Happy birthday Starboy Wizkid
Happy birthday to Starboy Wizkid 🎂
Full Name: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
Stage Name: Wizkid, also called Big Wiz and Starboy
Born: July 16, 1990 in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria
Nationality: Nigerian
Early Life
Wizkid was born in Surulere, Lagos into a Yoruba family of 12 children. His mother is a Pentecostal Christian and his father is a Muslim.
He grew up listening to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. He started singing in church at age 11 as part of a group called Glorious Five. At 15 he released a collaborative album under the name Lil Prinz.
Breakthrough
2010 – Holla At Your Boy: This was his breakout single from his debut album Superstar. The song made him a household name in Nigeria.
2011 – Superstar Album: Had hits like Tease Me and Don’t Dull. He became one of the biggest artists in Africa.
International Fame
2016 – One Dance with Drake: The song hit Number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 for 10 weeks. It was the first Afrobeats song to do that and put Wizkid on the global map.
2017 – Sounds From The Other Side: His first major label album. Had Come Closer ft Drake.
2020 – Made In Lagos: His most successful album. Essence ft Tems became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. The remix with Justin Bieber peaked at Number 9.
2022 – More Love, Less Ego: Continued his global run.
Style and Influence
Wizkid’s sound is a mix of Afrobeats, R and B, reggae, and pop. He is credited for helping take Afrobeats global.
He is known for his laid back delivery, melodies, and fashion.
Starboy Entertainment
In 2013 he founded his own label Starboy Entertainment. He has worked with artists and producers like Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz. Tems also got her big break through Wizkid.
Awards and Achievements
Grammy Award: Won Best Music Video for Brown Skin Girl with Beyonce in 2021
BET Awards: Multiple wins including Best International Act Africa
Billboard Music Awards: First African artist to win 3 BBMAs in one night
Guinness World Record: For One Dance as the most streamed song at the time
Personal Life
Wizkid has 3 sons with different women. He is very private but known to be close to his mom. He lost his mother, Mrs Jane Balogun, in 2023.
Legacy
Wizkid is widely regarded as one of the pioneers who pushed Afrobeats to the world stage alongside Davido and Burna Boy. In 2025 he was named the 2nd most streamed African artist on Spotify.
He calls his fans Wizkid FC or FC.n🦅💜