Wizkid

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun in Lagos, Nigeria, is one of the most influential figures in modern Afrobeats. He began singing in church as a child and grew increasingly serious about music in his teens, eventually being mentored by fellow Nigerian artist Naeto C, who helped shape his early sound.

His 2011 debut album Superstar, featuring the breakout single «Holla at Your Boy», introduced him to a wide Nigerian audience and brought collaborations with artists like Banky W. After a more subdued reception for his 2014 follow-up Ayo, Wizkid's international profile surged when he was featured on Drake's «One Dance» in 2016, a song that helped bring Afrobeats rhythms into global pop consciousness. His third album, Sounds from the Other Side, followed in 2017 and further cemented his crossover appeal.

Wizkid's sound blends Afrobeats with pop, R&B, and dancehall influences, marked by melodic, laid-back vocal delivery over percussive, danceable production. Songs such as «Come Closer», «Essence», and «Ojuelegba» showcase this style and its wide appeal, and his catalogue reflects extensive collaboration across Nigerian, American, and international artists, positioning him as a key architect of Afrobeats' global rise.