Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun born on 16 July 1990 is a Nigerian singer and songwriter best known by his stage name Wizkid. He began recording music when he was 11 years old and has since released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five, a group that he and a couple of his church friends formed in order to perform gospel music. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment, which would become his first major-label (E.M.E). The release of “Holla at Your Boy,” the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), also spawned the singles “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull Your Eyes,” catapulted him into the public eye.
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Profile Summary of Wizkid
| Birth name | Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun |
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| Born | 16 July 1990 Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria |
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| Years active | 2001–present |
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Wizkid Personal Life
Wizkid is the father of three sons by three separate women. In 2011, 2016, and 2017, three children were born. According to a report published in August 2011 by Nigerian Entertainment Today, the musician fathered his first child at the age of 21. After doing a comprehensive investigation, the newspaper came to the conclusion that Wizkid had pregnant Sola Ogudugu, who was then a university student. When the report first surfaced, Wizkid’s close friends and colleagues were unable to verify it because the results of his DNA tests were still pending. Wizkid finally spoke out about the story over a series of interviews. In an interview with the editor of Nigerian Entertainment Today, he stated that he did not have a child. In another interview done in Ogudu-GRA, Lagos, he expressed his apprehension at the prospect of finding himself in such an unusual scenario. During an interview with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo of The Punch in December 2012, Wizkid denied the existence of the baby scandal.
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Wizkid Early Life and Music Career
Wizkid’s real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, and he was born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos. Born into an interfaith family, with twelve female siblings, he developed his religious beliefs early on. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian, and his father is an Islamic believer and practitioner. Wizkid went to Ijebu Ode Grammar School, which is located in Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up listening to the music of King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley, among others.
Wizkid began his singing career at the age of 11 under the stage name Lil Prinz, which he used until 2006. He began by forming the Glorious Five group with several of his church buddies, with whom he recorded an album before disbanding. A few years later, Wizkid came into contact with OJB Jezreel, a singer-songwriter and record producer. While he was at the studio, he had the opportunity to observe superstars such as Naeto C and Tu Face record their albums, which piqued his interest in pursuing a career in the music industry.
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Empire Mates Entertainment
Wizkid sent out a subtle message on Twitter in February 2013 and made some changes to his Twitter profile. In addition, he relocated from the E.M.E. house in Lagos and purchased a residence in the Lekki Phase 1 district of the city. Prior to Wizkid’s subliminal tweets, Banky W reassured followers that nothing was wrong by stating that everything was OK. Also claimed was that internal strife began as early as the E.M.E All Stars concert in 2012, which was the beginning of the band’s disintegration. In addition, it has been stated that money has been at the heart of the debate. Following contract talks, Wizkid and E.M.E reunited on April 30, 2013, according to a report in Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET). When Wizkid’s second studio album was released and his five-year contract with E.M.E. came to an end, he decided to leave the company. In an interview with Capital Xtra in October of this year, Wizkid admitted that he had left E.M.E. with no money in his pocket.
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Starboy Entertainment
In March 2013, Wizkid launched his record company, Starboy Entertainment, under his own name. He disclosed to Yvonne Ekwere of Silverbird Television that he intended to expand the label’s roster by adding more artists. In an interview with Showtime Celebrity, he explained that he had started his own record company in order to provide a platform for up-and-coming artists to display their abilities. Earlier this year, Wizkid announced the signing of Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz to his imprint, Wizkid Records. “Lagos to Soweto” and “The Matter” are among the projects on which he has collaborated with the Berry. Earlier this year, he released photographs of himself with the two musicians. In August 2013, Wizkid released the music video for “Caro” and announced the signing of L.A.X to his record label. Wizkid announced the signings of Efya, R2Bees, and Mr Eazi on May 7, 2016, following his performance at the 17th edition of the Ghana Music Awards. He made the announcement following his performance at the 17th edition of the Ghana Music Awards. Terri was signed by Wizkid to Starboy Entertainment in 2018, and he announced the signing on his Twitter account at the time.
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Wizkid Net Worth
Wizkid Networth is estimated to be 30 Million dollars. Wizkid inked a one-year endorsement deal with Pepsi in 2012, with the deal allegedly worth US$350,000. His co-star, Tiwa Savage, and he traveled to Beirut, Lebanon, for a Pepsi commercial shoot. Premium Times announced on May 28, 2013, that Wizkid had signed a one-year contract with MTN Nigeria, according to the publication. The tabloid also said that Wizkid’s deal with Pepsi has been extended for another two years. Wizkid secured an endorsement contract with Guinness in November 2013, ahead of the Guinness World of More concert, which took place at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos, in December. The Nigerian news outlet Pulse Nigeria announced in June 2015 that Wizkid was leaving MTN and had inked a 128 million agreement with the GLO Group.
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Wizkid Personal Awards
- Promising Artist of the Year, Dynamix All Youths Awards, 2010
- Best New Male Artiste, City People Entertainments Awards, 2011
- Best New Act of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2011
- Artiste of the Year, Dynamix All Youth Awards, 2011
- Best African Art, Music of Black Origin, 2011
- Best Pop/R&B Artist of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Award, 2012
- Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year, The Headies 2012
- Artist of the Year, The Headies, 2012
- Best International Act Africa, BET Awards, 2012
- Musician of the Year, The Future Awards, 2012
- Musician of the Year (Male), Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2013
- African Artist of the Year, Ghana Music Awards, 2013
- Male Artist of the Year, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2015
- African Artist of the Year, Ghana Music Awards, 2016
- African Artist of the Year, African Pride Awards, 2016
- Best West African Artist, Music of Black Origin (MOBO), 2017
- Artiste of the Year, Music of Black Origin (MOBO), 2017
- Best International Artist, Music of Black Origin (MOBO), 2017
Awards For his Songs
- Next Rated, ‘Holla at Your Boy’, The Headies, 2011
- Best Album of the Year ‘Superstar’, Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2012
- Best Group Video of the Year ‘Slow Down’ R2Bees featuring Wizkid, 4syte TV Music Video Awards, 2013
- Most Gifted Video of the Year ‘Azonto’ Channel O Music Video Awards, 2013
- Hottest Single of the Year ‘Pull Over’ Nigeria Entertainment Awards, 2014
- Most Gifted Duo/Group ‘Pull Over’ Kcee featuring Wizkid, Channel O Music Video Awards, 2014
- Best Recording of the Year ‘Ojuelegba’, The Headies 2015
- Best R&B/Pop Album ‘Ayo’ The Headies 2015
- Album of the Year ‘Ayo’ The Headies 2015
- Hottest Single of the Year, ‘Ojuelegba’ Nigeria Entertainment Award, 2015
- Video of the Year ‘Ojuelegba’ African Muzik Magazine Awards, 2015
- Song of the Year, ‘Ojuelegba’ African Muzik Magazine Awards, 2015
- Song of the Year, ‘Come Closer’ African Music Award (AFRIMA), 2017
