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Wizkid's biography, musical career and top hit songs

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born July 16, 1990), professionally known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. Here, we look at Wizkid's rise in the music industry.

Image of Nigerian musician Wizkid Ayo

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, AKA Wizkid, is a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter and producer.

Wizkid's early life and education

Wizkid was born in Surulere, Lagos. Wizkid was born on 16 July 1990.

Wizkid grew up in a home with a Muslim father and a Christian mother.

Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School; he listened to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. As an Afrobeat singer, Wizkid has never been shy about his admiration for the Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti.

Did you know?

Wizkid went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006

In an interview with Tim Westwood, a UK Journalist, Wizkid revealed his father married three wives.

According to Wizkid, he started his music career by forming a group, the Glorious Five, with his church friends.

Wizkid's rise to fame

Wizkid was adopted into the Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a Nigerian record label in 2009. Wizkid released his first hit single 'Holla at Your Boy' in 2011.

With the above song, Wizkid won the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011. Wizkid later released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011, which was a national hit album at the time.

Wizkid went ahead to release another hit album, Ayo, in September 2014.

Did you know?

In February 2014, Wizkid became the first-ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter. 

Wizkid's songs and albums

Wizkid has released and recorded 4 studio albums, which are listed below:

Superstar

In 2009, Wizkid started recording his debut studio album, "Super Star." E.M.E. released the Superstar album on June 12, 2011.

E.M.E. was under the management of Banky W and Tunde Demuren at the time.

The superstar album became the second best-selling album on NotJustOK, a music download website.

Wizkid's Superstar album won the Best Album of the Year in the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2012.

Ayo

Ayo, which means Joy in the Yoruba language, was named after Wizkid, following his first name, Ayodeji.

Ayo was released on September 17, 2014, under two record labels, Starboy Entertainment (founded by Wizkid) and Empire Mates Entertainment.

Sounds from the other side (SFTOS)

Wizkid recorded his third studio album, Sounds from the other side (STFOS), and released it on July 14, 2017.

SFTOS was released under three record labels Starboy Entertainment, R.C.A. Records, and Sony Music International.

The album featured foreign artists like Chris Brown, Bucie, Drake, and Ty Dolla Sign. e.t.c

SFTOS was ranked 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and 58 on Canadian Album Charts.

Made in Lagos

Made in Lagos (M.I.L.) is Wizkid's 4th album, released on October 30, 2020, under Starboy Entertainment and R.C.A. Records.

By the end of 2020, M.I.L. was the number 1 album on Native Mag and Vogue's 20 Best Albums of 2020.

Wizkid's record labels

As stated earlier, Wizkid signed up with E.M.E. in 2009.

Wizkid left the E.M.E after his five-year contract ended with the label. On March 5, 2013, Wizkid founded the Star Boy entertainment record label.

Wizkid's Personal Awards

S/N

Award

Company

Year

1

Promising Artist of the Year

Dynamix All Youth Award

2010

2

Best new male artist

City People Entertainment Award

2011

3

Best New Artist of the Year

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

2011

4

Artist of the Year

Dynamix All Youth Awards

2011

5

Best African Act

Music of black origin

2011

6

Best Pop/R$B Artist of the Year

Nigeria Entertainment Awards

2012

7

Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year

The Headies

2012

8

Artist of the Year

The Headies

2012

9

Best International Act Africa

BET Awards

2012

10

Hottest Single of the Year (Ojuelegba)

Nigeria Entertainment Award

2015

11

Video of the Year (Ojuelegba)

African Muzik Magazine Awards

2015

12

Song of the Year (Ojuelegba)

African Muzik Magazine Awards

2015

Wizkid's net worth

Clacified has a more detailed article that covered WIzkid's Net worth. You can read up about Wizkid's net worth and source of income. Use the above link.