Wizkid, also known as Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, is a well-known Nigerian musician, stage performer, and songwriter. Wizkid has been a part of the Nigerian music industry for more than ten years and undoubtedly has millions of followers both locally and internationally. According to reports, Wizkid charges millions of naira or hundreds of dollars to perform at gatherings and performances. In fact, millions of people listen to Wizkid’s tracks every day, making them one the most streamed music on Spotify.
He is well known throughout Africa and among the
Afrobeat scene, but thanks to his collaborations with well-known musicians like Drake, he has also become an international celebrity. After collaborating with other well-known musicians, Wizkid expanded into the mainstream music industry.
Being one of the first Nigerian to reach one million followers on Twitter makes him one of the most well-known Nigerians of all time. Additionally, Wizkid has revealed plans to start his own clothing line and was successful in landing substantial endorsement deals with well-known brands like Pepsi.
Wizkid Early Life
On July 16, 1990, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, now known as Wizkid, was born in Lagos, Nigeria. He was brought up by a Muslim father and a Christian mother in a big household with 12 siblings. From a young age, Wizkid showed a passion for music, and among his earliest inspirations were performers like Bob Marley and King Sunny Ade. Wizkid grew up going to church, which further fueled his passion for music. As a young boy, he started a musical group with other church friends.
Wizkid Musical Career
Since he was a little child, Wizkid has performed because he has always loved music. It wasn’t by accident that he went on to become a top-performing star in the music industry. It took him courage, perseverance, and the appropriate mentors. He has a great deal of respect for musicians like Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, as well as King Sunny Ade.
Wizkid began making important contacts in the music business at the age of 15 and began learning with established musicians. He went to university after finishing high school, but he later left to pursue a career in music. He subsequently joined with the Nigerian record label Empire Mates Entertainment.
He started singing with the Glorious Five, a church music group, where he adopted the stage name Lil Prinz. As a child, Wizkid got to know Babatunde Okungbowa, also known as OJB Jezreel, who produced many of the top records in the Nigerian and African music scenes. His interactions with artists like 2Baba, Banky W, Naeto C, and Sound Sultan had an impact on his musical career. Wizkid asserted that Naeto C served as his musical mentor when he was 15 years old.
Wizkid started working on his debut album, Superstar, while he was still in his early teenage years, in 2009. To rave reviews, the album was released in 2010. For his debut album, Wizkid received numerous accolades from the Nigerian music industry, including the Next Rated Award in 2011 as well as Best Album of the Year in 2012.
Following the success of his debut album, Wizkid went on tour in London, England, where he was well-liked. He played the HMV Apollo to a packed house in 2012. Empire Mates State of Mind, a compilation album from Empire Mates Entertainment, would be his upcoming endeavor. To promote the album’s release, Wizkid and the other musicians who were on it undertook a promotional tour across the country. They also showed up in Canadian cities like Calgary and Vancouver.
Ayo, Wizkid’s second album, was released in 2014. The album was constantly postponed since Wizkid started working on it in 2012, but it was a significant advancement because it included a variety of tunes with well-known artists, including the American rapper Tyga.
Soon after, other collaborations with well-known hip-hop artists occurred, with Drake contributing the vocals to the remix of Wizkid’s track “Ojuelegba.” The remix eventually peaked at number one on the Billboard Top 100 and gained widespread acclaim throughout the world. Soon after, Wizkid and Chris Brown worked together on the smash hit song “African Bad Gyal.”
Wizkid’s third album, Sounds from the Other Side, was made available in 2017. The album contained new songs with well-known musicians including Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz, as well as Major Lazer in addition to Wizkid’s previous collaborations with Chris Brown and Drake. Sounds from the Other Side also included the Drake-featuring song “Come Closer” in addition to “One Dance.”
Wizkid Musical Style
The songs of Wizkid combine elements of R&B, afrobeat, dancehall, reggae, and mainstream hip-hop. Wizkid has made efforts to set himself apart from the blatantly materialistic lyrics of past famous rappers. Wizkid continues to rise in the local and global music scene. He has accomplished remarkable things that the majority of Nigerian musicians haven’t in recent years.
Wizkid Net Worth
Wizkid’s net worth is estimated to be $4 million as of 2022. He is one of the most well-paid musicians in Nigeria and became well-known through his successful records. From his career, including album sales, online streaming, merchandise, and live appearances, he had already amassed a sizable fortune. For a gig, Wizkid charges somewhere between $ 20,000 to $ 50,000. In addition, he not only earns millions of dollars as a singer but also makes a sizable sum of money from sponsorships and brand endorsements. Speaking of his sources of revenue, how can we ignore his YouTube channel, which has over 2.4 million subscribers?
Wizkid Endorsement deals
Wizkid signed a one-year endorsement contract with Pepsi in 2012, purportedly for $350,000. In order to film a Pepsi commercial, he and Tiwa Savage traveled to Beirut, Lebanon. On May 28, 2013, Premium Times reported that Wizkid had agreed to a one-year deal with MTN Nigeria. Wizkid’s Pepsi contract was reportedly extended for a further two years, according to the newspaper.
For the Guinness World of More concert, which took place at the Eko Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos, Wizkid and Guinness struck an endorsement agreement in November 2013. Pulse Nigeria claimed in June 2015 that Wizkid had quit MTN and entered into a new contract with GLO. Wizkid also represents United Bank for Africa as a brand ambassador.
In Review
Wizkid is a well-known artist and one of Nigeria’s top performers; his name can never be forgotten in the entertainment history. After releasing a number of songs, this African superstar is now regarded as one of Nigeria’s most well-known and wealthy musicians. Wizkid is more than simply a Nigerian musician; he has achieved international acclaim on a number of occasions and is well-known throughout the world.
Wizkid has collaborated with some of the best musicians in the world, including Rihanna, Chris Brown, Drake, and many other well-known musicians. He has also featured numerous talented Nigerian, Ghanaian, and other renowned African musicians. Wizkid has a sizable fan base on all major social media platforms and is one of the most streamed Nigerian artists of all time on Spotify and other prominent streaming platforms.
A singer and songwriter from Nigeria, Wizkid has a $4 million net worth. He was ranked fourth on Forbes’ list of the richest musicians in Africa in 2018. Wizkid is the most acclaimed Nigerian artist and one of the most influential Afro-pop performers of the modern era. He is currently a music sensation that has accomplished numerous achievements.