By Made In Lagos, For The World: The Legend Of Wizkid
It’s been over a decade since Wizkid got introduced to the big stage. From hanging out in the studio where the big boys recorded, to playing backup for some budding stars and then going on to get featured on not easily forgotten songs, Wizkid has seen it all.
From hustling for shows on the mainland down to the island, lobbying to perform up to the point he got signed onto his first record label, Wizkid has seen it all.
From struggling to get admitted into a higher institution to dropping out twice from the University (LASU and Lead City), Wizkid has always been a fighter.
Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Surulere, Lagos Nigeria on July 16, 1990, Wizkid is an entertainer par excellence who is arguably Nigeria’s biggest musical export in the last five years. Wizkid has grown from that tiny boy whose debut ‘Holla at your boy’ some people thought was modeled after Sean Kingston’s style. He however muted all naysayers when he dropped follow up singles and his first album, Superstar which remains one of the most successful debuts by an African artiste. One phenomenal moment was seeing a majorly white audience singing along Wizkid’s ‘Love my baby’ word for word at the HMV Apollo in London during his 2012 European tour.
However, Wizkid swiftly evolved, moving on to greater things even as many pitched him side by side his compatriot, Davido who has also garnered remarkable success in his career.
Wizkid, Davido and (later on), BurnaBoy have between them achieved more than their predecessors who were the pioneers of modern day Afrobeats with respect to the 2face, D’banj and Psquare’s of that generation.
However, of the new leaders of music and those who are fast rising, Wizkid stands out. The father of three boys have evolved from a local artiste to a global brand who needn’t deep introductions before even foreigners acknowledge his craft. He is the first Afrobeats artiste to get a recognition in the acclaimed Guinness Book of World Records fo his contribution on Drake’s ‘One Dance’. He and Drake have also gone on to become close associates with several tracks between them. He has also collaborated with several international music stars including the queen of vibes herself, Beyonce.
Today as Wizkid turns 30, he is also dropping an album, his fourth studio album and one cannot but note the sequence he has now come to adopt by dropping an album every three years.
Superstar: 2011
Ayo: 2014
Sounds from the other Side 2017
Made i pn Lagos: 2020
Wizkid’s consistence is second to none and he is one of those who have continually proven that talent is not enough if hardwork isn’t added.
Wizkid is truly a global star.
