Ayodeji Balogun

Early Life and Background

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun was born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. He grew up in a multi-religious, polygamous household, with his father, Alhaji Muniru Olatunji Balogun, being a Muslim, and his mother, Jane Dolapo Balogun, a Christian. This diverse upbringing exposed him to various cultural and religious influences from an early age. Wizkid was the youngest of twelve children, having twelve female siblings. His passion for music ignited at a very young age, and he began singing at the tender age of 11, initially using the stage name Lil Prinz. In 2001, he formed a gospel group called "Glorious Five" with some friends from his church. The group, comprising four boys and one girl, managed to release a seven-track album before disbanding, providing young Ayodeji with his initial experience in music recording and performance.

Education

Wizkid's formal education included attending Ijebu Ode Grammar School. Following his secondary education, he enrolled at Lagos State University. However, his burgeoning music career began to demand an increasing amount of his time and attention, leading him to make the decision to withdraw from the university to fully pursue his artistic aspirations. He later made an attempt to further his education by enrolling at Lead City University. Despite this second endeavor, his unwavering commitment to his music career once again overshadowed his academic pursuits, resulting in his eventual withdrawal from Lead City University as well. His educational path clearly demonstrated his singular focus and dedication to his musical calling over traditional academic routes.

Career

Wizkid's professional music career began to take significant shape under the mentorship of renowned Nigerian record producer OJB Jezreel, who became a pivotal figure in his early development. Wizkid spent considerable time at OJB's studio, observing, learning, and honing his craft. In 2009, a defining moment arrived when he signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), a label co-founded by popular Nigerian musician Banky W. This signing marked the official launch of his career as "Wizkid." His debut single, "Holla at Your Boy," released in 2010, became an instant national sensation, quickly catapulting him into the Nigerian music spotlight.

The immense success of "Holla at Your Boy" set the stage for his highly anticipated debut studio album, Superstar, which was released on June 12, 2011, under EME. The album was a commercial and critical triumph, featuring other chart-topping singles such as "Pakurumo" and "Tease Me/Bad Guys." Superstar solidified his status as a leading artist in the Nigerian music industry, earning him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Next Rated award at The Headies 2011.

In 2013, seeking greater creative autonomy and a platform to nurture new talent, Wizkid founded his own independent record label, Starboy Entertainment. Despite this new venture, he remained under the EME imprint for his second studio album, Ayo, which was released on September 17, 2014. This album contained the globally acclaimed track "Ojuelegba," a song that deeply resonated with listeners due to its authentic narrative about his struggles and eventual rise from the streets of Lagos. "Ojuelegba" garnered significant international attention when Canadian rapper Drake and British grime artist Skepta released an unofficial remix of the song in 2015, effectively introducing Wizkid to a much broader global audience.

The momentum generated by "Ojuelegba" led to groundbreaking international collaborations. In 2016, Wizkid achieved a monumental feat by co-writing and co-producing Drake's global smash hit "One Dance," which also featured him and British singer Kyla. "One Dance" shattered multiple streaming records, topped charts worldwide, and earned Wizkid a Guinness World Record. This collaboration was a significant catalyst for his global career. Building on this success, in March 2016, Wizkid signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music International, a strategic move that cemented his presence in the global music market.

His third studio album, and his first under his international deal, Sounds from the Other Side, was released on July 14, 2017. This album was a deliberate fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall, featuring collaborations with prominent international artists such as Drake, Major Lazer, Chris Brown, and Ty Dolla Sign. While receiving mixed critical reviews, it further established his global reach and experimental sound. He continued to release successful singles and embark on extensive international tours. On October 30, 2020, he released his critically acclaimed fourth studio album, Made in Lagos. This album became a global phenomenon, primarily driven by the immense success of its lead single, "Essence," featuring Nigerian singer Tems. "Essence" became a summer anthem, charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and Global 200, marking it as the first Nigerian song to achieve such a feat. A subsequent remix featuring Justin Bieber further propelled its global popularity.

In 2021, Wizkid achieved another significant milestone by winning a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for his collaboration on "Brown Skin Girl" with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, and Saint Jhn, from The Lion King: The Gift album. This marked his first Grammy win and a historic moment for Nigerian music, solidifying his status as a global music icon. His latest album, More Love, Less Ego, was released on November 11, 2022, continuing his exploration of Afrobeats with global appeal and further cementing his position in the international music landscape.

Major Achievements

Wizkid is one of the most awarded and decorated African artists globally. His numerous accolades include:

• Grammy Award Winner: In 2021, he won a Grammy Award for Best Music Video for his collaboration on "Brown Skin Girl" with Beyoncé, Blue Ivy Carter, and Saint Jhn.
• Guinness World Record Holder: Recognized for his contribution to Drake's "One Dance," which became the most streamed song on Spotify in 2016.
• First Nigerian artist to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist: Achieved with his hit single "Essence" featuring Tems.
• Multiple BET Awards: Winner of Best International Act in 2012 and 2017.
• Multiple MOBO Awards: Awarded Best African Act in both 2016 and 2017.
• MTV Europe Music Award: Received the award for Best African Act in 2016.
• MTV Africa Music Awards: Honored with Artist of the Year in 2016 and Song of the Year in 2016 for "Ojuelegba."
• Headies Awards: Recipient of numerous Headies awards, including Next Rated in 2011 and Artist of the Year in 2016.
• NAACP Image Award: Won Outstanding Music Video for "Brown Skin Girl" in 2020.
• Soul Train Music Award: Awarded Best Collaboration for "Essence" in 2021.

Personal Life

Wizkid is known for maintaining a relatively private personal life, especially concerning his romantic relationships. He is a father to three sons with three different women. His first son, Boluwatife Balogun, was born in 2011 to Sola Ogudugu. His second son, Ayodeji Balogun Jr., was born in 2016 to Binta Diallo. His third son, Zion Balogun, was born in 2017 to his manager, Jada Pollock. Jada Pollock has also played a significant and long-term role as his manager, navigating his international career and public engagements. While he generally keeps his family life out of the intense public spotlight, he occasionally shares glimpses of his children on social media, demonstrating his commitment to fatherhood.

Legacy

Wizkid's legacy is profound and far-reaching, establishing him as one of the most significant and influential African artists of the 21st century. His pioneering efforts have been instrumental in globalizing Afrobeats, effectively opening doors and paving the way for countless other African musicians to gain international recognition and success. Through his distinctive sound, charismatic stage presence, and consistent delivery of chart-topping songs, he has cemented Afrobeats as a globally recognized, respected, and celebrated music genre. He has inspired an entire generation of artists across Africa and the diaspora, demonstrating the immense potential for African music to transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. His monumental success has not only brought him personal accolades but has also spotlighted Nigerian culture, creativity, and artistic prowess on a worldwide scale, positioning him as a quintessential cultural ambassador for Africa. His unwavering commitment to his craft, his remarkable ability to evolve musically, and his dedication to staying true to his roots ensure his lasting and indelible impact on the global music landscape for generations to come.