‘Happy Birthday Wizkid’: Celebrating a global music icon at 34

Today marks the 34th birthday of Nigerian music icon Wizkid, an occasion that not only celebrates his life but also commemorates his extraordinary impact on global music culture.

His birthday is important for the musician who has been on the scene for more than a decade and his fans, The Wizkid FC, who need less to appreciate a legend of the craft.

From humble beginnings to international stardom, Wizkid has carved out a legacy as one of Nigeria’s greatest musical exports. Today, we reflect on the remarkable journey of Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun from his early beginnings in Lagos to becoming one of Africa’s most influential musical artists.

With numerous awards and groundbreaking achievements under his belt, Wizkid’s career is a testament to his talent and commitment to his craft.

Born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos, Wizkid’s musical journey began at 11 when he started recording music in his local church. His breakthrough came in 2010 with the release of the smash hit single “Holla at Your Boy”, which brought him into the spotlight under the stewardship of former label boss of EME Records, Banky W.

Wizkid’s debut album, ‘Superstar’, released in 2011, marked his arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the Nigerian music scene. The album spawned several hits such as Don’t Dull, Tease Me, Pakurumo, and others. It is widely regarded as one of the best debut albums in Nigerian history.

Over the course of his career, he has released five studio albums, Superstar in 2011, Ayo in 2014, Sounds From The Other Side in 2017, Made In Lagos in 2020 and More Love Less Ego in 2022, He is expected to release a sixth studio album later this year, which he titled ‘Morayo’ in honour of his late mother.

Wizkid’s star-studded birthday party

The Afrobeats sensation recently celebrated his birthday with an intimate party attended by close friends and celebrities. The event, held at an undisclosed location, featured a joyful atmosphere and heartfelt moments captured in now-viral clips.

In one video, attendees sang “Happy Birthday” to the “Made in Lagos” hitmaker, prompting him to burst into laughter upon seeing his cake. The celebration saw the presence of notable celebrities including Jada Pollock, Wizkid’s partner and manager; American supermodel Naomi Campbell; and fellow Afrobeats star Tems.

Another clip showed guests enjoying a meal together and making a toast to Wizkid, marking the occasion with warmth and camaraderie. The star-studded gathering highlighted the strong bonds and support within the entertainment industry, celebrating Wizkid’s continued success and influence.

The influence of a global icon

Over the years, Wizkid has amassed an impressive collection of local and international awards, solidifying his status as a global icon. He is the most awarded artist in The Headies Awards history. The most recent one in the 2022 edition of the award show, when ‘Made in Lagos: Deluxe Edition’ won Best Afrobeats Album and Album Of the Year.

Wizkid has been a dominant presence at the BET Awards, recognized multiple times for being in the prestigious Best International Act: Africa category. He is the most awarded African at the BET Awards with Four gongs to his name.

In 2021, Wizkid won the Grammy Award for his collaboration with Beyoncé and Blue Ivy on “Brown Skin Girl”, a powerful anthem celebrating black beauty and culture. He has also won 3 Soul Train Awards, 6 MOBO awards and the prestigious Netng’s ‘Most Popular Musician’ in 2021 edition of Net Honours, making him one of the most decorated African artists ever.

Beyond awards, Wizkid’s influence extends far beyond music charts. He has collaborated with international superstars such as Drake, Beyoncé, Future, Skepta and Justin Bieber, elevating Afrobeat to a global audience and paving the way for other African artists to follow.

His album ‘Made In Lagos’ did not only achieve success in the music world but also set records on international music charts, including the Billboard 200. His album ‘Made in Lagos’ holds the record for the longest-charting Nigerian album on the Billboard 200, spending an impressive 133 weeks on the chart.

Essence, a single from the project is widely considered one of the greatest songs in music history as it became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination at the 2022 edition of the Grammy Awards for Best Global Music Performance.