“Wizkid Biography: Real Name, Net Worth, Early Life & Career – Full Wizkid Profile”

 

Name / Real Name:
Wizkid’s real name is Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun. (Wikipedia)

Stage Names / Aliases:
He is professionally known as Wizkid, and has also gone by Starboy, Big Wiz, Wizzy, and Machala. (Wikipedia)

Date of Birth:
Wizkid was born on 16 July 1990. (Wikipedia)

Place of Birth / Origin:
He was born in Ojuelegba, a suburb in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. (Wikipedia)

Early Life and Background

• Family & Childhood:
  Wizkid was born into a large, interfaith family. His father practiced Islam, while his mother was a Christian. (BioChemistri)

• Education:
  He attended Ijebu Ode Grammar School in Ogun State. (BioChemistri)
  Later, he enrolled at Lagos State University (LASU), and also at Lead City University in Ibadan; however, he dropped out to fully focus on music. (JustNaija)

• Musical Beginnings:
  Wizkid’s musical journey began at a very young age. At 11 years old, he started recording music. (Wikipedia)
  During this time, he performed under the name “Lil Prinz” and formed a gospel group called The Glorious Five with some of his church friends. (BioChemistri)
  He released a collaborative album with this group before eventually going solo. (Wikipedia)

Music Career

1. Breakthrough & Early Career

   • In 2009, Wizkid signed a professional deal with Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E), the label co-founded by Banky W. (Wikipedia)

   • His breakout single, “Holla at Your Boy,” was released in 2010. (Wikipedia)

   • That song became part of his debut studio album titled Superstar, released in 2011. The album also featured hits like “Tease Me/Bad Guys” and “Don’t Dull.” (Wikipedia)

2. Rise to International Fame

   • In September 2014, he released his second studio album, Ayo, with singles such as “Jaiye Jaiye.” (Wikipedia)

   • A major turning point came in 2016 when he collaborated with Drake on the song “One Dance”, which became a global smash hit and reached number one in multiple countries. (Wikipedia)

   • Beyond that, Wizkid has worked with a variety of international superstars and continued to cement his place on the world stage through both his solo work and collaborations.

3. Later Projects & Label

   • He eventually left E.M.E after his contract expired. (Wikipedia)

   • Wizkid founded his own label imprint, Starboy Entertainment, through which he has signed and mentored other artists. (Naijabiography Media)

   • One of his most celebrated works is the album Made in Lagos, which includes the massive hit “Essence.” (His discography also features other albums, EPs, and countless singles.) (ourdailygist.com)

4. Awards & Recognition

   • Wizkid has won numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for “Brown Skin Girl” (with Beyoncé). (VerseNews Nigeria)

   • He is widely credited as one of the leading figures in the global Afrobeats movement. (forbesng.com)

Personal Life

• Wizkid is a father: he has multiple children. (JustNaija)

• In August 2023, his mother, Jane Balogun, passed away. (punchngs.com)

• Despite his fame, he often keeps a relatively low profile when it comes to his personal matters. (GQ)

Net Worth / Wealth

• Estimates of Wizkid’s net worth vary across sources:

  • According to VerseNews, his net worth is around US$35 million (as of 2024). (VerseNews Nigeria)

  • Another source (Daily Entertainment Gist) suggests his net worth in 2025 might range from US$40–70 million, depending on his tours, brand deals, and other ventures. (ourdailygist.com)

  • Famous Biography also estimates his 2025 net worth at US$40 million. (Famous Biography)

  • (Some earlier sources like Naijabiography list a lower estimate, but more up-to-date and authoritative ones suggest his wealth is substantially higher.) (Naijabiography Media)

• Major sources of income for Wizkid include: music sales & streaming, international tours, brand endorsements (e.g., Pepsi, MTN), and his own record label. (Wikipedia)

Legacy & Impact

• Wizkid is one of the most influential African artists of his generation, especially in popularizing Afrobeats globally. (forbesng.com)

• His collaborations with global stars like Drake and Beyoncé helped bridge African music with mainstream global audiences. (Wikipedia)

• Through Starboy Entertainment, he continues to nurture emerging talent, expanding his impact beyond just his own music. (Naijabiography Media)

• Beyond his artistry, his story — from humble beginnings in Surulere to global stages — is often held up as inspiration for aspiring African musicians.