Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known to his millions of fans worldwide as Wizkid, is undeniably one of Nigeria’s most significant music exports. The multiple award-winning artist has not only secured his place as one of Africa’s greatest music icons but also continues to push the boundaries of his artistry. As we celebrate his incredible journey, here are 30 quick facts that shed light on the enigmatic Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun.
30 Quick Facts About Wizkid You Should Know.
- Early Beginnings: Born on July 16, 1990, Wizkid hails from Lagos State, Nigeria. He is the youngest in a family of six and the only son.
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Early Musical Pursuits: He embarked on his musical journey at the tender age of eleven, performing under the stage name Lil Prinz. At 11, he even formed a group known as Glorious Five, which released a 7-track album in a church setting.
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First Album: His first album was with the Glorious 5, and it managed to sell an impressive 10,000 copies.
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Early Recordings: Wizkid had his first recording experience at the age of 11 with OJB Jezreel.
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Mentorship and Guidance: At 15, he was already songwriting and receiving guidance from the likes of Naeto C, which helped shape his musical journey.
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The Transformation to Wizkid: In 2006, he made the transition from his stage name Lil Prinz to the iconic Wizkid.
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Notable Encounters: Before rising to stardom, Wizkid had the privilege of crossing paths with celebrated artists like 2Face Idibia, Naeto C, and Sound Sultan.
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- Breakthrough Moment: He caught the spotlight in 2009 when he featured on rapper M.I Abaga’s track, “Fast Cars.”
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Breakout Single: The track “Holla At Your Boy,” released in 2010, marked his breakout single.
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Fatherhood: In 2011, Wizkid became a father for the first time when his son, Boluwatife, was born. Currently, he’s a proud father of three.
- First Car: In 2011, he acquired his first car, a black Honda Accord i-VTEC.
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Academic Path: That same year, he left Lead City University during his third year, where he was studying “International Relations.”
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Debut Album: His inaugural solo album, titled ‘Superstar,’ was released in 2011 under E.M.E and featured 17 tracks.
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International Breakthrough: In April 2012, Wizkid inked a joint deal with Akon’s Konvict through E.M.E.
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Star Boy Records: He founded his record label, Star Boy, becoming an influential figure in the music industry.
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Favorite Color: The singer’s favorite color is black.
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First International Collaboration: His first international collaboration was with Akon on the “Don’t Dull” remix.
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A Lavish Birthday Celebration: It was reported that he popped a N300 million champagne at his 23rd birthday.
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Hit Track: “Azonto” was recognized as the third non-American song of 2013 according to FeeBuzz.com.
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Grammy Nomination: Wizkid made history as the youngest African artiste to receive a Grammy nomination.
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Royal Albert Hall Success: He became the first African pop star to perform and sell out the Royal Albert Hall in London.
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Award Nominations: Wizkid is the Nigerian artiste with the most award nominations within Nigeria.
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Billboard Nominations: He’s the first African artiste to secure seven Billboard nominations.
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Billboard Awards: Wizkid became the first Nigerian artiste to win three Billboard awards.
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Guinness World Record: Wizkid is the first afro-pop artiste to feature in the Guinness Book of World Records.
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ASCAP Award: Thanks to his collaboration on “One Dance” with Canadian rapper Drake, he became the first Nigerian artiste to win an award from the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
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iTunes World Chart: With “One Dance,” he maintained the number one spot on the iTunes World Chart for more than one week, making him the only Nigerian artiste to achieve this feat.
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YouTube Milestone: His music video for “Come Closer,” featuring Drake, reached a million views on YouTube within 24 hours of release, making him the first African artiste to achieve this milestone. He later broke his own record with “Fever,” featuring Tiwa Savage.
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Recognition in the United States: The governor of Minnesota,
Mark Brandt Dayton, honored Wizkid by naming a day after him in the U.S.
- Fashion Sense: In an interview with Vogue magazine in February 2015, he revealed that he blends streetwear with traditional Nigerian attire and cited Pharrell Williams as one of his fashion style icons.
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These facts capture the incredible journey of Wizkid, a music superstar whose achievements continue to inspire and captivate fans across the globe. His legacy in the world of music is undeniable, and he’s undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
