Wizkid was born on July 16, 1990 in Lagos, Nigeria. He comes from a large family and is the last of six children. In an interview with Tim Westwood, he stated that his father has three wives. Wizkid started singing at age 11; he sang in his church's choir and released a 7 track album entitled "Lil Prinz". His first song featured one of Nigeria's celebrated musical icon, OJB Jezreel.[15] Moreover, in 2006, he collaborated with Naeto C and Ikechukwu prior to rising to stardom. In 2009, Wizkid became a household name within Nigeria's musical landscape; he was featured on M.I's "Fast Money, Fast Cars", and Kel's "Turn by Turn". Wizkid was also featured on Banky W's album, The W Experience, after getting signed to Empire Mates Entertainment.
During an interview with Factory 78 TV, Wizkid described his life in a nutshell. He said
| “ | It all started for me when I was eleven years old. It started in church for me. I've always been a church boy. I didn't like the choir; I never wanted to be part of the choir. Then I like rap. I called a couple of my friends then in church. It was three of us. We should come together and form a group called 'Glorious Five'. We started it then and dropped an album. After that, I met with OJB and when I met him, he allowed me come to the studio more often. I was just that kid around. I watched 2 face record Grass 2 Grace and watched Sound Sultan record Jagbajantis. I watched them record their biggest hits. For a year, I was always going to the studio but never recorded. After that time, he gave me an opportunity to record one song. He didn't allow me record because he wanted me to be better. When you have that hunger to record, you just keep getting better. When I recorded my first song, I recorded it in Surulere. I dropped it in the hood and everybody was just popping to it asking who's this guy? Most of my friends were older than I was so It was hard for me breaking into the industry. I met Naeto C when I was 15 and then I used to write and tell him Naeto, listen to this. He used to tell me 'change this, you will sound more real.' I've always been around music. Music has always been my thing. Later on, I met my manager 5 years ago. After that, things started happening. M.I came to Lagos. We met and became friends. I when to M.I's house and he told me, 'Wizzy, I have this beat', listen to it." I listened to it for 10 seconds and told him give me the mic. Before I knew it, everyone told me I love this song.[16] | ” |
When asked to describe his relationship with Banky W, Wizkid said "Banky W is one of the first people that has ever believed in me. The first day he met me, the way he was talking about me, I was shock. Before we started working, we were friends, I used to go to his studio. After that time, we recorded "Omoge You Too Much". I co wrote a couple of songs on his album. He was there for me as a big brother. I really appreciate that. Banky is like a big brother figure. We've never had issues. He has never raised his voice at me. I understand him already and know he doesn't like this. He loves it when I bring about new materials. When I'm going to the studio, he's very excited. He believes so much in me and I'm so happy about that."[16]
World tours and performances
To complement the release of their album, Wizkid, Banky W, and Skales announced their 2011 Empire World Tour. The tour started on June 24 at the Lincoln Theater in Washington DC, followed by Variety Playhouse Theater in Alanta, Georgia on July 2, Auditorium at Museum of Science & Industry in Chicago, Illinois on July 9, AYVA Center in Houston, Texas on July 15, Grand Ballroom in New York on July 16, and California Theater in San Jose, California on July 23. The tour featured a live band, full stage productions, and onstage dancers. As an incentive, concert attendees who purchased advance tickets to the aforementioned tour received Wizkid's "Superstar" album as a token.[17] Wizkid toured London in 2012 and performed at the HMV Apollo on June 4, 2012 in London, England.[18] On November 12, 2012, Wizkid performed at the BBC 1xtra Live 02 Academy in Brixton alongside Trey Songz, Tulisa, Kendrick Lamar, and Angel.[19]Collaborations
Since the genesis of his career, numerous artists have featured him on their records. He was featured on M.I.'s "Fast Money, Fast Cars", Lynxxx's "Fine Lady", Iyanya's "Sexy Mama", Ice Prince's "Aboki Remix" and "Olofofo", Bracket's "Girl", R2Bees' "Slow Down", Maleek Berry's "The Matter" and "Your Love", Sarz's "Samba (Beat of Life)", Samini's "Time Bomb", Olamide's "Omo To Shan", Samklef's "Molowo Noni", 2Kriss' "Good Life", Wande Coal's "For Me", Chidinma's "Emi Ni Baller (Remix)", Flakes' "Go Down", Omawumi's "Warn Yourself", EME's "Get Down Tonight" and "Baddest Boy", elDee's "Never Let You Go", Jiron's "No Fronting", Jayru's "Familiarity", Durella's "Gaga", Yung6ix's "Follow Me", Basketmouth's "Where You Dey", and Camp Mulla's "Prices". In an interview with Ndani TV, Wizkid said he worked with Wale, and fans can expect the record to be on his upcoming album. He also hinted to working with Young Jeezy and the Game.[20] He said he's not sure when they will release the features.2011:Superstar
Wizkid began recording songs for his debut album, "Superstar", several months prior to the June 12, 2011 release. The album features guest appearances by Banky W, Skales, D'Prince, and Wande Coal. The album's production was handled by E-Kelly, Jay Sleek, Shizzi, DJ Klem, Sunny Nweke, Q-Beats and Samklef; the latter produced 6 tracks on the album. Following the route Nigerian musicians take when releasing albums, Wizkid hosted a concert at the Eko Hotel & Suites' Expo Hall on June 12, 2011. The concert featured Banky W, Skales, Tuface Idibia, Samklef, Wande Coal, D’Prince, Olamide, ELDee, Jesse Jagz, Ice Prince, Lynxx, and Seyi Shay.[21]History of Nigerian Music
The music of Nigeria includes many kinds of Folk and popular music, some of which are known worldwide. Styles of folk music are related to the multitudes of ethnic groups in the country, each with their own techniques, instruments, and songs. Little is known about the country's music history prior to European contact, although bronze carvings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries have been found depicting musicians and their instruments.
Nigeria has been called "the heart of African music" because of its role in the development of West African highlife and palm-wine music, which fuses native rhythms with techniques imported from the Congo for the development of several popular styles that were unique to Nigeria, like apala, fuji, jùjú, highlife, and Yo-pop. Subsequently, Nigerian musicians created their own styles of United States hip hop music and Jamaican reggae. Nigeria's musical output has achieved international acclaim not only in the fields of folk and popular music, but also Western art music written by composers such as Fela Sowande.
Polyrhythms, in which two or more separate beats are played simultaneously, are a part of much of traditional African music; Nigeria is no
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exception. The African hemiola style, based on the asymmetric rhythm pattern is an important rhythmic technique throughout the continent. Nigerian music also uses ostinato rhythms, in which a rhythmic pattern is repeated despite changes in metre.
Nigeria has some of the most advanced recording studio technology in Africa, and provides robust commercial opportunities for music performers. Ronnie Graham, an historian who specialises in West Africa, has attributed the success of the Nigerian music industry to the country's culture—its "thirst for aesthetic and material success and a voracious appetite for life, love and music, [and] a huge domestic market, big enough to sustain artists who sing in regional languages and experiment with indigenous styles". However, political corruption and rampant music piracy in Nigeria has hampered the industry's growth.
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