You may have heard of Wizkid, the talented Nigerian singer and songwriter who’s making waves both in Africa and internationally. He’s collaborated with big names like Drake and has become a true superstar in his own right.
Wizkid’s rise to fame has been meteoric. He’s worked with some of the biggest musicians in the world and has managed to cross over into the mainstream music scene. He’s also one of the most famous Nigerians ever, and was the first Nigerian citizen to gain 1 million Twitter followers.
But Wizkid’s success doesn’t stop there. He’s also scored some major endorsement deals with companies like Pepsi and has even announced plans to launch his own clothing line.
Early Life
Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Lagos, Nigeria on July 16th, 1990. Growing up, he had a big family with 12 siblings and was raised by both a Muslim father and a Christian mother.
Music has been a passion for Wizkid since he was young, and he was influenced by greats like Bob Marley and King Sunny Ade. Attending church as a child also played a role in his love for music. In fact, he even formed a music group with some friends from church when he was just a little boy.
Musical Career
Wizkid’s journey into the music industry started when he was just 15 years old. He made valuable connections with established musicians and learned from them. Although he went to university after high school, he later dropped out to focus on his music career. He signed to a record label in Nigeria called Empire Mates Entertainment.
Wizkid’s debut album, Superstar, was released in 2010 to critical acclaim. It earned him many awards within the Nigerian music industry, including the Next Rated Award in 2011 and Best Album of the Year in 2012. After the success of his debut album, he toured London, England, where he had a large fan base. In 2012, he performed to a sold-out crowd at the HMV Apollo.
His next project was Empire Mates Entertainment’s compilation album, Empire Mates State of Mind. Wizkid and other artists featured on the album toured the United States and Canada to promote its release.
In 2014, Wizkid released his second album, Ayo, which featured a wide range of tracks with well-known musicians like Tyga. He soon collaborated with prominent hip-hop artists like Drake on the remix of his single “Ojuelegba,” which later became an international hit, reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Top 100. He also collaborated with Chris Brown on the hit single “African Bad Gyal.”
Wizkid’s third album, Sounds from the Other Side, was released in 2017. It included his collaborations with Drake and Chris Brown, as well as new tracks featuring artists like Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz, and Major Lazer. “Come Closer” featuring Drake and “One Dance” were also included in the album.
From a teenage musician in Nigeria to an international superstar, Wizkid has made a name for himself in the music industry through hard work and collaborations with established artists.
Musical Style
Wizkid is all about mixing it up. His music style blends the best of hip-hop with afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and R&B. You could say he’s a musical chameleon, changing things up to create a sound that’s uniquely his own.
But Wizkid’s not just about the music. He’s also got something to say. Unlike some of the more materialistic rappers out there, he’s all about keeping it real. He’s made a point of distancing himself from that kind of vibe in the past, preferring to focus on what really matters in life.
So if you’re looking for a fresh sound that’s got a positive message, give Wizkid a listen. You won’t be disappointed!
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