Wizkid, also known as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Wizzy, Big Wiz and Starboy, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter from Lagos. He works in afrobeat, afrobeats and pop.

Early life and beginnings

Wizkid is born in 1990 and begins recording music at the age of 11. He also forms a group called the Glorious Five with several church friends and releases a collaborative album with them.

Career

He signs a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. He rises to prominence with “Holla at Your Boy”, the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011). Other singles from that album include “Tease Me/Bad Guys”, “Don't Dull”, “Love My Baby”, “Pakurumo” and “Oluwa Lo Ni”.

His second studio album, Ayo, is released in September 2014. It is supported by the singles “Jaiye Jaiye”, “On Top Your Matter”, “One Question”, “Joy”, “Bombay” and “Show You the Money”. After his contract with E.M.E expires, he leaves the label.

Wizkid gains wider international recognition in 2016 through “One Dance”, his collaboration with Drake. The song reaches number one in 15 countries, including the US, the UK, Canada and Australia. In March 2017, he signs a multi-album deal with RCA Records.

His third studio album, Sounds from the Other Side, is released in July 2017 as his major-label debut. It is mainly Caribbean-influenced and includes the singles “Daddy Yo”, “Sweet Love”, “Come Closer” featuring Drake, “African Bad Gyal” and “Naughty Ride”.

In 2018, Wizkid becomes the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the Guinness World Records for his work on “One Dance”. In 2019, he features on Beyoncé’s The Lion King: The Gift on “Brown Skin Girl”, which wins him a Grammy Award for Best Music Video.

His fourth album, Made in Lagos, is released in October 2020 and includes “Essence”, which becomes the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. By February 2021, he is the most-streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify, with over 3.4 billion streams across all credits.

Recognition

Wizkid receives several international music award nominations and awards.