Wizkid’s Biography
Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Surulere, Lagos, on 16 July 1990. He was raised in an interfaith family with twelve female sisters.
His mother is a Pentecostal Christian, whereas his father is an adherent of Islam. Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School.
He was raised on the music of King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. In a 2012 radio interview with Tim Westwood, he stated that his father has three wives.
Music Career
Wizkid stated in an interview with Adesope of Factory 78 TV that he founded the Glorious Five with a few of his church pals.
They were able to release an album before disbanding. Until 2006, Wizkid was known by the stage moniker Lil Prinz. Then, he met record producer OJB Jezreel, who kept him from recording for a year.
During his many visits to OJB’s Point Beat Studios, he observed 2 Face Idibia record songs for his Grass 2 Grace album. He was also there during the recording sessions for the debut album Jagbajantis by Sound Sultan.
When he was 15 years old, Naeto C was one of the individuals that mentored and guided him. In 2009, Wizkid signed a recording contract with Empire Mates Entertainment. The song “Omoge You Too Much” is on the album The W Experience by Banky W.
In 2011, Davido began production on his debut studio album, Omo Baba Olowo. The music on this album is a blend of Afrobeats and hip hop. Davido produced the album alongside Jay Sleek, Maleek Berry, GospelOnDeBeatz, Spellz, Dokta Frabz, Mr. Chidoo, Theory Soundz, and Shizzi. Naeto C, Sina Rambo, B-Red, Kayswitch, Ice Prince, and 2 Face Idibia make cameos on the album Omo Baba Olowo.
It was generally derided by music critics, who criticised both its lyrical content and Davido’s songwriting. The album won Best R&B/Pop Album at the 2013 Headies and was nominated for Album of the Year. During the 2013 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, it was also nominated for Best Album of the Year.
“Back Then,” featuring Naeto C, was released as the album’s debut single on May 7, 2011. Davido produced the song, which garnered extensive exposure. Davido informed the television station Factory 78 that “Back Then” was filmed in London. The music video for “Back Then,” directed by Clarence Peters, was published to YouTube on May 9, 2011.
Genre
Afrobeats
Location
Nigeria
Socials
In 2009, Wizkid started recording his debut studio album, “Superstar.” On January 2, 2010, he released “Holla at Your Boy” as the album’s lead single. The song was nominated for Best Pop Single and won him the Next Rated award at the 2011 Headies. In addition to receiving the honour, the organisers presented him with a 2012 Hyundai Sonata. It was nominated for Most Talented Newcomer Video at the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards for its music video.
Wizkid released “Tease Me/Bad Guys” as the album’s second single on April 2, 2010. Initially, it was released as a freestyle rap. The album’s third single, “Don’t Dull,” was released on December 6, 2010. The album was recorded in both English and Yoruba. It was released by Empire Mates Entertainment on June 12, 2011.
The album features Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall, and reggae influences. Wizkid worked with record producers including as E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Masterkraft, Q-Beats, and Samklef on Superstar. Banky W., Skales, D’Prince, and Wande Coal appear as special guests on the album.
Superstar was awarded Album of the Year at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards and Album of the Year at the 2012 Headies.
Wizkid established Starboy Entertainment in March 2013. Wizkid first signed Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz to the label, while Berry became an in-house producer. In August 2013, Wizkid signed L.A.X to Starboy, as its first recording act. In February 2016, DJ Tunez became the in-house disc jockey, and in May 2016, Efya, R2Bees, and Mr Eazi were signed to the label. The label is currently managed by Jada P.
In 2017, Billboard reported that Wizkid signed a multi-album worldwide record deal with RCA Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
Discography
