21st August, 2024
By Taiwo Okanlawon
Nigerian music superstar, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has said he was the first young Nigerian artiste to hit stardom.
The ‘Essence’ crooner acknowledged his parents for giving him the freedom to chase his dreams.
He, however, stated that even his parents were initially pessimistic about his chances of making it in the music industry.
“I was the first young artist to ever blow up on the [Nigerian music] scene. So my parents didn’t even believe that there was a chance in that,” he said per Uplift X.
“Every parents, of course, when they see their kid growing up and you’re making a big career decision that they’re not sure about, especially coming from Africa; living in a home where your mom is a Christian and your dad is a Muslim, and they never had an argument about the religion or what the kids wanted to do… My dad would be like, do whatever you want. If you want to be a Muslim or Christian, you’re free, do whatever you like.
“I love my parents so much. That’s something that has helped me become who I am today. All I understood was love was the only thing that kept them together for so long.”
Wizkid had announced that he would release a new album in memory of his late mother who passed away on August 18, 2023, in London.
The album is titled ‘Morayo’, his mother’s middle name.
Born on July 14, 1957, Jane Morayo is survived by her husband,, Muniru Olatunji Balogun, and four children.
Her children are Yetunde Balogun, Omolara Osunkoya, Olubusayo Balogun, and Ayodeji ‘Wizkid’ Balogun.
Born in Surulere on July 16, 1990, Wizkid grew up in a polygamous home with a Muslim father and a Christian mother.
