WIZKID AT 31!

BIG WIZ TURNS 31

 

WHO IS WIZKID, WHY IS HE CELEBRATED?

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun popularly known as Wizkid, Starboy turns 31 today. Wizkid sometimes referred to as Big WIZ, Wizzy is a Nigerian Artiste who has recieved a number of accolades and awards from home and abroad. He began his career at the age of 11 and in 2009, he signed a record deal with E.M.E (Empre Mates Entertainment) owned by Banky W.

Growing up in Lagos, Wizkid made it clear that music had a positive influence on him at a very young age. Listening to people like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade and Bob Marley,Wiz began his career with a couple of friends in church named the "Glorious Five".  They managed to release an album prior to a break-up in the band. WizKid went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006 where he met "OJB Jezreel" before joining E.M.E in 2009.

In 2011, he released his debut album, Superstar with hit-songs like Holla at your boy, Tease me, Pakurumo, Don't Dull amongst others.  In 2014, Wiz released his second studio album titled Ayo meaning "celebration" in south-west traditional language, Yoruba. In this Album Wizkid worked with Grammy-nominated artise, Femi Kuti titled Jaiye Jaiye meaning "Enjoyment".   After leaving E.M.E at the beginning of 2013, Wiz created his own record label named "Starboy Entertainment". 

In 2014, WizKid became the first Nigerian Artiste to have over a million followers in Twitter. That same year, WizKid released Ojuelegba, a song which he refers to as "National Anthem".  The remix of Ojuelegba featured Drake and Skepta in 2015. 

On April 5th 2016, WizKid became Nigeria's first artiste to be number-one on Billboard Hot 100 with Drake's "One Dance" for more than 8 non-consecutive weeks. One Dance became a big,major sound and a smash hit different countries including France, Canada, Germany, U.S.A amongst others. 

in March 2017, he signed a record deal with R.C.A Records and released his third studio album, Sounds From The Other Side. The album includes artistes like Drake, Major Lazer, Ty Dolla Sign, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Efya and Bucie.  It consisted of hit-tracks like Daddy Yo, Come Closer,and Naughty Ride.

In 2018, Wizkid became the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the 2018 Guiness World Records for his contribution to "One Dance". His song "Soco" became his first Afrobeats single to be certified Gold in Canada.

in 2019, Wizkid was featured on Beyonce's "Brown Skin Girl" from Lion King: The Gift soundtrack. This earned him his first Grammy Award. Later that year he also released Ghetto Love which has over 4 billions streams on all music platforms. He also released the EP Soundman vol.1 on December.

In October 2020, WizKid releases his fourth album titled Made In Lagos. The album was delayed due to END SARS protests going on Nationwide. A protest which WizKid supported voicing out the people against the bad governance and police brutality. WizKid once stated in an interview saying "My next Album is going to be one of the best, but not the best". Made In Lagos guest appearances include; H.E.R, Damian ' Jr. Gong' Marley, Burna Boy, Skepta, Tems, Tay Iwar and Starboy Terri. Mainly produced by P2J, Made in Lagos can be classified as the greatest Afro-beat and African Album of all Time.

Wizkid's Awards include:

1. Grammy Award for Best Music Video(Brown Skin Girl)

2. 3 BET Awards

3. 3 Billboard Awards

4. 4 MOBO Awards

5. 11 The Headies Award(The most by a Nigerian Artiste)

6. Guiness World Record(One Dance)

WizKid who hails from Lagos, South-West Nigeria. Born on 16 July 1990, Wizkid grew up in Surulere,Lagos into a multi-relegious family with twelve sisters. His mother is a Christian while his father is a Muslim. Wiz reveals that growing up in an interfaith household has made him realise that "love" is the biggest religion. A Father of three children, Wiz admits that that parenting has made him much more responsible.

A leader and an ambassador to his people, WizKid represents Lagos and Nigeria.

 

Originally of Ijebu-Ode descent, WizKid defines Surulere as his true home which has not just been a habitat but a place of inspiration and motivation. A true made in Lagos individual who has taken the Afro-beat genre to an unexpected height breaking the records of "Fela Kuti"(The Father of Afro-beat). 

WizKid is defined as a man from grass to grace. Despite the difficulties, he rose above all his challenges and turned his stumbling blocks to stepping stones through hardwork, dedication, commitment and prayer. A mentor and a true role model to many young people out there, an Ambassador of the "YOUTH".

 

Join me in celebrating Africa's finest artiste, WIZKID