Full Biography of Starboy Wizkid aka Big Wiz
Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and performer widely regarded as one of the most influential African artists of the modern era. Popularly known by nicknames such as Starboy, Big Wiz, and Machala, Wizkid played a major role in the global rise of Afrobeats and has become one of Africa’s biggest music exports.
Early Life and Background
Wizkid was born in the Ojuelegba area of Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, though his family originally hails from Ogun State. He grew up in a large interfaith family with multiple siblings. His father practiced Islam, while his mother is a Pentecostal Christian.
From an early age, Wizkid showed strong interest in music. He grew up listening to legendary artists such as:
• Fela Kuti
• King Sunny Ade
• Bob Marley
These influences later shaped his unique blend of Afrobeats, reggae, dancehall, and R&B.
At just 11 years old, he began recording music under the stage name Lil Prinz and formed a music group called Glorious Five with friends from his church. The group released a collaborative project before eventually disbanding.
Education
Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School for part of his education before proceeding to Lagos State University (LASU), where he briefly studied before dropping out due to his growing music career. He later enrolled at Lead City University, Ibadan, but eventually left to focus completely on music.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Wizkid’s professional journey gained momentum after he met renowned producer OJB Jezreel, who exposed him to the professional recording environment. During this period, Wizkid observed recording sessions involving artists such as:
• 2Baba
• Sound Sultan
He also received mentorship from rapper Naeto C.
In 2009, Wizkid signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), founded by Banky W.
His major breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of the hit single “Holla at Your Boy,” which became one of Nigeria’s biggest songs at the time. The song was part of his debut album:
Superstar (2011)
The album featured hit songs such as:
• “Tease Me/Bad Guys”
• “Pakurumo”
• “Don’t Dull”
• “Love My Baby”
The project established Wizkid as one of the leading young artists in Nigeria.
Rise to International Stardom
Following the success of Superstar, Wizkid released his second studio album:
Ayo (2014)
The album included popular tracks such as:
• “Jaiye Jaiye”
• “On Top Your Matter”
• “Show You the Money”
In 2016, Wizkid achieved global recognition after collaborating with Drake on the international hit single “One Dance.” The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts in multiple countries, making Wizkid the first Afrobeats artist to enter the Guinness World Records.
This breakthrough significantly expanded the global visibility of Afrobeats.
RCA Records and Global Success
In 2017, Wizkid signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and released his third studio album:
Sounds from the Other Side (2017)
The album featured collaborations with international stars including:
• Drake
• Chris Brown
• Ty Dolla Sign
In 2019, Wizkid collaborated with Beyoncé on the song “Brown Skin Girl” from The Lion King: The Gift album. The song won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
Made in Lagos and Global Dominance In 2020, Wizkid released his critically acclaimed fourth studio album:
Made in Lagos (2020)
The album became a global success and is widely considered one of the most important Afrobeats projects ever released.
The project included the historic hit single:
“Essence” featuring Tems
The song became:
• The first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100
• A global anthem that introduced Afrobeats to broader international audiences
A remix featuring Justin Bieber later pushed the song into the Billboard Top 10.
Later Projects
Wizkid later released:
More Love, Less Ego (2022) and
Morayo (2024)
An album dedicated to his late mother. The project reportedly broke streaming records for an African album on Spotify.
Musical Style and Influence
Wizkid’s music blends multiple genres, including:
• Afrobeats
• Afropop
• R&B
• Reggae
• Dancehall
• Afrobeat
His calm vocal style, minimalist delivery, melodies, and international collaborations helped redefine contemporary African music.
He is widely credited as one of the key artists responsible for taking Afrobeats to a global audience.
Awards and Achievements
Throughout his career, Wizkid has received numerous awards and recognitions, including:
• Grammy Awards
• BET Awards
• MOBO Awards
• MTV Europe Music Awards
• Billboard recognitions
He has also sold out major venues globally, including the O2 Arena in London and Madison Square Garden in New York.
In 2026, reports indicated that Wizkid became the first African artist to surpass 10 billion Spotify streams across all credits.
Personal Life
Wizkid is known for maintaining a relatively private lifestyle despite his global fame. He is a father and frequently speaks about the importance of family and personal growth.
He is also recognized for his fashion influence and global cultural impact beyond music.
Legacy and Impact
From the streets of Ojuelegba to becoming one of the biggest African musicians in history, Wizkid’s journey represents the global evolution of Afrobeats.
His influence has inspired an entire generation of African artists, and his success helped position Nigerian music on the world stage.
Presently, Wizkid stands as:
• A global Afrobeats icon
• A cultural ambassador for Africa
• One of the most-streamed African artists of all time
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