Wizkid is one of Nigeria's music industry icons. Fuji musician Remi Aluko expressed that Wizkid revolutionized the Nigerian music industry. This is through his songs' economy and replayability. No wonder his fans call him ‘Big Wiz’.
Known for his renowned talent, the Grammy award blog wrote an article on his musical prowess. His Star-Studded Album, ‘Made in Lagos, ' elevates Nigeria and propels the ascent of Afrobeats. Tracks like "Smile," "No Stress,” and "Essence" took over the 2012 summer playlists.
The Grammy Award winner's recent post about his star power has been trending news on social media. The post reads: Everybody Dey finds Big wizzy 😏🩶🦅. This is after an incident of him snubbing a co-star Davido at a club in London. Does Wizkid's star power rival that of the music legends he's often compared to?
Background
Born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on 16 July 1990 in Ojuelegba, Lagos. Young Wizkid grew up listening to King Sunny Ade, Fela Kuti, and Bob Marley. He formed a group called the Glorious Five with his church friends. He adopted the stage name Lil Prinz, which he changed in 2006.
Wizkid signed a record deal with Banky W's Empire Mates Entertainment in 2009. He used to watch and be mentored by early 2000s Nigerian A-listers such as Naeto C, Sound Sultan, and 2Face Idibia.
In 2009, Wizkid signed with Banky W's Empire Entertainment label. During this period, he worked with notable artists like MI, Naeto C, and Ikechukwu. Wizkid started recording his debut studio album Superstar in 2009.
Life and Career
He released the album’s lead single "Holla at Your Boy" in January 2010. The song received nominations for Best Pop Single and earned him the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011.
Wizkid released "Tease Me" as the album's second single on 2 April 2010. The song, at first, was released as a freestyle rap. He also released "Don't Dull," the album's third single on 6 December 2010.
On 12 June 2011, Empire Mates Entertainment released his album Superstar. The tracks were recorded in English and Yoruba. Wizkid incorporated in the album a mixture of genres such as elements of Afrobeats, R&B, dancehall, and reggae. The album won an award and was also nominated.
Wizkid started his international tour in 2012 in London. He also would join EME acts to record and tour after the compilation album Empire Mates State of Mind. Between 2012 and 2014, Wiz worked on his album Ayo with guest appearances from stars like Tyga, Akon, and Wale.
In 2014, Wizkid had a huge fan base. He became the first Nigerian musician to have over one million followers on Twitter. He went on to collaborate with global stars like Drake and Chris Brown in 2015. Wizkid became Nigeria's first artist to be listed on the Billboard chart in 2016 with Drake's Afrobeats-infused and hit "One Dance" single.
In 2019, Wizkid featured on Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl," winning him numerous nominations at major international awards. He earned two Soul Train Music Awards, an NAACP Image Award, a BET Awards, and his first Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
Endorsements
As an A-list artist at home and abroad, big brands/companies want to endorse Wizkid as their brand ambassador. Boomplay attests that his endorsement deals are worth over a billion. They include:
Deal with Pepsi - Worth $350,000
Pepsi and Wizkid entered a year-long deal. The giant beverage company signed Wizkid to be their brand ambassador in 2012 worth $350,000.
Pepsi would then extend their deal with Wizkid for another one year and again for another 5 years. Wizkid made an estimated sum of $ 1.8 million.
Deal with MTN - Worth $115,000
MTN, Nigeria's largest telecommunication company, made Wizkid their brand ambassador in 2013. This deal offered him a 1-year deal worth $115,000. The deal was later renewed for another 2 years. Wizkid made a total sum of $345,000.
Deal with GLO - Worth $328,000.
GLO, MTN's competition in Nigeria offered Big Wiz double what MTN was paying him in 2015. This was at the end of his MTN contract, and he made away with a whopping sum of $328,000.
Deal with Guinness
Wiz signed with the popular alcoholic brand Guinness in 2013 for an undisclosed amount. However, it was reported that the deal was worth millions of Naira.
Deal with Nike - Worth $20,000.
Nike offered Wizkid a 1-year deal worth $20,000 in 2018. The deal was after Nike and NFA reached a 5-year contract. This was renewed for another 1 year.
Deal with Dolce and Gabbana - Worth $10,000
Dolce and Gabbana's $10,000 deal in 2015 saw Wizzy on the walkway. He walked down with British supermodel Naomi Campbell.
Deal with Ciroc
Ciroc offered Big Wiz a super attractive deal to become their brand ambassador. The artist shared this news on his page. The details and monetary value of the deal are undisclosed.
Deal with UBA - Worth $ 3 million.
One of Nigeria's biggest banks, UBA, offered Wiz a deal to be their face in 2019. The deal benefits him an attractive sum of $3 million.
Deal with Tecno - Worth $150,000.
Tecno joined to make Wizkid their brand ambassador in 2020. The deal was worth the sum of $150,000.
Deal with Puma - Worth $ 1 million.
Numbers don't lie. Wizzy also smashed a lucrative deal with Puma. The sportswear company offered Wizkid a deal of $ 1 million to be their ambassador in 2020.
Contract
After years of Big Wiz signing to E.M.E in 2009. He began to have controversies with the record label in 2012. In 2013, Wizkid tweeted a subliminal message and tweaked his Twitter account. He moves out of the company's mansion to acquire his.
He would then leave E.M.E following the second studio album release and the expiration of his five-year contract.
In 2013, Wiz founded Starboy Entertainment. The label signed artists who made hits such as L.A.X, Efya, R2Bees, Terri, and Mr Eazi. The label signed producers like Maleek Berry and Legendury Beatz. Jada manages the Starboy Entertainment label.
Wizkid signed an international deal in 2017. This is a multi-album worldwide record deal with RCA Records, a subsidiary of Sony Music.
Legacy
Big Wiz work received credit for popularizing Afrobeat to a wider audience. This paved the way for other African artists to climb the international stage.
Billboard credited Wizzy to be the first artist to make a major breakthrough in the United States and globally.
The iconic start made the former governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton declared 6 October as "Wizkid day" in the state.
The Nigerian Afrobeats star's song, “Smile and Essence," featured on former US President Obama's playlist twice.
Big Wiz potentials exhibited through success and legacy place him in the Afrobeat hall of fame. He dares to have a seat with Afrobeat legends like Fela Kuti and King Sunny Ade.
Awards and Nominations
Wizkid's cabinet would be screaming glory. His nominations would mean exceptional. Now wonder we call him Big Wiz because of his achievements.
His first Grammy Award was for Best Music Video. He was the lead artist on Beyoncé's "Brown Skin Girl.” He has over earned the following awards:
- Most awarded African artists at the American Music Awards (2),
- MTV Video Music Award (1),
- Soul Train Awards (3)
- Billboard Awards (3)
- iHeartRadio Music Awards (2),
- A tie for the most at BET Awards (4),
- MOBO Awards (6).
- A recipient of an ASCAP plaque for his songwriting contributions to Drake's "One Dance.
- Two Guinness World Records. First song to reach a billion streams on Spotify, and at the time being the most streamed song on Spotify.
- Top 100 most influential Africans by New African magazine in 2019.
- Most awarded artist in The Headies award history.
- 2021 Apple's Music Awards winner for Artist of the Year (Africa).
The artist received double nominations for the Best Global Music Album and the Best Global Music Performance categories. This is in the 64th Annual Grammy Awards for Made in Lagos Deluxe Edition and Essence.” Who is your goat?
"Everybody Dey Find Big Wiz"
You can't have these achievements and not be popular. On another note, Big Wiz and Davido fans stir on social media on who is more prominent. The duo also engages in brutal dragging online. This competition has extended for over a decade now.
With both artists' achievements and fan base. One might say that no one is winning. A video surfaced on October 19 of Wizkid strolling past partying Davido’s table at a club in London.
https://twitter.com/adesope_olajide/status/1847421797500875170?t=mmywmLathecY0RfWgOt69A&s=19
After the snub, Wizkid made the famous tweet. This meant that Davido was the person looking for his validation. Their incessant beef and reunions over the years have caught the attention of spectators, and this time, it is bigger.
Big Wizzy numbers are massive. His new song “Piece of My Heart” ft Brent Faiyaz breaks Spotify Nigeria record. The song released on 18 October records 1.01 million streams on its first day. In fact, he breaks his own record with shared with Asake “MMS” which was 870K.
Conclusion
The Nigerian artist prolific career makes him an icon. Everybody really dey find Big Wiz, weather it's fans, other artists or even bad blood with other artist.
From Ojuelegba, his potential attracted E.M.E to find him. His fan base discovered his voice and called themselves FC. Big brands/companies also sought after him to be their face and ready to splash a big amount to lure him.
Today, international audiences found Afrobeats through Wizzy. He was worth the accolade and nominations he received. Big Wiz set a legacy, tuning into his jam for more.