Wizkid's Early Hustle
Wizkid’s story is the ultimate rags to riches trajectory, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Ojuelegba a vibrant Surulere district of Lagos, Nigeria, he went from singing in his local church choir to becoming one of the most streamed artistes in global music history.
At just 11 years old a young Ayodeji formed a gospel group called the Glorious Five with a few friends. He was a constant presence in the Lagos studio scene, where he slowly gained a reputation for his hard work and tireless dedication eventually catching the eye of established Nigerian Music artist and actor Banky W, who signed him to his record label Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009.
Wizkid’s first major breakthrough came a year later in 2010 when he released the song "Holla at Your Boy". which instantly became a smash hit on the Nigerian Music scene. His debut Album 'Superstar' which he dropped the following year in 2011 catapulted him to superstar status and recognition across Africa as a leading exponent of Afrobeats music which was gaining rapid popularity around the world.
Global Recognition
Always hungry for a broader audience, Wizkid began focusing on transnational collaborations, this strategy paid off in 2016 when he co-wrote and featured on Drake's massive hit "One Dance." The track topped the charts worldwide in 15 countries and earned Wizkid a place in the Guinness World Records as the first Afrobeats artiste to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. exposing Wizkid and Afrobeats music to audiences in the United States and global entertainment markets around the world.
Always hungry for a broader audience, Wizkid began focusing on transnational collaborations, this strategy paid off in 2016 when he co-wrote and featured on Drake's massive hit "One Dance." The track topped the charts worldwide in 15 countries and earned Wizkid a place in the Guinness World Records as the first Afrobeats artiste to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. exposing Wizkid and Afrobeats music to audiences in the United States and global entertainment markets around the world.
The Reign Of Big Wizzy
Since then Wizkid has gone from strength to strength, he set up his label Starboy Entertainment and dropped his critically acclaimed 2020 album "Made in Lagos" which included the mega hit single 'Essence' featuring Afrobeats Diva Tems. The single gained international attention and recognition to become thefirst Nigerian hit single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. A further hugely successful remix of 'Essence' this time in collaboration with Canadian R&B star Justin Bieber solidified his status as an international icon.
Since then Wizkid has gone from strength to strength, he set up his label Starboy Entertainment and dropped his critically acclaimed 2020 album "Made in Lagos" which included the mega hit single 'Essence' featuring Afrobeats Diva Tems. The single gained international attention and recognition to become thefirst Nigerian hit single to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. A further hugely successful remix of 'Essence' this time in collaboration with Canadian R&B star Justin Bieber solidified his status as an international icon.
Sold Out Concerts
In 2021 Wizkid became the first Afrobeat artiste to sell out the 02 Arena in London UK with his concerts attracting an audience of 5.2 million fans over 5 nights. He has continued to perform to massive crowds around the world from the O2 Arena, to Glastonbury and Madison Square Garden in the U.S.
In 2021 Wizkid became the first Afrobeat artiste to sell out the 02 Arena in London UK with his concerts attracting an audience of 5.2 million fans over 5 nights. He has continued to perform to massive crowds around the world from the O2 Arena, to Glastonbury and Madison Square Garden in the U.S.
Today, Big Wizzy has multiple BET, MOBO and Grammy Awards to his name, he has collaborated and released tracks with some of the biggest international artistes in the in the world such as Beyonce, Chris Brown, Drake & Skepta, As well as global Afrobeat Artistes such as Olamide, Tiwa Savage, Gunna and Tyler. He is recognised as one of the first Nigerian artiste's to usher Yoruba -infused Afrobeats music to the global stage alongside the likes of other afrobeats stars such as Tiwa Savage, Davido, Burna Boy and Asake.
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