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Wizkid Before Fame: The Untold Story of an Afrobeats Star
Wizkid is one of the most successful and influential artists in the African music scene. He has won numerous awards, collaborated with international stars, and amassed a huge fan base across the world. But before he became the Starboy that we know and love, he was just a young boy with a passion for music and a dream to make it big. This is the untold story of Wizkid before fame.
Early Life and Family Background
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun was born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian and his father practices Islam. Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School and later Lagos State University, but dropped out to pursue his music career.
Wizkid’s family was not wealthy but supportive of his musical aspirations. He started singing at the age of 11 in his church’s choir and released an album called “Lil Prinz” in 2001. He also formed a group called the Glorious Five with his friends from church. He was influenced by Nigerian musicians like Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, 2Baba, and foreign artists like Bob Marley, Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, and Usher.
Education and Career Buildup
In 2006, Wizkid met OJB Jezreel, a record producer who became his mentor and taught him how to make beats and record songs. He also met Banky W, a singer and songwriter who signed him to his label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. Wizkid then changed his stage name from Lil Prinz to Wizkid.
Wizkid’s breakthrough came in 2010 when he released his first single “Holla at Your Boy”, which became an instant hit and a youth anthem. The song showcased Wizkid’s unique style of blending Afrobeats with pop and R&B elements. It also earned him the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011.
Wizkid followed up with his debut studio album Superstar in June 2011. The album featured more hit singles like “Tease Me/Bad Guys”, “Don’t Dull”, “Love My Baby”, “Pakurumo”, and “Oluwa Lo Ni”. The album was a commercial success and established Wizkid as one of the leading artists in the Nigerian music scene.
Rise to Fame
Wizkid did not rest on his laurels but continued to release hit singles between 2012 and 2014. Some of these include “Azonto”, “Jaiye Jaiye”, “On Top Your Matter”, “Show You The Money”, “In My Bed”, and “Ojuelegba”. He also collaborated with other African artists like Sarkodie, L.A.X, R2Bees, Wale, Tyga, Akon among others.
In 2015, 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 15 additional countries. The song broke multiple records, making Wizkid the first Nigerian artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. 1
In July 2017, he released his third studio album Sounds from the Other Side, which was his first major international project. The album was supported by six singles, including “Come Closer” featuring Drake, “Daddy Yo”, “Sweet Love”, “African Bad Gyal” featuring Chris Brown, “Naughty Ride” featuring Major Lazer, and “Soco” featuring Terri, Spotless, and Ceeza Milli. The album was well received by critics and fans and featured guest appearances from Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz, Bucie among others.
In October 2020, he released his fourth album Made in Lagos, which received commercial success and acclaim. 2 The album featured collaborations with Burna Boy, Skepta, Damian Marley, H.E.R., Ella Mai among others. The album also spawned the hit singles “Smile”, “No Stress”, “Ginger”, and “Essence” featuring Tems.
Wizkid released his fifth album More Love Less Ego in November 2022. The album was a celebration of his love for music and humanity. The album also had guest appearances from Davido, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Justin Bieber among others. The album was hailed as a masterpiece and a landmark in Afrobeats history.
Conclusion
Wizkid is a living legend and a trailblazer in the African music scene. He has achieved so much in his career and has inspired many young artists to pursue their dreams. He is not only a talented musician but also a philanthropist, a businessman, a cultural ambassador, and a human rights activist. He has three children: Boluwatife Balogun, Ayodeji Balogun Jr., and Zion Balogun. He is also one of the most-followed African artists on social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter.
Wizkid’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and success. He is a testament to the fact that with hard work, dedication, and talent, anything is possible. He is truly an Afrobeats star who has made his mark on the world stage.
References
1: https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/chart-beat/7341211/drake-one-dance-number-one-hot-100 2: https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/international/9481166/wizkid-made-in-lagos-album-stream/