Nicki Minaj expresses admiration, love for Wizkid
In a recent live stream on StationHead, American rapper Nicki Minaj expressed her deep admiration for Nigerian music star Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun.
During the stream, she described him as “very cool and chill,” highlighting his intelligence and grounded personality. Minaj stated, “He’s really that guy, very smart. I have much love and respect for him.”
Minaj recounted their first meeting in 2018 while she was working on her album “Queen” in a studio located in Queens, New York. Despite ongoing rumors about a potential collaboration between the two artists over the years, no official songs have been released together or confirmed as unreleased tracks.
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Wizkid is known for his significant contributions to the Afrobeats genre and has gained international acclaim through collaborations with various global artists, including Drake and Beyoncé. His rise to fame began with hits like “One Dance,” which helped introduce Afrobeats to a wider audience.
Nicki Minaj’s comments reflect not only her personal admiration for Wizkid but also acknowledge his impact on the global music scene as an influential figure in Afrobeats.
Wizkid was born on July 16, 1990, in Ojuelegba, Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria. Growing up in a large interfaith family with twelve siblings, he faced significant challenges during his formative years. His passion for music emerged early; he began recording at the age of 11 and initially performed under the name “Lil Prinz.” After signing with Banky W’s Empire Mates Entertainment (E.M.E) in 2009, Wizkid gained recognition with his debut single “Holla at Your Boy,” which set the stage for his first album, Superstar, released in 2011. This album showcased a blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and reggae influences and earned him several awards.
Rise to International Fame
Wizkid’s career took a monumental turn in 2016 when he collaborated with Canadian rapper Drake on the hit single “One Dance.” The song topped charts worldwide and made Wizkid the first Afrobeats artist to achieve significant international acclaim. Following this success, he signed a multi-album deal with RCA Records and released his third studio album, Sounds from the Other Side, in 2017. His subsequent projects continued to solidify his status as a global music icon. Notably, his fourth album Made in Lagos (2020) featured the groundbreaking track “Essence,” which became the first Nigerian song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
Legacy and Influence
Wizkid is often credited with popularizing Afrobeats on a global scale. His unique sound—a fusion of traditional African rhythms with contemporary pop elements—has inspired countless artists across Africa and beyond. He has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including Grammy Awards and multiple Billboard Music Awards. Beyond music, Wizkid uses his platform to advocate for social issues affecting Nigeria and African youth. His journey from humble beginnings to international stardom serves as an inspiration for many aspiring musicians around the world.
