If one is asked about Wizkid or tries to Google him, Essence is the first word that pops out. That tune not only got Nigerians dancing, it eventually became a global anthem and accentuated the singer’s star-studded status across the world.
But who is Wizkid, who became the first Nigerian to sell out the imperious 02 Arena in London, the British capital, and got the world talking?
Wizkid’s Biography
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who goes by the stage name Wizkid, was born on July 16, 1990, in the Surulere area of Lagos State. He was raised in an interfaith and polygamous home. Wizkid enrolled at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Ogun State, where he got his West African Senior School Certificate. He gained admission to the Lagos State University (LASU) in 2009 but dropped out due to his music career. He attempted to go back to school as he went to Lead City University, Ibadan, but abandoned his programme after two sessions.
Although he started singing at 11 and had been a member of a group called the Glorious Five, Wizkid’s music career formally began in 2006 when, while bearing the moniker Lil Prinz, he met the late OJB Jezreel, a music producer, in Lagos. The potential hotshot was, however, not allowed to record immediately, instead, he watched the superstar musicians of the day record songs at OJB’s studio and began learning about the nitty-gritty of the music industry.
Career Breakthrough
The turning point in his career occurred in 2009 when he signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment, a record label co-owned by Bankole Wellington (Banky W) and Tunde Demuren. Wizkid subsequently took part in the creation process at the record label, as he co-wrote some songs with Banky W and also collaborated with and earned a feature in some songs done by established names in the industry as part of his tutoring process.
Wizkid’s breakthrough in the Nigerian music industry came in January 2010 when he released his debut single, Holla at your boy. The song became an instant hit as it dominated the radio airwaves in Nigeria and the video was the cynosure of all eyes on television. Following the release of two more songs in 2010, he then released his debut album entitled: Superstar, in June 2011. The album received acclaim from music critics, and it laid the foundation for what has been over a decade of a glittering career for the Nigerian singer, particularly for the global recognition he has gained.
His success has led to the establishment of a movement in his name called Wizkid FC. He is also the boss of his record label, Starboy Entertainment.
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Style of music
He sings in English, Pidgin and Yoruba. His genre of music is principally dancehall afrobeat(s), spiced with a mixture of hip-hop, R&B and pop.
Wizkid’s Discography
For an artiste that has been active in the industry for about 12 years, Wizkid has quite an extensive discography, one which would make his colleagues envious.
Albums
Wizkid has released four studio albums and one EP (extended play) since he debuted in the industry.
Below is a list of them.
| ALBUM TITLE | YEAR | RECORD LABEL |
| Superstar | 2011 | EME |
| Ayo | 2014 | EME/Starboy |
| Sounds from the other side | 2017 | Starboy/RCA |
| Made in Lagos | 2020 | Starboy/RCA |
| EP TITLE | YEAR | RECORD LABEL |
| Soundman Vol. 1 | 2019 | Starboy |
Songs
To his credit, Wizkid has over 80 songs. A good number of them have gone on to become hit bangers such as Holla at your boy, Pakurumo, Jaiye Jaiye, Come Closer, Ojuelegba and Essence.
Below is a compilation of the singer’s lead songs.
| SONGS | YEAR RELEASED |
| Say My Name | 2011 |
| No Lele | 2011 |
| Scatter The Floor | 2011 |
| Pakuruomo | 2011 |
| Slow Whine | 2011 |
| Love My Baby | 2011 |
| Gidi Girl | 2011 |
| Oluwa Lo Ni | 2011 |
| Don’t Dull | 2011 |
| Tease Me/Bad Guys | 2011 |
| What You Wanna Do | 2011 |
| For Me | 2011 |
| Holla At Your Boy | 2011 |
| Wad Up | 2011 |
| Shout Out | 2011 |
| Wiz Party | 2011 |
| Dance For Me | 2012 |
| Eledumare | 2013 |
| Azonto | 2013 |
| Drop | 2014 |
| Jaiye Jaiye | 2014 |
| Show You The Money | 2014 |
| In My Bed | 2014 |
| Mummy Mi | 2014 |
| Ojuelegba | 2014 |
| Kind Love | 2014 |
| On Top of Your Matter | 2014 |
| In Love | 2014 |
| For You | 2014 |
| Dutty Whine | 2014 |
| Ki Lo Fe | 2014 |
| Omalicha | 2014 |
| Bombay | 2014 |
| One Question | 2014 |
| Celebrate | 2014 |
| Show You The Money | 2014 |
| Murder | 2014 |
| Joy | 2014 |
| Caro | 2014 |
| Final (Baba Nla) | 2015 |
| Medicine | 2017 |
| Sweet Love | 2017 |
| Come Closer | 2017 |
| Naughty Ride | 2017 |
| Manya | 2017 |
| African Bad Gyal | 2017 |
| Daddy Yo | 2017 |
| One For Me | 2017 |
| Picture Perfect | 2017 |
| Nobody | 2017 |
| Sexy | 2017 |
| All For Love | 2017 |
| Dirty Whine | 2017 |
| Gbese | 2017 |
| Expensive Shit | 2017 |
| Ghetto Youth | 2017 |
| Fever | 2018 |
| Soco | 2018 |
| G Love | 2018 |
| Joro | 2019 |
| Jam | 2019 |
| Blow | 2019 |
| Cover Me | 2019 |
| Mine | 2019 |
| Electric | 2019 |
| Ease Your Mind | 2019 |
| Thankful | 2019 |
| Ghetto Love | 2019 |
| Reckless | 2020 |
| Escape | 2020 |
| Ginger | 2020 |
| Longtime | 2020 |
| Might Whine | 2020 |
| Blessed | 2020 |
| Smile | 2020 |
| Piece Of Me | 2020 |
| No Stress | 2020 |
| True Love | 2020 |
| Sweet One | 2020 |
| Essence | 2020 |
| Roma | 2020 |
| Gyrate | 2020 |
| Grace | 2020 |
| Anoti | 2020 |
| Mood | 2020 |
| Steady | 2020 |
| Longtime | 2020 |
Net worth
Wizkid is estimated, by media reports, to be worth between $7-$15 million making him one of the richest Nigerian musicians. He is reported to own a multi-million house in Surulere and another one in Lekki, both in Lagos State. He also reportedly has a house in the US city of Los Angeles.
Big Wiz, as he is popularly known, is also said to own several exotic cars, including a Porsche Panamera, a Porsche Cayenne, a Hyundai Sonata and a Mercedes-Benz Kompressor. Also in his garage are a Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG, a Bentley, a BMW X6 Crossover and a Lamborghini Urus.
As a Starboy, the singer has, at various times, racked up endorsement deals with various companies such as telecommunication companies, sportswear giants, fashion lines, a pan-African bank, a multinational music company and a soft drink manufacturer.
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Grammy Award
The Grammys is the most prestigious music award globally. In 2019, Wizzy won a Grammy Award for the Best Music Video for Brown Skin Girl, a song in which he was featured by the multiple-winning American singer, Beyonce.
At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards held in 2022, he was nominated for the Best Global Music Album for his album, Made in Lagos; and the Best Global Music Performance for his top chart song, Essence. He, however, lost out on both awards.
Children
Wizkid has three children, all boys, who were born to three different women.
His first child is Boluwatife Balogun, who was born in 2011 by Shola Ogudu.
Machala‘s second child is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun Jnr., who was given birth to by Binta Diallo, a video vixen, in 2016.
He scored another “goal” in 2017 when Jada Pollock, his manager, brought forth to the world Zion Balogun.
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