Wizkid
Musician, Record Producer
Biography
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known professionally as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter who has become one of Africa's biggest musical exports. Born on 1990-07-16, in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria, Wizkid has emerged as a leading voice in the global Afrobeats movement. His music is a unique fusion of Afrobeats, pop, R&B, and reggae, creating a sound that resonates with audiences worldwide. From his early beginnings in church choir to becoming an international superstar, Wizkid's journey has been marked by innovation, collaboration, and cultural impact. He has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Drake, Beyoncé, and Justin Bieber, and has broken numerous records as an African artist on the global stage. Wizkid's music not only entertains but also carries messages of love, unity, and African pride, making him a cultural ambassador for the continent.
Early Life
Born in Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid grew up in a polygamous family as the last of six children. He began recording music at age 11 and was discovered by producer OJB Jezreel.
Career
Wizkid's professional music career began in earnest in 2006 when he decided to pursue music full-time and started collaborating with established Nigerian artists like OJB Jezreel, Naeto C, and Banky W. His big break came in 2009 when he signed with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) under Banky W. In 2011, Wizkid released his debut studio album "Superstar," which included the hit single "Holla at Your Boy" that propelled him to stardom across Africa. The album also spawned other successful singles like "Tease Me/Bad Guys" and "Don't Dull." In 2014, he released his self-titled second album "Ayo," which was supported by six singles including the massively popular "Jaiye Jaiye." This album cemented his status as a leading African artist. Wizkid's international breakthrough came in 2016 with his collaboration on Drake's hit single "One Dance," which reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in 14 countries. This achievement made him the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the Guinness World Records. In 2017, he signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and released "Sounds from the Other Side," featuring collaborations with Drake and other international stars. In 2019, he won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for "Brown Skin Girl," his collaboration with Beyoncé for "The Lion King: The Gift." His 2020 album "Made in Lagos" reached number one on the Billboard World Albums chart and included the hit "Essence" featuring Tems, which became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Wizkid continued his success with "More Love, Less Ego" in 2022 and "Morayo" in 2024, the latter dedicated to his late mother and breaking streaming records for African albums on Spotify. Throughout his career, Wizkid has sold out venues like the O2 Arena multiple times and has become one of the most successful African artists in history.
Personal Life
Wizkid is known for keeping his personal life relatively private despite his massive fame. He has three sons from different relationships and is a devoted father. His first son, Boluwatife Balogun, was born in 2011 to Shola Ogudugu. His second son, Ayodeji Balogun Jr., was born in 2016 to Binta Diallo. His third son, Zion Balogun, was born in 2021 to Jada Pollock, who is also his manager. Wizkid comes from a large family with twelve siblings and has spoken about his polygamous upbringing, mentioning that his father had three wives. Despite his international success, Wizkid maintains strong connections to his Nigerian roots and often speaks about the importance of family and culture in his life. He has been involved in various philanthropic activities, including supporting education and youth empowerment programs in Nigeria. Wizkid is also known for his lavish lifestyle and has been featured in numerous publications for his fashion sense and expensive taste in cars and jewelry. Despite his fame, he remains grounded and often credits his success to hard work and the support of his family and fans.
Fun Facts
He set up his own music company, Starboy Entertainment, in 2012.
His stage name "Wizkid" comes from "wicked child" because he was a troublemaker as a kid.
He has a star on the Nigerian Walk of Fame because of his work in music.
The Nigerian government gave him a high honor called the MFR for his success in show business.
Wizkid started making songs at 11 and put out his first group album with the Glorious Five in 2001.
He went by "Lil Prinz" until he picked the name Wizkid in 2006.
Wizkid is the first African singer in the Guinness World Records for his part in Drake's song "One Dance."
He has won many prizes, including a Grammy, several BET Awards, and Billboard Awards.
Wizkid has worked with famous stars like Drake, Beyoncé, Chris Brown, and Justin Bieber.
His 2020 album "Made in Lagos" hit the top spot on the Billboard World Albums list.
The song "Essence" with Tems was the first Nigerian track to make the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Wizkid has filled every seat at the O2 Arena in London many times, which few African acts do.
People call him "Starboy," "Big Wiz," and "Machala."
People have played his music billions of times online, making him a top African artist.
Millions of fans follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Wizkid wears unique clothes and has appeared in global fashion magazines.
He has sung at big events like Coachella and the BET Awards.
Other famous artists like Drake and Skepta made their own versions of his song "Ojuelegba."
He is a religious Muslim and often puts his beliefs into his songs and life.
Wizkid gives money and help to homes for orphans and schools.
He loves expensive cars and owns several, such as a Rolls Royce and a Bentley.
Wizkid's mother died in 2024, so he named his album "Morayo" to remember her.
He has won over 50 major prizes, more than almost any other African artist.