In Bed with Wizkid

Interview: Mpona Lebajoa

We just had to make this another #starboymonday with the StarBoy himself as we had the privilege of catching up with this gentleman who may just be one of the most misunderstood artists on the continent. As we prepared Wizkid for the shoot, outfit after outfit, scene after scene, we had him in postures he had never been seen in before and he seemed excited as he followed the direction to the letter. A crew member whispers to me, “he’s the coolest person in this room” and yes he was. He had no airs but you could feel his celebrated personality permeate the entire space.

Wizkid stays winning and still, he rises above every challenging speculation with his signature “shy smile.” He is a young man who has had the most interesting rise to superstardom. Discovered and signed to the Empire Mates Entertainment record label by Banky W, he would later strike out on new paths with his StarBoy Records and still, he rises.

As we attempt to take a peek into his mind and understand what makes him tick, we remember that this is one man who has been involved in numerous controversies, from recent Linda Ikeji feud to social media battle with Davido and speculations as to how and why he left his former record label. However, we get a sense that he has since moved on as still, he rises!

Wizkid is not only a fan favourite, a ladies man, and well, a superstar in his own right, he’s also forever ambitious and pushing the boundaries. Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, better known as Wizkid, began his music career in church aged only 11, releasing his first album produced by legendary music OJBz and making money off his music for the first time; N30,000 – a huge deal then for an 11-year-old star boy in the making. Years later, Wiz stormed the Nigerian music scene back in 2009 with his infectious hook on Nigerian rapper MI’s instant hit “Fast Money Fast Cars” and has been on the rise ever since. First came the crowd pleasers “Holla at Your Boy”, “Tease Me”, “Don’t Dull”, “Love My Baby”, “Pakurumo”and “Oluwa Lo Ni” from his debut studio album Superstar, then came numerous nominations and awards including a 2012 BET Award for Best International Act Africa, a 2013 MOBO Award for Best African Act, three Headies to name but a few. Then came his signing to Disturbing London and his sophomore album, the self-titled Ayo featuring hit singles “JaiyeJaiye”, "On Top Your Matter", "One Question", "Joy", "Bombay" and "Show You The Money" and guest appearances from Femi Kuti, BankyW, Seyi Shay, Phyno, Tyga, Akon and Wale.

In 2013 Wizkid was ranked 5th on Forbes and Channel O's 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artists, and In February 2014, he became the first ever Nigerian musician to have over 1 million followers on Twitter.

Now, aged only 26, he’s got the world at his feet, his place amongst the stars and way more than 30K lining his pocket, and plans to continue taking over the world. WIzkid may have postponed his album release but been teasing his fans with releases from his forthcoming EP – Sounds From The Other Side. He talks about naming his previous album Ayo, “I was really out of ideas actually to be honest. We had a couple of names, like six names and I just kept going back and forth and in the end I was like why don’t I just call it Ayo everyone knows my name’s Ayo and the album’s supposed to bring happiness and joy to the listeners and that was the first thing that was in my head while I was making this album, and it was only right to name the album after myself and I did.”

From collaborating with Femi Kuti, Banky W, Sheyi Shay, MI and other phenomenal Nigerian acts to international collaborations with Akon, Tyga, Wale, Chris Brown to Drake’s One Dance, Wizkid seems to love partnerships – “I’m a nice guy, I just say yes to everyone. I find it hard to say no especially when you’re actually talented. I love to work with talents. Everywhere I go I just jump in the studio with everyone that’s talented. I love to work with people and I just go with the flow man. If I like your music and I feel like we can create magic together then let’s just do it.”

On his sound change, Wizkid says,

“It’s just fresh, you know; I always say my sound is fresh and different and a fusion of everything; from reggae to dancehall to high life to afro-beats. So I just try and infuse everything and create something different. I try as much as possible to just switch up the sound every time because I know people are going to get bored – so I just switch it up.” He goes on to further talk about the acceptance of his new and evolving style, “It’s been crazy actually. A week after we dropped the album I had to do my show in London and Manchester and I was shocked that people were singing along word-for-word. A big shout out to my fans for following me, I wouldn’t be here or anywhere without them.”

On being the African Justin Bieber…

I’m a little older now but it’s all good. He’s doing well, I’ve met him before and he’s an amazing person, an amazing talent. So it’s not a bad thing to be compared to someone who’s doing well. If I was being compared to someone who wasn’t doing so well I’d be mad – Justin Bieber’s not a bad comparison. But I know people know Wizkid for Wizkid that’s the most important part.

On how fame has been treating him…

Both ways man, nice and sometimes it’s just…different; sometimes with the bad press and everything...I don’t want to say any other word [laughs]. But it doesn’t get to me anymore to be honest; I just keep it moving and channel all that energy into making music and working on my craft.

On the best perks – give us some deets, Wiz!

I get to see the world and travel the world. I get to shop a lot [laughs] I love to shop, man! I get to meet beautiful girls – I like girls, man [laughs] so I get to meet beautiful girls all over the world and just see the world, learn new things and experience different things.

On being a ladies man, from girls fainting at his concerts…

Sometimes, sometimes [laughs]…

On being modest… c’mon how are you doing it?

I don’t even know myself. Sometimes I look in the mirror like “This guy, really? He’s nothing special”[laughs] but it is what it is. I guess it’s the music though…I think it’s the music. You tell me, are you trying to tell me something? [laughs]

Oh goodness, let’s back track…so, onto your new collection…

I’ve got a new line I’m working on. I’ve got my snap backs and I’ve got t-shirts and a shoe line I’m working on that should come round before the end of next year. I’ve not done much fashion wise and my fans have been waiting for years for me to make something so it’s only right to just give them a little piece of me. Something I would rock you know – we’re one people, one family, one love.

He’s getting deep on us…

I love my fans. You don’t understand, they send me messages when I’m low, it’s like they know. When I put up message about how I’m stressed, you see DMs like ‘Oh are you okay? Get some rest.’ You get some genuine ones and some wash-wash ones but it’s all good still, it’s all love. I love my fans.

On what else we can expect…

Taking over the world, taking the music global.

So there you have it, Wizkid is taking over the world (literally) in 2016. Keep up with his tour with Chris Brown, his upcoming EP, clothing line and more. Him being him we’re sure he’ll be keeping his fans happy. Still, he rises.