Wizkid’s biography, age, music career, networth, albums, endorsements, awards and all you need to know about Wizkid.
Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on the July 16, 1990, popularly known by his stage name Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and song writer who focuses on Afro pop, afrobeat, dance hall and hip hop.
“Wizzy baby” as he is fondly, started music at age 11 where he was known as Lil Prince. He started doing musci with a group name “Glorious five” which includes friends and members of his church.
Wizkid took a step further in his music career when he signed a deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (EME) which had top artistes across the country; Niyola, Skales, Shaydee, Dj Xclusive and so on.
Wizkid rose to fame in 2010 with the release of “Holla at your boy” from his first ever album “Superstar” which was scheduled to be released in 2011.
Wizkid also dropped his second studio album “Ayo” in 2014 with several catchy singles like “Jaiye Jaiye”, “On top your matter”, “Show you the money” and many other hits in the album.
WIZKID BIOGRAPHY (KEY POINTS)
- Full Name:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
- Stage Name:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wizkid
- Date of birth:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â July 16, 1990
- Nationality:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Nigerian
- Ocuupation(s):Â Â Â Â Singer, Songwriter
- Genres:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Afrobeat, Afro pop, Reggae, Danvehall, Hip hop
- Label:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Starboy
- Former label:Â Â Â Â Â Empire Mates Entertainment (EME)
With Wizkid’s rise to fame, he has been featured by several top Nigerian artistes on hit singles like; “Sexy mama” by Iyanya, “Fine lady” by Lynxxx, “Pull Over” by Kcee and so on.
Wizkid also broke into the Ghanaian music scene with the release of the hit song “Azonto” which had gained massive airplays with different dance steps to go along with.
Wizkid also floated his own record label after it was reported that there was a little misunderstanding between him and Banky W. He signed L.A.X into the record label after they recorded the label’s first official single “CARO” together.
It was also reported that he had signed the Ghanaian music duo, R2Bees along with Mr Eazi and Efya.
Mr Eazi later said he is not officially signed to the label, he was just in a mutual agreement with the label.
Wizkid’s Personal life And History
There are still a couple of things you need to know about Wizkid, check them out below:
- Wizkid started music at age 11.
- Wizkid’s name was formerly Lil Prince.
- Wizkid started with a music group called ‘Glorious five” which consist of four of his church members.
- He is born to a muslim father and a pentecostal christian mother.
- He is a father of a cute kid named Boluwatife Balogun.
- Wizkid’s baby mama name is Oluwanishola Ogudugu.
- He has his won record label “Starboy Entertainment”.
- Wizkid dropped out of school twice, “LASU” and “Leadcity” University, to pursue his music career.
- He is the first Nigerian to reach one million followers on twitter.
Wizkid Albums & Songs
Wizkid has three official albums to his profile which are:
1. SUPERSTAR ALBUMÂ
The superstar album is Wizkid’s first official album which was released under the EME record label.
Wizkid first release ‘Holla at your boy” which serves as the lead single in the album and ever since then, his life has change for good.
The “Holla at your boy” single earned the singer his very first award at the Headies “Next Rated”. The music video for the song was also nominated for the most gifted Newcomer video at Channel O music video Awards for 2011.
Other songs on the album are: Say my name, No lele, Scatter the floor, Pakurumo, Slow whine, love my baby, Gidi Girl, Oluwa lo ni, Don’t dull, Tease me /bad guys, “For me” featuring Wande coal, “Wad up” featuring D’prince, Shout out, What you wanna do.
The Superstar album which was given the Album of the year at the Headies 2012, boasts of lots of music producers like: Shizzy, E-Kelly, Masterkraft, Samklef, Q-Beats and others.
2. AYO ALBUM
“Ayo” is the second album by Wizkid with production credits to the likes of Del B, Sarz, Legendury Beatz, Maleek Berry, Dokta Frabz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Spelzz and so on.
The album also features top artistes around the globe.They are Akon, Phyno, Tyga, Sheyi Shay, Banky W, Femi Kuti
Wizkid had released “Jaiye Jaiye” as the album lead single featuring Fem Kuti. The song was just to showcase the versatile aspect of Wizkid’s talent as not to only revolve his lyrics only around girls and material things.
Other songs on the album include: Kind love, Mummy Mi, In My Bed, Celebrate, On top your matter, In Love featuring Seyi Shay, “Bombay” featuring Phyno, One question, “Show me the money (remix)” featuring Tyga, “For You” faturing Akon, Kilofe, Omalicha, “Dutty wine” featuring Banky W.
3. SOUNDS FROM THE OTHER SIDE
“Sounds from the other side (SFOS)” is Wizkid’s third official album which he had described as an extended play (EP).
The album features guest appearances from A list artistes like Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, Ty Dolla Sign, Bucie, Efya and Trey songz with production credits from Sarz, Del B, Spellz, DJ Mustard and the Picard brothers.
Songs in the album includes: “Come closer” featuring Drake, “Naughty Ride” featuring Major Lazer, “African Bad Gyal” featuring Chris Brown, “Daddy Yo” featuring Efya, “All for love” featuring Bucie, “Gbese” featuring Trey song, “One for me” feturing Ty Dolla Sign, “Nobody”, “Sexy”, Picture perfect, “Dirty wine” featuring Ty Dolla Sign.
 Wizkid International Collaborations
Wizkid is also the first Nigerian singer and afro pop artiste to feature in the Guiness books of world records (2018) for his Drake “One dance” song.
The singer also had several collaborations with music stars like Wale, Chris Brown, Major Lazer, Akon and so on.
The recent one was “Everytime” featuring American rapper, Future.
Wizkid Networth & Endorsements
Wizkid signed a one year deal with Pepsi which isaid to worth 350,000 U.S dollars.
Wizkid also signed a one-year deal with MTN in 2013.
Wizkid also signed another deal in 2013 with Guiness for the “Guiness world of more” concert.
Later on in 2015, Wizkid rejected MTN’s offer to sign a N128 million naira deal with GLO.
Wizkid’s networth is said to be a total of $12 million dollars
Wizkid Awards And Nominations
The Starboy boss has received a total of 44 awards from 157 nominations.
Awards to his profile includes: BET Award, Billlboard Music Awards, IheartRadio Music Aards, Headeis Awards, MOBO Awards, Ghana Music Awards, Channel O music Awards and many others.
He has also been nominated at the MTV Europe Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Grammy awards.
He got the Best International Acts Awards at the Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Awards 2017.
Also in 2017, he got the young person of the year award at The Future Awards Africa.