Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid,^[3] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in the modern day Afrobeats music scene,^[4] he is regarded as one of the most commercially successful and most influential African recording artists of the 21st Century.^[5][6][7]

He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five (5), a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W‘s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He later rose to the limelight after releasing “Holla at Your Boy“, the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull“.

In September 2014, he released the self-titled second studio album, Ayo. The album was supported by six singles, including the song “Jaiye Jaiye“. Wizkid left E.M.E. after his contract expired. In 2016, Wizkid achieved international recognition following his collaboration with Drake on the hit single “One Dance“, which reached number-one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and topped the charts in 14 additional countries. The song broke multiple records, making Wizkid the first afrobeats artist to appear in the Guinness World Records.^[8] In March 2017, he signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and released his third studio album Sounds from the Other Side, later that year. The album was supported by five singles, including “Come Closer” featuring Drake.

In 2018, he was featured on the song “Checklist” by Normani and Calvin Harris, which reached number-one on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart. The following year, he was featured on Beyoncé‘s project The Lion King: The Gift on the single “Brown Skin Girl“, which also reached number-one on the World Digital Song Sales chart, and won him a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.^[9] In October 2020, he released his fourth album, Made in Lagos, which received commercial success and acclaim,^[10] reaching number-one on the Billboard World Album Chart.^[11] The album includes the single “Essence” featuring Tems, which became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100,^[12] and reached the top ten following a remix released by Justin Bieber. Wizkid’s fifth album More Love, Less Ego was released on 11 November 2022.^[13]

Life and music career

1990–2010: Early life and career beginnings

Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on 16 July 1990, in Surulere, Lagos.^[14] He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian and his father practices Islam.^[1] Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School.^[15][1] He grew up listening to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley.^[16] In a radio interview with Tim Westwood in 2012, he said that “his father has three wives”.^[17] In another interview with Adesope of Factory 78 TV, Wizkid said he formed a group called the Glorious Five with a couple of his church friends.^[18] They managed to release an album prior to disbanding. Wizkid went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006.^[19] He later met OJB Jezreel, a record producer who prevented him from recording for a year.^[18] While visiting OJB’s Point Beat Studios frequently, he watched 2 Face Idibia record songs for his Grass 2 Grace album. He was also present during the recording sessions for Sound Sultan‘s debut album Jagbajantis.^[20][18] He cited Naeto C as one of the people who mentored and coached him when he was 15 years old. Wizkid inked a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. He co-wrote “Omoge You Too Much”, a song from Banky W.’s The W Experience album.^[18][20] He also worked with Naeto C, Ikechukwu and M.I while developing his craft.^[21] In mid-2009, he dropped out of Lagos State University (LASU). He later attended Lead City University, but dropped out after completing two sessions.^[20]

2010–2011: Superstar

Wizkid began recording his debut studio album Superstar in 2009.^[20] He released “Holla at Your Boy” as the album’s lead single on 2 January 2010.^[22] The song was nominated for Best Pop Single, and earned him the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011. In addition to winning the award, he was awarded a 2012 Hyundai Sonata courtesy of the organizers.^[23] Its music video was nominated for Most Gifted Newcomer Video at the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards.^[24]

On 2 April 2010, Wizkid released “Tease Me/Bad Guys” as the album’s second single. It was initially released as a freestyle rap.^[25] “Don’t Dull“, the album’s third single, was released on 6 December 2010.^[26] Superstar was recorded in English and Yoruba. It was released on 12 June 2011 by Empire Mates Entertainment. The album incorporates elements of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall, and reggae. While working on Superstar, Wizkid collaborated with record producers such as E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Masterkraft, Q-Beats and Samklef. The album features guest appearances from Banky W., Skales, D’Prince and Wande Coal. It was initially scheduled for release on 14 February 2011 but was later pushed back.^[27] On 12 June 2011, Wizkid hosted a launch party for the album at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites. The launch party featured performances from Banky W, Skales, 2face Idibia, Samklef, Wande Coal, D’Prince, Olamide, eLDee, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Lynxxx and Seyi Shay.^[28] Superstar garnered Best Album of the Year at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was nominated for Album of the Year at The Headies 2012.^[29]

2012–2014: E.M.E tour, Ayo and other recordings

“Jaiye Jaiye” (2013)

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A 15-second sample of “Jaiye Jaiye“. The song is a fusion of Afrobeat and Afrobeats

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Wizkid toured London in 2012 and performed at the HMV Apollo on 4 June 2012.^[30] He worked with Banky W., Skales, Shaydee and Niyola to record E.M.E’s compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind (2012).^[31] Following the album’s release, E.M.E acts toured the United States. The tour kicked off in July and ended in September 2012. EME acts performed in several cities, including Houston, Dallas, Toronto, Vancouver, New York City, Providence, Calgary, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.^[32][33] On 12 November 2012, Wizkid performed at the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live 02 Academy in Brixton alongside Trey Songz, Tulisa, Kendrick Lamar and Angel.^[34]

Between 2012 and 2014, Wizkid recorded his second studio album Ayo. It features guest appearances from Femi Kuti, Banky W., Seyi Shay, Phyno, Tyga, Akon and Wale. The album’s production was handled by Sarz, Shizzi, Uhuru, Del B, Dokta Frabz, Maleek Berry, Legendury Beatz and Spellz. It was initially titled Chosen.^{[citation needed]} According to MTV Base, the album suffered from a pushed-back release date.^[35] It was reported earlier that the album would feature Don Jazzy, Efya and Olamide.^[36] On 6 September 2014, Wizkid revealed the album’s cover art and track listing. Prior to announcing plans for a second studio album, Wizkid had plans to release a mixtape in April 2013.^[37] In an interview with Ok!Nigeria TV at Disturbing Headquarters in London, he said the mixtape would be released in April. He also said it would feature Wale and Tinie Tempah.^[38] Wizkid later announced that he would be releasing his second studio album on 12 June 2013.^[39] In an interview with HipTV, Banky W revealed the album’s title and commented on the album’s delay. He also gave an estimated time frame for the album’s release.^[40]

On 2 May 2013, Wizkid released the album’s lead single “Jaiye Jaiye“. It features Grammy-nominated Nigerian musician Femi Kuti. Wizkid told Showtime Celebrity he collaborated with Femi Kuti to prevent people from depicting him as an artist whose lyrics revolve around girls, cars, and materialistic things.^[41] On 17 October 2013, he performed at the 2013 edition of Felabration, a yearly concert dedicated to Fela Kuti.^[42] The Del B-produced “On Top Your Matter” was released as the album’s second single on 26 October 2013.^[43] The song’s music video directed and shot in South Africa by Sesan.^[44] On 2 November 2013, Wizkid performed at the Guinness Colorful World of More concert alongside D’banj, Tiwa Savage, P-Square, Davido, Ice Prince, Burna Boy, Olamide and Phyno. The concert took place at the Eko Convention Centre in the Eko Hotels and Suites.^[45] On 23 November 2013, he performed at the Guinness Big Eruption Concert in Accra, Ghana.^[46]

In February 2014, Wizkid became the first Nigerian musician to have over one million followers on Twitter.^[47][48] In July 2014, Wizkid visited The Beat 99.9 FM studio in Lagos and told Toolz he had collaborated with Barbadian singer Rihanna.^[49][50] Wizkid was invited as a special guest for some shows on Tinie Tempah‘s UK tour in 2014.^[51]

2015–2018: Sounds from the Other Side and the international success with “One Dance”

On 5 January 2015, Wizkid released the music video for “Ojuelegba“, a song that highlights the struggles he endured in the early years of his recording career.^[52] The song’s official remix features vocals from Drake and Skepta; it premiered on OVO Sound Radio in July 2015.^[53] Wizkid first announced that he was working on a new album during a visit to London in October 2014. He revealed “African Bad Gyal” as his collaborative single with Chris Brown and said it would be the lead single from his third studio album.^[54] In April 2015, both Wizkid and Chris Brown performed “African Bad Gyal” at Brown’s concert in Durban, South Africa.^[55] Wizkid released “Expensive Shit”, an Afrobeats song built on light guitars, saxophone lines and acoustic percussion in May 2015; the song was reported as being a likely inclusion on the album.^[56] In July 2015, Wizkid announced on Twitter that Angélique Kidjo would be featured on the album.^[57] In September 2015, he said he was dropping his EP and postponing the release of his third studio album. He made this announcement on Instagram shortly after the conclusion of 2Face Idibia‘s Fortified tribute concert.^[58]

On 5 April 2016, Wizkid became Nigeria’s first artist to be listed on Billboards Twitter Last 24 hours chart, following his guest feature on Drake’s Afrobeats-infused “One Dance” single, which charted at number 21.^[59][60] On 12 May 2016, the song reached number-one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a position it kept for 10 non-consecutive weeks.^[61] “One Dance” went on to become an international smash hit, topping charts in 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France and Germany. The single became Wizkid’s first number-one single as a featured artist in these territories.

Wizkid released the promotional single “Like This” on 5 June. The song premiered on Drake’s OVO Sound Radio the same month.^{[citation needed]} It was produced by Amsterdam-based Ghanaian producer DJ Henry X.^[62] Pitchfork writer Sheldon Pearce said the song is a “frolicking, summery jam that revels