Wizkid
- Name: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
- Birthdate: July 16, 1990
- Birthplace: Surulere, Lagos
- Occupation: Singer and songwriter
Who is Wizkid?
He is a Nigerian singer and songwriter and is regarded as one of the biggest and most influential African artists of all time. Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s record label Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009. He launched his label Starboy Entertainment in 2013.
He has released four studio albums:
- "Superstar" (2011)
- "Ayo" (2014)
- "Sounds from the Other Side" (2017)
- "Made in Lagos" (2020).
- “More Love, Less Ego” (2022)
Wizkid is the first Afrobeats artist to hold a top 10 Billboard Hot 100 chart position. Wizkid has three platinum certifications with three different songs, making him the African artist with the highest number of platinum certifications by the RIAA in the US of all time.
Wizkid became the first African act to debut with an album on the Spotify Global Album Chart with his classic album 'Made In Lagos'.
Wizkid has the longest charting album for an African on the Billboard World Albums Chart with his album Made In Lagos, beating legendary Cesaria Evora, who held the record for 27 years, with her album ‘Cesaria.
Wizkid became the first Nigerian nominated for the Billboard Music Awards with seven nominations in 2017 and 2022. Wizkid became the most nominated African artist at the BET Awards
Relationship Timeline
- Wizkid has four children from three different women.
- His first son, Boluwatife Balogun, was born in 2011 to his then-girlfriend Oluwanishola Ogudu.
- In 2016, he welcomed his second son, Ayodeji Balogun Jr., with Guinean-American model Binta Diamond Diallo.
- In 2017, he welcomed his third child, Zion Balogun, with his manager Jada Pollock. They welcomed a second son in 2022.
Tours
- Wizkid has performed at several concerts and tours around the world.
- Some of his notable tours include the "One Hell of a Night Tour" with Chris Brown in 2016 and the "Starboy Fest" tour in 2019.
- Wizkid’s Tottenhamstadium concert in 2023.
Awards
Wizkid has won several awards throughout his career. Here are some of his notable awards:
- BET Awards: Best International Act Africa (2012, 2017)
- MTV Europe Music Awards: Best African Act (2016)
- MOBO Awards: Best African Act (2011)
- The Headies: Artiste of the Year (2016, 2021)
- Grammy Awards: Best Music Video for "Brown Skin Girl" (2021)
Net Worth
According to Forbes Africa, Wizkid's net worth is estimated at $30 million as of 2021.
Top 10 Best Wizkid Songs
- Holla at Your Boy (2010) - Superstar
- Don't Dull (2010) - Superstar
- Love My Baby (2011) - Superstar
- Pakurumo (2011) - Superstar
- Ojuelegba (2014) - Ayo
- Show You the Money (2014) - Ayo
- Jaiye Jaiye ft. Femi Kuti (2014) - Ayo
- Final (Baba Nla) (2015) - Non-album single
- Come Closer ft. Drake (2017) - Sounds from the Other Side
- Essence ft. Tems (2020) - Made in Lagos
