Wizkid
Biography
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos. He grew up in an interfaith household with a Muslim father and a Pentecostal Christian mother, along with twelve female siblings. His father practiced Islam and had three wives. Wizkid began singing at the age of 11 in his church's choir and formed a group called the Glorious Five with some of his church friends, releasing a collaborative album before they disbanded. He used the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), co-founded by Banky W. He gained prominence after releasing "Holla at Your Boy," the lead single from his debut studio album, "Superstar" (2011). The song earned him the Next Rated award at The Headies in 2011. The "Superstar" album was a commercial success, featuring other hit singles like "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull," which established him as a leading artist in Africa.
His second album, "Ayo," was released in 2014 and featured the hit single "Jaiye Jaiye." After his contract with E.M.E expired, Wizkid left the label.
International Recognition and Starboy Entertainment
Wizkid's international breakthrough came in 2016 with his collaboration with Drake on the global hit single "One Dance." The song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and in 14 other countries, earning him a place in the Guinness World Records as the first Afrobeats artist to be featured on a song that reached one billion streams on Spotify. In 2017, he signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and released his third studio album, "Sounds from the Other Side," which featured the single "Come Closer" with Drake.
Wizkid also founded his own record label, Starboy Entertainment. He has signed several artists to the label, including Ghanaian acts R2Bees, Efya, and Mr Eazi.
Major Collaborations and "Made in Lagos"
In 2019, Wizkid was featured on Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl" from "The Lion King: The Gift" soundtrack, which won him a Grammy Award for Best Music Video. His fourth studio album, "Made in Lagos," was released in October 2020 to commercial and critical acclaim. The album features collaborations with artists like Burna Boy, Skepta, H.E.R., and Damian Marley.
The album's single "Essence," featuring Tems, became the first Nigerian song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100. A remix of "Essence" with Justin Bieber was released in 2021, further boosting its international success. "Made in Lagos" received a Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album.
Musical Style and Legacy
Wizkid's music is a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall, reggae, and pop. He has been influenced by artists like King Sunny Adé, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. He is recognized as one of the most influential African artists of his generation, having paved the way for other African artists on the global stage. He is the most awarded artist in the history of The Headies awards and has won numerous other accolades, including BET Awards, Soul Train Awards, and Billboard Awards.
His fifth studio album, "More Love, Less Ego," was released in 2022, and his sixth, "Morayo," was released in November 2024.