In lieu of the many sold out national and international shows in past few months, we at Experiencing Naija wish to start off the year recognizing Nigerian Excellence.
At the age of 11, he began recording music with a couple of his church friends and by 2016, his collaboration with Drake brought him international recognition and subsequently a place in the Guinness World Records making him the first Afrobeats artist to be featured. By February 2021, he was the most streamed Nigerian artist of all time on Spotify with over 3.4 billion streams across all credits.
You guessed it.
We are talking about none other than the Nigerian musical genius popularly known as Wizkid!
Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on the 16th of July 1999, Wizkid has become one of Nigeria’s greatest artists. He begun singing at a young age with his church group and later on he signed a record deal with Empire Mates Entertainment music label in 2009 where his career really took off. He credits Nigerian veterans in the music industry such as 2Face, OJB Jezreel, Naeto C, MI amongst others as his mentors early in his career.
Wizkid’s biography is a testament of his body of work and highlights his awards and endorsement deals as well as his personal life and controversies which fully embraces the dual side of worldwide success to the level Wizkid has attained.
Wizkid is the Artist to watch this month because he is a prime example of Nigerian excellence, mastering his craft through the ups and downs of life and is fast gaining recognition for it.
His success is a constant reminder that hard work, talent, grace and good music can catapult a person to international super stardom and we believe that that is worth highlighting.
His story may be unique to himself and his circumstances but we hope that it inspires you to not only dance but to believe that any scale of greatness can be acquired.
What was the first Wizkid song that you heard? What was the first Wizkid song you enjoyed and what is your favourite Wizkid song?
Which Nigerian personality do you think deserves a highlight on this series?
Please keep the conversation going in the comment section and on our social media pages.
Have a wonderful 2022.
