Wizkid

For other uses, see Whiz Kids.

Wizkid
Wizkid performing at the Desire album launch concert in 2013
Background information
Birth nameAyodeji Ibrahim Balogun
Also known as
Born (1990-07-16) 16 July 1990 (age 34)
Ojuelegba, Lagos, Nigeria
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2001–present[A]
Labels

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid,[6] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[7] Born in the Ojuelegba suburb of Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid is a voice in the emerging Afrobeats movement.[8] His music is a blend of Afrobeats,[9] afropop,[10] R&B,[11] afrobeat,[12] reggae,[12] dancehall,[12] and pop.[12] He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, 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 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".

On 17 September 2014, he released the self-titled second studio album, Ayo, which was supported by six singles, including "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.[13] 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.[14] In October 2020, he released his fourth album, Made in Lagos, which received commercial success and acclaim,[15] reaching number-one on the Billboard World Album Chart.[16] The album includes the single "Essence" featuring Tems, which became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100,[17] 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.[18]

  1. ^ Douglas Markowitz (30 May 2023). "7 Incredible Sets From AfroNation Miami: WizKid, Uncle Waffles, Black Sherif & More". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  2. ^ "Did The Weeknd Jack Wizkid's Name for His New Album 'Starboy'?". OkayAfrica. 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  3. ^ Ademola Olonilua (7 June 2021). "Wizkid changes Instagram name to Big Wiz". The Punch. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  4. ^ Daniel Anazia (2 December 2017). "#MOBOAwards: Wizkid proves he's the 'Baba Nla'". The Guardian Nigeria. Archived from the original on 17 March 2024. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  5. ^ "Wizkid Biography". MTV Base. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 12 November 2013.
  6. ^ "Wizkid honoured by Minnesota governor in U. S." The Sun Nigeria. 8 October 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
  7. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (30 September 2022). "How Nigeria's Wizkid fashioned a new sound that won global appeal". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 22 May 2017. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  8. ^ "Afrobeats pioneer Wizkid on his success: "I want to feed people with the finest music"". NME. 18 July 2023. Archived from the original on 12 December 2023. Retrieved 12 December 2023.
  9. ^ Enos, Morgan (24 March 2022). "For The Record: How Wizkid Elevated Nigeria & Propelled The Ascent Of Afrobeats With His Star-Studded Album 'Made In Lagos'". Grammy.com. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  10. ^ Adegoke, Yomi (4 November 2022). "Afropop star Wizkid on ego, alter egos and elections: 'I make a lot of club records but I feel like a pastor". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2024.
  11. ^ "Wizkid: Spotlight on Africa's record breaking artist". TRT Afrika. 17 February 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d Kareem, Itunu (18 July 2023). "33 Things To Know About Wizkid As He Clocks 33". Guarduan Life. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  13. ^ "10 Greatest Achievements of Wizkid You Should Know About". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 16 July 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Wizkid, Burna Boy Becomes Latest African To Bag The Grammy Awards". 9jainsider.com. 14 March 2021. Archived from the original on 15 March 2021. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  15. ^ Tade, Made (18 October 2024). "Wizkid Release New single with international artist Brent Faiyaz Title "Piece Of My Heart "". Np Media. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
  16. ^ "Wizkid's 'Made in Lagos' hits No. 1 on Billboard world album chart". Punch Newspapers. 24 August 2021. Archived from the original on 28 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
  17. ^ "Wizkid's 'Essence' Enters Hot 100". Billboard. 15 July 2021. Archived from the original on 18 July 2021. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  18. ^ Williams, Kyann-Sian (11 November 2022). "Wizkid – 'More Love, Less Ego' review: Afrobeats' biggest star perfects his universal sound". NME. Archived from the original on 11 November 2022. Retrieved 11 November 2022.


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