Quick Facts:
- Birth Name: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
- Origin: Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
- Genre: Afrobeats, R&B, Afropop, Afrofusion
- Active Since: 2001 Record
- Label: Starboy Entertainment/RCA Records
- Birth Date: July 16, 1990
Artist Bio:
Wizkid, also known as Big Wiz, is one of Africa’s most influential musical artists. Starting his musical journey at just 11 in a church choir, he rose to become a global superstar. From his early days with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) to founding Starboy Entertainment, Wizkid has consistently pushed the boundaries of African music, taking Afrobeats to unprecedented international heights.
Career Highlights:
Major Achievements:
- Multiple MTV Africa Music Awards
- BET Award recipient
- Headliner at major festivals worldwide
- Over 20 years of consistent musical excellence
- Numerous endorsement deals with major brands
Historic Achievements:
- First African artist to sell out O2 Arena in London, three times
- Grammy Award winner for “Brown Skin Girl”
- Billboard Hot 100 record with “Essence”
- Multiple collaborations with international artists
- Numerous sold-out world tours
- First African artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify
Recent Projects
- “More Love, Less Ego” World Tour
- “Morayo” The Album
- International Festival Headlining Shows
- Multiple Chart-Topping Singles
- Global Brand Collaborations
Social Impact:
Wizkid’s influence extends beyond music. He’s become a cultural icon, influencing fashion, youth culture, and the global perception of African music. His success has opened doors for many African artists and helped establish Afrobeats as a global genre. His style, both musically and fashion-wise, has inspired a generation of young Africans
Awards & Recognition:
- Grammy Award
- Billboard Music Awards
- BET Awards
- MOBO Awards
- MTV Europe Music Awards
- The Headies Awards
- AFRIMA Awards
- Multiple Nigeria Entertainment Awards
Notable Collaborations:
- Beyoncé – “Brown Skin Girl”
- Drake – “Come Closer”
- Tems – “Essence”
- Burna Boy – “Ginger”
- H.E.R. – “Smile”
- Justin Bieber – “Essence Remix”
- Skepta – “Bad Energy”
- Chris Brown – “Call Me Every Day”
Business Ventures:
- Starboy Entertainment Record Label
- Starboy Clothing Line
- Brand Endorsements:
- Pepsi
- Ciroc
- UBA Bank
- Tecno Mobile
- Nike (Limited Edition Starboy Jersey)
Social Media Presence
[Social Links Block]
- Instagram: @wizkidayo
- Twitter: @wizkidayo
- YouTube: Wizkid
- Spotify: Wizkid
Recent Projects
- “More Love, Less Ego” World Tour
- International Festival Headlining Shows
- Multiple Chart-Topping Singles
- Global Brand Collaborations
Concert History Highlights
- Made in Lagos O2 Arena Shows
- Global Citizen Festival
- Coachella Performance
- Rolling Loud Festival
- Wireless Festival
- AfroNation Headliner
Legacy:
Wizkid’s journey from Lagos to global stardom represents the possibilities within African music. His consistent evolution, international collaborations, and maintenance of his African identity while achieving global success have set a blueprint for upcoming artists. His contribution to making Afrobeats a global phenomenon is unparalleled.
