Wizkid also known as Starboy,the Nigerian super star,real name Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun,with a net worth of $5m as of 2020,is one of Africa and afrobeat's biggest stars.
The multiple award winning superstar has not only written his name on the sands of time as one of the greatest music stars out of Africa but he has also received international recognition. Wizkid born on July 16, 1990, the singer hails from Lagos State and is the last child in a family of six. He's also the only
son.
Wizkid started his musical career at the young age of eleven, his first stage name was "Lil Prinz". The super star also created a band at his young age called the Glorious Five. The group went on to debut a 7-track album that was released in church.
His first album was with the Glorious 5 and it sold about 10,000 copies. At the young age of 15 he was into song editing with Naeto C as his guide.
He later changed his stage name from Lil Prinz to Wizkid by 2006, he broke into the limelight in 2009 when he featured on M.I Abaga's song "Fast Cars"
His break out song was "Holla at Your Boy" which was released in 2010. The singer welcome his first son, Boluwatife by 2011. He is now a father of three boys, he also acquired his first car in 2011, an Honda Accord.
In the same year 2011, he dropped out of Lead City University where he was in his third year of studying "International Relations"
He also released his first Solo Album with E.M.E 'Superstars' the album had 17 tracks. On April 2012, E.M.E signed a joint deal on Wizkid with Akon's Convict.
In 2016, Wizkid achieved international recognition following his collaboration with Drake on the global hit, "One Dance", which was the biggest song in the world that year,breaking all records.Itreached number one in 15 countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. He signe
Wizkid also has his own Record Label "Starboy".
The singer has a special love for the colour black, he is the youngest African artiste to get a Grammy nomination, Wizkid is also the first African star to sell out Royal Albert Hall in London.
He also bagged seven Billboard nominations, the first African artiste to do so, he was also the first Nigerian to win three Billboard awards. He also became the first afro-pop artiste to appear in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The artiste was also honoured by the governor of Minnesota who named a day after him in the US.
As usual as with every big star in the world,comes controversy.
Wizzie has had his fair share.
Who can forget his online war with blogger Linda Ikeji? The two were at it for agea calling each other all sorts of names.
Then there was his rift with the guy who produced his first album,Sam Klef.The producer called Wizzie out on social media ,saying he has not appreciated or recognised his efforts in the Starboys career.Thankfully they made up later.
Banky W his mentor was also along the way,although that was more a business thing.Wizzie tried to get off Banky's label because he was not happy with how much he was making.They managed to resolve that and they are friends today.
His most famous beef undoubtedly is the ome with Davido.
It must be noted that it was more the fans who were pitching them against each other.
They publicly made up and appeared at each other's concerts to the delight of the fans.
A collaboration has been peddled about for a long time but yet to happen.
Then there is the unending speculation about his romance with Tiwa Savage.Are they a couple or not? Their anyecedents shows they are more likely a couple than not,but,as of March 2020,things seems to have cooled down a bit.Tiwa has posted some cryptic messages about not keep on going back to a lover ,cos they have power over you.Wizzie never replied to the coded messages,but it has been noted that there has not been no interractions between the two like before.
Wizkid is waxing stronger and more collaborations are in line to follow the example of him and Beyonce with the huge song Brown skin girl.
Rihanna was also supposed to have made a song with him..But we are yet to hear that either.
What's your favourite Wizzie song? Mine is "Soco" and "On top your matter"