Talent

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Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (WIZKID)

Biography

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born 16 July 1990), known professionally as Wizkid,[3] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. A prominent figure in the modern-day Afrobeats music scene, Wizkid is regarded as one of the biggest and most influential African artists of all time.[4][5] He began recording music at the age of 11 and released a collaborative album with the Glorious Five (5), a group he and a couple of his church friends formed. In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E). He later rose to the limelight after releasing “Holla at Your Boy”, the lead single from his debut studio album, Superstar (2011), which also spawned the singles “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull”. Wizkid was born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on 16 July 1990, in Surulere, Lagos.[12] He grew up in an interfaith household with twelve female siblings. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian and his father practices Islam.[1] Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School.[13][1] He grew up listening to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley.[14] In a radio interview with Tim Westwood in 2012, he said that “his father has three wives”.[15] In another interview with Adesope of Factory 78 TV, Wizkid said he formed a group called the Glorious Five with a couple of his church friends.[16] They managed to release an album prior to disbanding. Wizkid went by the stage name Lil Prinz until 2006.[17] He later met OJB Jezreel, a record producer who prevented him from recording for a year.[16] While visiting OJB’s Point Beat Studios frequently, he watched 2 Face Idibia record songs for his Grass 2 Grace album. He was also present during the recording sessions for Sound Sultan’s debut album Jagbajantis.[18][16] He cited Naeto C as one of the people who mentored and coached him when he was 15 years old. Wizkid inked a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. He co-wrote “Omoge You Too Much”, a song from Banky W.’s The W Experience album.[16][18] He also worked with Naeto C, Ikechukwu and M.I while developing his craft.[19] In mid-2009, he dropped out of Lagos State University (LASU). He later attended Lead City University, but dropped out after completing two sessions.[18]

News / Ranking / Titbits / Awards

Wizkid has won a total of 85 awards from 246 nominations across the globe including the coveted Grammy, The Headies, Sound City MVP, AFRIMA, MOBO, BET, Nigerian Entertainment Award, MTV Europe Award, Net Honors, and African Pride Award

Talent

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (WIZKID)

Biography

News / Ranking / Titbits / Awards

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