Wizkid Ayodeji
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born July 16, 1990), professionally known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Here, we look at Wizkid's rise in the music industry.
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, AKA Wizkid, is a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter and producer.
Wizkid's early life and education
Wizkid was born in Surulere, Lagos. Wizkid was born on 16 July 1990.
Wizkid grew up in a home with a Muslim father and a Christian mother.
Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School; he listened to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. As an Afrobeat singer, Wizkid has never been shy about his admiration for the Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti.
Did you know?
Wizkid went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006
In an interview with Tim Westwood, a UK Journalist, Wizkid revealed his father married three wives.
According to Wizkid, he started his music career by forming a group, the Glorious Five, with his church friends.
Wizkid's rise to fame
Wizkid was adopted into the Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a Nigerian record label in 2009. Wizkid released his first hit single 'Holla at Your Boy' in 2011.
With the above song, Wizkid won the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011. Wizkid later released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011, which was a national hit album at the time.
Wizkid went ahead to release another hit album, Ayo, in September 2014.
Did you know?
In February 2014, Wizkid became the first-ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.
Wizkid's songs and albums
Wizkid has released and recorded 4 studio albums, which are listed below:
Superstar
In 2009, Wizkid started recording his debut studio album, "Super Star." E.M.E. released the Superstar album on June 12, 2011.
E.M.E. was under the management of Banky W and Tunde Demuren at the time.
The superstar album became the second best-selling album on NotJustOK, a music download website.
Wizkid's Superstar album won the Best Album of the Year in the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2012.
Ayo
Ayo, which means Joy in the Yoruba language, was named after Wizkid, following his first name, Ayodeji.
Ayo was released on September 17, 2014, under two record labels, Starboy Entertainment (founded by Wizkid) and Empire Mates Entertainment.
Sounds from the other side (SFTOS)
Wizkid recorded his third studio album, Sounds from the other side (STFOS), and released it on July 14, 2017.
SFTOS was released under three record labels Starboy Entertainment, R.C.A. Records, and Sony Music International.
The album featured foreign artists like Chris Brown, Bucie, Drake, and Ty Dolla Sign. e.t.c
SFTOS was ranked 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and 58 on Canadian Album Charts.
Made in Lagos
Made in Lagos (M.I.L.) is Wizkid's 4th album, released on October 30, 2020, under Starboy Entertainment and R.C.A. Records.
By the end of 2020, M.I.L. was the number 1 album on Native Mag and Vogue's 20 Best Albums of 2020.
Wizkid's record labels
As stated earlier, Wizkid signed up with E.M.E. in 2009.
Wizkid left the E.M.E after his five-year contract ended with the label. On March 5, 2013, Wizkid founded the Star Boy entertainment record label.
S/N | Award | Company | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Promising Artist of the Year | Dynamix All Youth Award | 2010 |
2 | Best new male artist | City People Entertainment Award | 2011 |
3 | Best New Artist of the Year | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | 2011 |
4 | Artist of the Year | Dynamix All Youth Awards | 2011 |
5 | Best African Act | Music of black origin | 2011 |
6 | Best Pop/R$B Artist of the Year | Nigeria Entertainment Awards | 2012 |
7 | Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year | The Headies | 2012 |
8 | Artist of the Year | The Headies | 2012 |
9 | Best International Act Africa | BET Awards | 2012 |
10 | Hottest Single of the Year (Ojuelegba) | Nigeria Entertainment Award | 2015 |
11 | Video of the Year (Ojuelegba) | African Muzik Magazine Awards | 2015 |
12 | Song of the Year (Ojuelegba) | African Muzik Magazine Awards | 2015 |
Wizkid's net worth
Clacified has a more detailed article that covered WIzkid's Net worth. You can read up about Wizkid's net worth and source of income. Use the above link.