Global & World Music Stars Codexery

Wizkid

Nigerian Afrobeats star who broke global records with 'One Dance' and 'Essence'.

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The singer and songwriter Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, who performs as Wizkid, came into the world on 16 July 1990 in the Ojuelegba area of Surulere, Lagos.[1][2] When he was 11 years old, Wizkid started making recordings, and together with some friends from his church he created the group Glorious Five, which put out an album.[3][4]

Making and release

On 12 June 2011, his first album Superstar came out through Empire Mates Entertainment, and it included appearances by Banky W., Skales, D'Prince, and Wande Coal.[5] Wizkid put out his second studio album, Ayo, on 17 September 2014; six singles, among them "Jaiye Jaiye", preceded its release.[6] Once his contract with E.M.E. ended, Wizkid departed from the label.[6] International fame came his way in 2016 when he worked with Drake on "One Dance", a track that climbed to the number-one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100.[6]

A multi-album agreement with RCA Records was signed by Wizkid in March 2017, and later that same year he put out Sounds from the Other Side.[7][8] Made in Lagos*, which Wizkid released in October 2020, achieved the number-one position on the Billboard World Albums chart.[9] The fifth album More Love, Less Ego became available on 11 November 2022, and the sixth, Morayo, followed on 22 November 2024.[10]

What the cited sources add

The same report noted that his parents and mentors insisted on DNA confirmation before fully admitting the child was his.[11] In a 2023 Guardian article, Kareem stated that Wizkid gained fame in 2010 with his debut single "Holla at Your Boy" from Superstar.[12] The Guardian article noted that Wizkid has a son named Boluwatife Balogun, born in 2010.[12] Kareem stated that Wizkid has an endorsement deal with MTN Nigeria and has been associated with Pepsi and Nike.[12]

References

  1. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Wizkid honoured by Minnesota governor in U. S.", The Sun, 8 October 2018 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  2. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Sare, "The Essence of Wizkid's Sound: 5 Ways He's Pushed Afrobeats", Notjustok.com, 30 September 2022; "From the Magazine: 30 Quick Facts About Wizkid You Should Know As He Turns 30 Today", The Guardian, 16 July 2020 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  3. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Afrobeats pioneer Wizkid on his success: "I want to feed people with the finest music"", NME, 18 July 2023; Enos, "For The Record: How Wizkid Elevated Nigeria & Propelled The Ascent Of Afrobeats With His Star-Studded Album 'Made In Lagos'", Grammy.com, 24 March 2022; Adegoke, "Afropop star Wizkid on ego, alter egos and elections: 'with my guy jayI make a lot of club records but I feel like a pastor", The Guardian, 4 November 2022; "Wizkid: Spotlight on Africa's record breaking artist", TRT Afrika, 17 February 2024; Kareem, "33 Things To Know Ab en.wikipedia.org
  4. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Wizkid Biography", RCA Records; Ibenegbu, "History of Ijebu Ode grammar school - Wizkid's former school", Legit.ng, 17 January 2018; "Wizkid Biography", RCA Records; "Wizkid To The World A Nation of Billions", Nation of Billions; "Westwood – Wizkid remix with Akon *Exclusive* in UK", YouTube, 10 August 2012; "Factory78 Exclusive – Wizkid interview", YouTube, 19 February 2011 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  5. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Ohunyon, "7 things you need to know about Starboy's debut album, 'Superstar'", Pulse Nigeria, 13 June 2013 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  6. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Inyang, "Wizkid, long time manager allegedly part ways", Daily Post, 2012-09-26 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  7. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "10 Greatest Achievements of Wizkid You Should Know About", The Guardian, 16 July 2019 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  8. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Platon, "WizKid Signs Multi-Album Deal With RCA Records/Sony Music International: Exclusive", 1 March 2017 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  9. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Tade, "Wizkid Release New single with international artist Brent Faiyaz Title "Piece Of My Heart "", Np Media, 18 October 2024; "Wizkid's 'Made in Lagos' hits No. 1 on Billboard world album chart", The Punch, 24 August 2021; "Wizkid's 'Essence' Enters Hot 100", 15 July 2021 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  10. Wikipedia, "Wizkid" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Williams, "Wizkid – 'More Love, Less Ego' review: Afrobeats' biggest star perfects his universal sound", NME, 11 November 2022 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
  11. "Exclusive: Wizkid Impregnates Undergraduate, Gets Baby Girl", The NET, 22 August 2011. facts only, no text reused. thenet.ng
  12. Kareem, "33 Things To Know About Wizkid As He Clocks 33", The Guardian, 18 July 2023. facts only, no text reused. guardian.ng

Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Wizkid (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.

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Sources

Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.

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