Wizkid: Iconic force behind Afrobeats’ global explosion

Aaron Anthony ( YolyBoy ), Entertainment & Society Editor

If Afrobeats had a global passport, one of the first stamps would read: Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid.

From Ojuelegba to the O2 Arena, from Mushin to Madison Square Garden, Wizkid didn’t just ride the wave of Afrobeats; he became the wave.

In a continent bursting with talent, Wizkid stands as one of the most transformative and iconic figures in Afrobeats history, leaving a legacy that transcends music and touches culture.
Fashion and global identity.

Who is Wizkid? The humble origins of a global star
Born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos State, Wizkid started singing in his local church choir under the name Lil Prinz before adopting Wizkid in his teens.

Growing up in a polygamous home, music became his escape and passion.

His breakthrough came in 2009, when he signed to Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E.) under Banky W. By 2010, his debut single Holla at Your Boy made him a household name.

At just 20, Wizkid had begun a career that would change African music forever.
Wizkid’s Journey So Far: From Local Fame to Global Domination. Wizkid’s path was never accidental; it was strategic, bold, and consistent:
2011: Debut album Superstar reshaped Afropop forever
2014: Ojuelegba became a national anthem and a cross-border sensation.
2016: Wizkid featured on Drake’s One Dance which hit No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 15+ countries.
2017: Released Sounds From The Other Side, blending Afrobeat with global pop.
2020: Made in Lagos was released, containing Essence ft. Tems is the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
2021: Essence (Remix) ft. Justin Bieber broke streaming records and reached Grammy-level acclaim.
2022: Wizkid sold out Madison Square Garden, Accor Arena, and 3 nights at the O2 Arena.

Every step of Wizkid’s journey tells a story of African pride meeting global recognition.

Milestones, Records & Iconic Awards
Wizkid’s contribution to music has earned him a shelf full of awards and a legacy full of history:
-Grammy Award Winner (2021) – for his collaboration with Beyoncé on Brown Skin Girl.
– BET Awards, MTV Europe Awards, MOBO Awards, Billboard Awards, Soul Train Awards
– Over 5 billion global streams across platforms
– Youngest African artist to get a Grammy nomination (2015)
– First African artist to sell out the O2 Arena three nights in a row
-Multiple entries into the Billboard Hot 100
– Named among Rolling Stone’s Future 500 Influential Artists
Wizkid and the Global Rise of Afrobeats
Before Wizkid, Afrobeats was celebrated in Africa but underrated globally. Wizkid became one of the architects who exported the sound across continents.
– His collaboration with Drake on One Dance exposed millions to African rhythm
– Essence opened the door for Nigerian music on mainstream U.S. radio
– Wizkid made it “cool” for American, French, Caribbean, and UK artists to feature African beats
-He proved that African music doesn’t need to adapt; it needs to be amplified.

Today, when we hear Burna Boy at the Grammys or Tems on Rihanna’s soundtrack, we trace that path back to Wizkid’s blueprint.

Why Wizkid Will Always Be Remembered
Wizkid will be remembered not just for being a hitmaker, but for being:
A cultural bridge between Africa and the world
-A trendsetter in music, fashion, and identity
– A silent revolutionary who let his work speak louder than the hype
– A king of calm energy, humility, and class.
He didn’t just break ceilings, he redesigned the building.

Why Upcoming Artists Should Study Wizkid’s Blueprint

There’s a lesson for every young artist in Wizkid’s rise:
-Stay consistent. He grew from street songs to stadium shows without losing his identity
-Let the music speak. Wizkid has always let his sound build his legacy, not scandals
– Go global, but stay rooted. He fused Afrobeats with the world, not the other way around.
– Build over time. His growth has been layered and strategic, not viral, but vital
He is proof that success doesn’t always scream it, sometimes whispers until the world must listen.

Wizkid didn’t just contribute to Afrobeats; he built pillars for it to stand on.

He took the sounds of Lagos and made them echo in London, New York, Paris, and Toronto.

As Afrobeats continues to rise, Wizkid’s legacy remains the guiding star for fans, for the industry, and for Africa.

Long after the lights dim, one thing is certain: Wizkid is forever a king