ExclusiveRawNaija is bringing to you, your favorite artiste biography and this weekend its StarBoy's Biography. Read below;
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
Ayodeji ibrahim balogun popularly known by the stage name, "Wizkid" was born on 16 July 1990 in Surulere , a residential and commercial area of Lagos. He comes from a large family and is the
last of six children. In an interview with Tim Westwood , he said that his father has three wives. Wizkid started singing at age 11, releasing a 7 track album entitled Lil Prinz
(2001). During an interview with Adesope of Factory 78 TV, Wizkid described his life in a nutshell. He said that he formed a group called
the Glorious Five with a couple of his church friends. The group successfully dropped an album prior to dismembering.
Wizkid later met OJB Jezreel, a record producer who prevented
him from recording for a year. While visiting Jezreel's studio frequently, he watched 2 Face Idibia record Grass 2 Grace and watched Sound
Sultan record Jagbajantis. A year later, Wizkid started recording. His first song featured OJB Jezreel. The song was met with great reception throughout Surulere. Wizkid cited
Naeto C as one of the people who mentored and coached him while he was 15 years old.
Wizkid also told Factory 78 TV that his parents weren't receptive of his music from the onset. He had to work hard and spent lots of time in
the studio to gain his father's trust. Wizkid has a great relationship with Banky W. He told Factory 78 TV that Banky W was one of the first people that believed in him. He said that he and Banky became friends prior to starting a professional relationship. He co wrote Banky W's "Omoge You Too Much", a song off the The W Experience album. In 2006, he
collaborated with Naeto C and Ikechukwu. In 2009, Wizkid became a household name within Nigeria's musical landscape; he was featured
on M.I 's "Fast Money, Fast Cars" and Kel's "Turn by Turn".
2011: Superstar (Wizkid album)
In 2010, Wizkid began recording his debut studio album Superstar (2011). On 2 January 2010, he released "Holla at Your Boy" as the
album's lead single. The single won the Next Rated category and was nominated for Best Pop Single at The Headies 2011. The music video for "Holla at Your Boy" was nominated for Most Gifted Newcomer Video at the 2011 Channel O Music Video Awards. The music video was also nominated for Best Afro Pop Video at the 2011 Nigeria Music Video Awards(NMVA). On 2 April 2010, Wizkid released "Tease Me/Bad Guys" as the
album's second single; it was initially released as a freestyle. "Don't Dull", the album's third single, was released on 6 December 2010.
The album, recorded in English and Yoruba, was released on 12 June 2011 by EmpireMatesEntertainment. It incorporates elements of R&B , Dancehall , and Reggae . Wizkid
collaborated with a wide range of music producers, including E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Sunny Nweke, Q-Beats, and Samklef
(the latter of whom produced 6 tracks on the album). The album features guest appearances from Banky W. , Skales , D'Prince and Wande Coal. It was initially scheduled for release on 14 February 2011, but was later pushed back.
On 12 June 2011, Wizkid hosted an album launch party at the Expo Hall of the Eko Hotel and Suites. The album launch party featured
performances from Banky W, Skales, Tuface Idibia , Samklef, Wande Coal, D'Prince, Olamide, eLDee , Jesse Jagz , Ice Prince, Lynxxx, and Seyi Shay. Superstar garnered Best Album of the Year at the 2012 Nigeria Entertainment Awards, and was nominated for Album of the
Year at The Headies 2012.
2012–2014: Ayọ (Joy)
Work on Wizkid's second studio album, Ayọ (Joy) , began in 2012 and continue through 2014. It features guest appearances from Femi Kuti, Banky W. , Seyi Shay , Phyno , Tyga, Akon and Wale. The album's production was handled by Sarz, Shizzi , Uhuru, Del'B, Dr Frabz, Maleek Berry, Legendury Beatz and
Spellz. It was initially titled Chosen . According to MTV Base, the album has suffered from a pushed back release date. It was earlier reported that the album would featured Don
Jazzy , Efya and Olamide. On 6 September 2014, Wizkid revealed the album's cover art and track listing.
Prior to announcing plans for a second studio album, Wizkid had plans of releasing a mixtape in April 2013. In an interview with Ok!
Nigeria TV at Disturbing London's
Headquarters in London, he said that the mixtape would be released in April. He also said that the mixtape would feature Wale and
Tinie Tempah. Wizkid later announced that he would be releasing his second studio album
on 12 June 2013. In an interview with HipTv, Banky W revealed the album's title and commented on the delayed album. In addition, he gave an estimated time-frame for the
album's release.
On 2 May 2013, Wizkid and Starboy
Entertainment released the album's lead single "Jaiye Jaiye" featuring Femi Kuti. Wizkid told Showtime Celebrity that he collaborated with
Femi Kuti to prevent people from depicting him as an artist whose lyrics revolve around girls, cars, and materialistic things. "On Top Your Matter" was released as the album's
second single on 26 October 2013; it was produced by Del B. The music video for the single, which was released on 13 February 2014, was shot and directed in South Africa by Sesan. In July 2014, Wizkid visited The Beat 99.9 FM studio in Lagos and told Toolz that he collaborated with Barbadian singer, Rihanna.
Fatherhood controversy
On 22 August 2011, Nigerian Entertainment Today reported that Wizkid fathered his first child at the age of 21. After a thorough
investigation, the news source concluded that Wizkid impregnated an undergraduate student named Oluwanishola Ogudugu. Moreover,
the news source added that multiple sources familiar with the "baby mama" and her family told them that they knew about the
relationship between both parties. When the story broke out, close friends and associates of Wizkid didn't confirm the story due to DNA
results that were pending at the time.
Wizkid broke his silence on the story in several interviews. In an interview with a Nigerian Entertainment Today editor, Wizkid denied having a child. In another interview held at Ogudu-GRA in Lagos, Wizkid said that he really doesn't want to find himself in that
peculiar situation. A week before denying the aforementioned allegations, Wizkid tweeted from his official Twitter handle.
In December 2012, he denied the baby scandal during an interview with Nonye Ben-Nwankwo of The Punch . In October 2013, Wizkid
uploaded a picture of he and his 2-year-old son, Boluwatife Balogun, onto his Instagram account. The photo confirmed the alleged rumours and allegations that were harboured for 2 years. The photo also vindicated Nigerian
Entertainment Today , the news source that first covered the story.
Wizkid & StarBoy Entertainment
On 5 March 2013, Charles Mgbolu (a writer for Vanguard ) reported that Wizkid established his label imprint Starboy Entertainment. During an
interview with Silverbird Television , Wizkid told Yvonne Vixen Ekwere that he planned on signing new acts to the label. Wizkid told Showtime Celebrity that he established his own record label to give up-and-coming artists a platform to showcase their talent.
On 17 April 2013, Wizkid signed Maleek Berry to Starboy Ent. Wizkid and Maleek Berry's work credits include "Lagos to Soweto" and "The Matter", among others. On 29 April 2013, Premium Times reported that Wizkid signed producers Uzezi Oniko & Okiemute Oniko, popularly known as Legendury Beatz, to his imprint.He made the announcement via Twitter.
On 9 May 2013, he unveiled photos of himself with the aforementioned acts signed. [70] On 20 August
2013, Wizkid signed recording artist L.A.X to the label. He made the announcement moments after debuting the music video for "Caro", the label's first official single. In an interview with iCR8Media , Wizkid said that Star Boy's first compilation album will drop in 2014. He also said that Maleek Berry will drop an album in 2014.
The Next Rated prize
Wizkid won the award for "Next Rated" at The Headies 2011. In addition to winning the award, he was awarded a 2012 Hyundai
Sonata courtesy of The Headies and its affiliates. The car presentation ceremony took place at the Silverbird Galleria in Victoria Island, Lagos. Guy Murray Bruce, Bola Salako and Ayo Animashaun were present during the ceremony. Wizkid joined the list of past winners, including Asa , Overdose, Omawumi, Wande Coal, and Skuki.
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