Wizkid named MTV Base Artist of the Month

To tie in with the release of Wizkid’s latest album Ayo (“joy” in Yoruba, and short for his real name, Ayodeji Balogun), MTV Base is backing Wizkid with a month of programmes dedicated to his rise in the industry.

 

Wizkid, who started out singing in church in Lagos, Nigeria at the age of 11, burst onto the music scene in 2010 with the hit “Tease Me”. His debut album Superstar (2011) firmly cemented his place in African music’s Afro-Beat pantheon, taking over dance floors and charts throughout Africa, and allowing him to make his first major moves on the international music scene.

 

In 2012, Wizkid sold out his headlining performance at London’s famed Hammersmith Apollo, before putting in an unforgettable live set at BBC Radio 1Xtra Live. More recently, he performed at this summer’s London’s Wireless Festival. The recognition Wizkid has received over the past few years from both the industry and public alike has been nothing short of impressive: in 2011, he won the MOBO award for Best African Act, and took home a BET Award in 2012 for Best International Act: Africa. The star has also notched up three nominations for the MTV EMAs, and garnered two nominations for the 2014 MTV Africa Music Awards, for Best Male, and Best Collaboration.

 

International collaborations

 

2014 sees Wizkid busier than ever, collaborating with American rapper Wale on a track called “Drop”, and recording with Ty Dolla $ign, Big Sean, Chris Brown and Rihanna. Tracks from his new album feature Tyga and Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti. 

 

 

As well as being a recording and performing artist, Wizkid owns his own record label, StarBoy. He recently landed an exciting new management deal with Disturbing London that will help to raise his profile and expose him to an even broader audience in the UK and Europe.

 

Commented Tim Horwood, channel director, MTV Base, “We’ve noticed the connection Wizkid has had with his fans since he exploded on the scene in 2010 with an ability for hit-making and seducing crowds with his epic live shows. It’s been amazing to see how well he’s done in Africa in a relatively short time, and it’s even more exciting to see him put the work in that’s resulted in international deals, shows and collaborations. We want to propel him even further by crowning him MTV Base Artist of the Month.”

 

For more on Wizkid as Artist of the Month, go to www.mtvbase.com.