Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun (born July 16, 1990), popularly known as Wizkid, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.

The super singer Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, known by his stage name Wizkid has a considerable net worth as of January 2021, making him one of the richest musicians in Nigeria.

Early life and education

Wizkid grew up in a home with a Muslim father and a Christian mother.

Wizkid attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School; he listened to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti and Bob Marley. As an Afrobeat singer, Wizkid has never been shy about his admiration for the Nigerian music legend Fela Kuti.

In an interview with Tim Westwood, a UK Journalist, Wizkid revealed his father married three wives.

Career

Balogun began his career in music when he was just 11 years old. His first record, Lil Prinz, was recorded in 2001 in collaboration with Glorious Five, a group consisting of Balogun and his friends from church. In 2006, he started pursuing music full-time, at first collaborating with various Nigerian pop acts including OJB Jezreel, Naeto C, and Banky W. By 2011, he was ready to record his debut studio album as a solo artist; Superstar was released by Empire Mates Entertainment (EME for short) to great critical and public acclaim across Africa, propelling Wizkid to stardom in his home country.

After multiple delays and label disagreements, he released his sophomore studio album, Ayo, in 2014. The record featured a multitude of guest appearances, including a spot from Femi Kuti. It also featured Balogun’s global breakthrough track “Ojuelegba.” Not only did the single cement his status as one of Nigeria’s biggest pop acts, it was also picked up and remixed by Drake and Skepta, thrusting Wizkid into the international spotlight. In return, he appeared on Drake’s 2016 smash single “One Dance.” In March 2017, Wizkid signed a major Deal with RCA and Sony International, which would release his third LP, Sounds from the Other Side, later that year. A handful of singles appeared in advance of the album, including “Sweet Love” and the Drake-assisted “Come Closer.”

In October 2018, Wizkid issued a pair of singles, “Master Groove” and “Fever,” to mark Nigeria’s Independence Day. The following year, he joined Beyoncé and Saint Jhn for The Lion King: The Gift track “Brown Skin Girl” and released his own single, “Joro.” The EP Soundman, Vol.1 was issued by Balogun’s Starboy Entertainment imprint in 2019. Following his involvement in the successful protests to scrap Nigeria’s controversial Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Wizkid’s fourth album, Made in Lagos, arrived in October 2020. Featuring collaborations with H.E.R., Damian Marley, Burna Boy, and several others, the Grammy-nominated set was a critical and commercial success, appearing on numerous year-end album lists and reaching number 15 on the U.K. album charts. The record’s fifth single, the Grammy-nominated “Essence” (featuring Tems), became a worldwide hit, reaching number 17 in the U.K. and even becoming the first Nigerian song to chart in the Billboard Hot 100. After the track became a hit, a remix featuring Justin Bieber was released.

Rise to fame

Wizkid was adopted into the Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), a Nigerian record label in 2009. Wizkid released his first hit single ‘Holla at Your Boy’ in 2011.

With the above song, Wizkid won the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011. Wizkid later released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011, which was a national hit album at the time.

Wizkid went ahead to release another hit album, Ayo, in September 2014.

Wizkid’s Record Labels

As stated earlier, Wizkid signed up with E.M.E. in 2009.

Wizkid left the E.M.E after his five-year contract ended with the label. On March 5, 2013, Wizkid founded the Star Boy entertainment record label.

Wizkid’s Albums

Wizkid has released and recorded 4 studio albums, which are listed below:

Superstar

In 2009, Wizkid started recording his debut studio album, “Super Star.” E.M.E. released the Superstar album on June 12, 2011.

E.M.E. was under the management of Banky W and Tunde Demuren at the time.

The superstar album became the second best-selling album on NotJustOK, a music download website.

Wizkid’s Superstar album won the Best Album of the Year in the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2012.

Ayo

Ayo, which means Joy in the Yoruba language, was named after Wizkid, following his first name, Ayodeji.

Ayo was released on September 17, 2014, under two record labels, Starboy Entertainment (founded by Wizkid) and Empire Mates Entertainment.

Sounds from the other side (SFTOS)

Wizkid recorded his third studio album, Sounds from the other side (STFOS), and released it on July 14, 2017.

SFTOS was released under three record labels Starboy Entertainment, R.C.A. Records, and Sony Music International.

The album featured foreign artists like Chris Brown, Bucie, Drake, and Ty Dolla Sign. e.t.c

SFTOS was ranked 107 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and 58 on Canadian Album Charts.

Made in Lagos

Made in Lagos (M.I.L.) is Wizkid’s 4th album, released on October 30, 2020, under Starboy Entertainment and R.C.A. Records.

By the end of 2020, M.I.L. was the number 1 album on Native Mag and Vogue’s 20 Best Albums of 2020.

Endorsement Deals

Celebrities earn an enormous amount of money from endorsements deals. Top companies pay big stars over $3 million for endorsements to market their product with their faces.

Endorsements are important sources of income for musicians and other celebrities, and Wizkid has gained a lot from these endorsement deals, which has increased his net worth to become one of the richest musicians in Africa.

Below are some of Wizkid’s endorsements deals:

1. In 2012, Wizkid signed a one-year endorsement deal with Pepsi reported to be worth $350,000.
2. Premium Times reported on May 28, 2013, that Wizkid signed a one-year deal with MTN Nigeria. It further added that Premium times renewed the contract for two additional years.
3. Wizkid signed an endorsement deal with Guinness for the Guinness World of More concert held in Eko Hotel and Suites VI in November 2013.
4. Pulse Nigeria reported that Wizkid ditched his endorsement deal with MTN and took up an N128 million deal with GLO 2015.
5. Wizkid was contacted to model for Nike when Nike entered a five year deal with the Nigerian Football Federation in 2018. After that, Wizkid got a deal extension with Nike.
6. Wizkid signed an international deal with Dolce & Gabbana, a deal worth $10,000.
7. Wizkid signed an endorsement deal worth $3 million (the equivalent of 1 billion nairas at the time) with the United Bank for Africa (UBA).
8. In 2020, Wizkid landed an endorsement deal with Puma, a sportswear brand.

Wizkid’s Award

Wizkid’s net worth

Wizkid has made so much money in music, releasing different songs and albums. He has a net worth of $30 million, a considerable net worth that compliments his talent as one of the best musicians in Nigeria and Africa.

Aside from the music he is known globally for, Wizkid has other income sources, which have helped boost his net worth and make him one of the top 10 richest musicians in Nigeria.

He has lots of endorsement deals with different companies; top brand companies always contact the music superstar to help them market their products.

Wizkid also has a clothing line with his nickname “Star Boy,” which has helped increase his net worth to a higher level.

Wizkid has a record label, ‘Starboy.’ Wizkid has affiliated with many singers, rappers, and producers such as Mr. Eazi, Efya, Maleek Berry, L.A.X, and Legendury Beatz through this record label.