut album “Jagbajantis.
4. He gained mass worldwide enchantment at a younger age
Collaborations with worldwide artists like Akon on the remix of “Don’t Boring” have been extra than simply chart-toppers; they have been bridges. These collaborations launched Wizkid’s sound and Afrobeats, on the whole, to a wider viewers. Tracks like “Azonto” garnered recognition past Africa, being featured by FeeBuzz.com as one of many prime non-American songs of 2013.
In 2016, Wizkid’s profession catapulted to new heights when he collaborated with Canadian rapper Drake on the worldwide hit “One Dance.” The music topped the charts worldwide, introducing Wizkid’s sound to a worldwide viewers and ushering in a brand new period for Afrobeat’s worldwide recognition. This collaboration, although commercially profitable, sparked debates amongst some Afrobeat purists who questioned the fusion components inside the music.
Wizkid acquired an ASCAP plaque for his songwriting contribution to “One Dance.” This award acknowledges songwriters whose work achieves important business success.
The observe earned Wizkid a spot within the Guinness E-book of World Information, beforehand reigning as Spotify’s most-streamed music.
5. He dropped out of Faculty
Balancing teachers and a burgeoning music profession proved difficult for Wizkid. Regardless of enrolling at Lead Metropolis College to review Worldwide Relations, his ardour for music took priority. In his third yr, he made the troublesome choice to prioritize his inventive aspirations, placing his research on maintain. This choice, although dangerous, in the end paved the way in which for his musical success.
6. The Royal Albert file breaker
In 2018, Wizkid etched his title in historical past by changing into the primary African pop star to promote out a present on the prestigious Royal Albert Corridor in London. This wasn’t only a live performance; it was a coronation. Promoting out such a historic venue wasn’t only a private achievement; it was a second of satisfaction for Afrobeats and Africa as an entire.
7. He’s additionally had his justifiable share of paternity controversy
In August 2011, Nigerian Leisure At the moment (NET) ignited a media firestorm by reporting that Wizkid, then 21 years previous, had fathered a toddler. The report named Sola Ogudugu, a college pupil on the time, because the mom. NET claimed to have carried out a radical investigation to succeed in this conclusion.
Understandably, the information precipitated a stir. Shut associates of Wizkid remained tight-lipped, citing pending DNA exams. Wizkid himself initially denied the allegations in interviews with NET and different publications. He expressed his want to keep away from “that peculiar state of affairs,” hinting on the complexities surrounding the state of affairs.
For over a yr, the controversy simmered. In December 2012, Wizkid continued to disclaim the experiences in an interview with The Punch. Nonetheless, in October 2013, a photograph on Wizkid’s Instagram account that includes him and his then-two-year-old son, Boluwatife Balogun, silenced the doubts. The image served as an implicit affirmation of the 2011 NET report, drawing a near the year-long paternity controversy.
8. First Nigerian musician to hit 1 million Twitter-follower rely
In February 2014, Wizkid turned the primary ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter. He broke new floor once more in 2017, reaching the three million follower mark on the identical platform. Wizkid’s dominance extends to YouTube as properly, the place he holds the file for the primary Nigerian musician to realize tens of millions of views inside 24 hours of importing a video.
9. His dad impressed his love for style
Wizkid’s affect extends far past music. He’s a trendsetter, identified for his distinctive style sense.
Throughout an interview in 2020, Wizkid solely acknowledged that he was impressed by his dad’s style sense from an early age, simply by seeing him rock trendy regalia. He acknowledged that he at all times admired his father at any time when he was dressed up for sure events.
Typically sporting designer labels and setting traits together with his distinctive type, Wizkid has grow to be a style icon. His skill to seamlessly mix streetwear with excessive style has garnered him a devoted following within the style world. For Wizkid, style is extra than simply garments; it’s a type of self-expression, a method to showcase his persona and creativity past the confines of music.
In a February 2015 interview with Alex Frank for Vogue journal. He confessed to embracing a trendy mix of streetwear and conventional Nigerian apparel, showcasing his appreciation for each aesthetics. Pharrell Williams, a style icon in his personal proper, was credited as a serious affect on Wizkid’s private type.
In August 2018, he launched his very personal clothes line – Starboy. He unveiled a pop-up retailer for his Starboy clothes line within the coronary heart of New York Metropolis.
10. He’s a silent philanthropist
Wizkid isn’t just identified for his catchy tunes and international recognition, but additionally for his philanthropic efforts.
In 2018, Wizkid wasn’t simply performing on the World Citizen Competition, a charity live performance targeted on assuaging international poverty. He was additionally an envoy for the trigger, urging his dwelling state, Lagos, to affix the struggle in opposition to poverty via training. This highlights his dedication to utilizing his platform for social good on a worldwide scale.
Whereas his collaboration with Nike in 2023 to construct colleges in Africa leveraged Nike’s established philanthropic efforts, it wasn’t his first foray into private giving. This initiative demonstrated his dedication to bettering academic alternatives, notably in his dwelling continent.
Most not too long ago, in December 2023, Wizkid donated 100 million Naira to kids in his hometown neighbourhood of Surulere, Lagos, in honour of his late mom. This act of charity showcased his dedication to supporting his neighborhood, particularly the youth.
The singer additionally presently oversees the scholarship of a sure variety of children after pledging to ship them to high school a number of years in the past.
