Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, professionally known as Wizkid, is a Grammy Award-winning Nigerian singer and songwriter born on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria. He began his music career at a young age and rose to stardom in 2010 with the release of Holla at Your Boy under Banky W’s EME Records.
Wizkid released his debut album Superstar in 2011, followed by critically acclaimed projects like Ayo, Sounds From the Other Side, Made in Lagos, and More Love, Less Ego. His global hit Essence featuring Tems became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
He has collaborated with global icons including Drake, Beyoncé, Justin Bieber, and Skepta. Wizkid is widely regarded as a pioneer of Afrobeats’ international expansion and has sold out major venues like the O2 Arena.
Known for his smooth vocals, minimalist style, and influence across fashion and music, Wizkid remains one of Africa’s most influential artists.
🏆 Awards & Recognitions
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2010 – Dynamix All Youth Awards:
Promising Artiste of the Year – Winner
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2011 – Nigerian Entertainment Awards (NEA):
Best New Act – Winner
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2011 – Channel O Music Video Awards:
Most Gifted Newcomer – “Holla at Your Boy” – Nominated / Winner (varies by category/year)
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2011 – City People Entertainment Awards:
Best New Male Artiste – Winner
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2011 – The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards):
Next Rated – Winner
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2012 – BET Awards:
Best International Act: Africa – Winner
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2012 – The Headies:
Artist of the Year – Winner
Hip Hop World Revelation of the Year – Winner
Best R&B/Pop Album – “Superstar” – Winner
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2012 – Ghana Music Awards:
African Artiste of the Year – Winner
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2013 – MOBO Awards:
Best African Act – Winner
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2014 – MOBO Awards:
Best African Act – Winner
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2014 – AFRIMA / AFRIMMA (various African award shows):
Nominations and wins across Best African Act / Best West African categories – Winner / Nominated
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2015 – BET Awards:
Best International Act: Africa – Winner
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2015 – AFRIMA / AFRIMMA:
Song of the Year – “Ojuelegba” – Nominated / Winner (varies by ceremony)
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2016 – MTV Europe Music Awards (EMA):
Best Worldwide Act – Winner
Best African Act – Winner
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2016 – SoundCity / Local Awards:
Multiple wins/recognitions including Digital Artist / African Artist awards – Winner
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2017 – Billboard Music Awards:
Top Streaming Song (Audio) – “One Dance” (Drake ft. Wizkid & Kyla) – Winner
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2017 – Various International Nominations:
Multiple nominations/wins related to international collaborations (e.g., Billboard, AMA nominations) – Nominated / Winner
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2019 – MOBO / African Awards:
Continued wins and nominations in MOBO, AFRIMA and other continental award shows – Winner / Nominated
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2020 – BET Awards:
Best International Act – Winner
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2019–2021 – Various US / Intl Awards:
Recognitions and plaques (ASCAP credit for “One Dance”, other songwriting/production acknowledgements) – Awarded / Recognized
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2021 – Grammy Awards (63rd GRAMMYs):
Best Music Video – “Brown Skin Girl” (Beyoncé, Blue Ivy & Wizkid) – Winner
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2021 – MOBO Awards:
Best African Music Act / Best International Act – Winner
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2022 – NAACP Image Awards:
Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album – “Essence” (with Tems) – Winner
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2022 – BET Awards:
Best Collaboration – “Essence” (Justin Bieber & Tems / Wizkid credited) – Winner
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2022 – Billboard Music Awards:
Top R&B Collaboration – “Essence” – Winner
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2022 – Soul Train Music Awards:
Best Collaboration – “Essence” – Winner
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2022 – The Headies:
Album of the Year – “Made in Lagos” – Winner
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2023 – iHeartRadio Music Awards:
Afrobeats Artist of the Year – Winner
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2024–2025 – Continental & Intl Awards:
Continued nominations/wins across MOBO, AFRIMA, NAACP and other shows; song/album specific awards and recognitions – Winner / Nominated
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Other notable recognitions:
Most-awarded African artist at BET, Soul Train, Billboard and MOBO (per aggregated awards counts); ASCAP plaque for “One Dance”; multiple industry lifetime/honorary recognitions – Awarded / Recognized
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About the Artist
Wizkid (born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990) is a Nigerian singer and songwriter known for pioneering Afrobeat's global rise. He gained prominence with his 2011 debut album Superstar and rose to international fame after featuring on Drake’s hit song "One Dance" in 2016. Wizkid has become one of Africa’s most influential and awarded music artists.
