Afrobeats star, Ayodeji Balogun otherwise known as Wizkid, was recently interviewed by British supermodel, Naomi Campbell. During the interview which lasted over 40 minutes, the Star Boy as fondly called talked about how Afro-beat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s music inspires him. Other things he discussed in the interview, were his childhood, experience with fatherhood, and what his first performance at the age of 11 looked like.
Excerpt…
I saw you on Saturday. What were you doing?
I was in Guinea; I came back from London and returned to Lagos it’s always like that during Christmas.
You have done up to two or three shows in December?
That is normal because of the COVID-19 Restrictions, I decided to do very few shows and return home. I was out for almost one year.
Did you remember the first time we met?
I don’t remember the first day we met because we have a lot of amazing memories. I can’t remember the exact time we met, not the first day. The memories are just many and are good ones.
You were the first Afro-beat singer to sell out 02. How did you feel about that?
That felt amazing. You know it has always been my dream. I love moving and working together with other artistes, so when I had the opportunity to go to the O2, I had to do a Wizkid concert. I was like I want an African festival, where we can have different African artistes in the room, I’m talking of something like 20,000 artistes, I just felt that would feel great. I would have hated myself if I had not done it. It was an amazing experience seeing my friends, and colleagues on that 02 stage that Saturday night. I remember it was a premier league night too, it was crazy to have sold out the show… To me, it just feels amazing, something like that happening, I never thought about having a lot of people watching you.
How do you pronounce your name?
Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun
What is your childhood like?
My childhood was amazing. I grew up in the mainland part of Lagos, Surulere. I grew up among a lot of sisters. my dad had like 10/11 of us, I was the last child and the only boy from my mother. It was exciting and fun, I got a lot of love as a young child. When I was like 10, I was always getting beaten up, I got into trouble too often. Just like every normal child. I got into too many troubles (Laughs). And I always put my sisters like yeah, they were coming for me. I was lucky to have amazing sisters. I love my sisters; they really looked out for me.
You started performing at the age of 11…where was your first performance?
It was in church and I think that was one of the earliest memories of my life as an artiste. I will never forget that because I had invited my sisters and mom to come and watch me. I remember when I was about going on stage, I looked at my sisters’ faces, and I busted into laughter. I managed to comport myself; went on stage and did my thing.
What happened when you found your passion?
I just knew exactly it was something I wanted to do. Sometimes as a kid, you love different things, you try to find what your passion is but to me, the first time I got the mic and got on stage, it was like it couldn’t be anything else. Nothing in the world.
Talk to me about your convergence of African music and hop music?
There is a lot of similarity in that because at the end of the day, you draw inspiration from different places that’s why you can have sounds like afro-pop music or songs. It is the combination of afro music and pop music. Everyone draws inspiration from everybody.
How did Fela Kuti Inspire you?
Wow, in a lot of ways, you know. I can’t quantify the amount, because he still inspires me by the day. Fela, his music and artistry are second to none. Because at that time, for an African musician to produce that kind of life and amazing music, it was crazy. It’s many years down the line and his sounds are still amazing. Every instrument of his blows my mind. His music still lives on, more people listened to it and paid attention to it. So, I was like I want to make music like that. He is a big inspiration to me. His music and artistry inspire.
Explain to me, when you started your first album, were you going into afro-pop or afro-beat?
When I was doing my first album, I didn’t really have a formula or how I wanted to sound. I was just making music. So, whatever sound I produced, I just put it out. it wasn’t like there was a plan or strategy to use. I put out my first song, people loved it and yeah let’s put out another song. I just kept on putting out records, there was really no strategy, but as music evolves and you grow, you need to find a place for yourself as a musician so that people can hear it.
There are two albums, you didn’t put out…..
Like I said Fela is a big inspiration to my music. I have always had this on my head of where we do so excellently. With my music, everyone thinks the music is nice at that time, we were drinking and smoking but sometimes you just have to step back and listen. That is what I do. When I make music, I step back and listen to it. If I was this guy on the street, what does this make me feel? I make music every day, it is very important to pick, it must feel right. If it doesn’t, I won’t put it out.
Is Nigeria likely to go through a positive change?
100%, there is definitely a time that will happen. It’s been years of the same shit. The crazy thing is, if you listen to Fela records, the things he said in his records, are still the same thing that is affecting normal human beings right now. Nothing has really changed. There is still a need for change. I feel like people need to be nicer to people and the government needs to do what they need to do. Nigeria is amazing. If you look at it, that is why I feel like Nigeria is such an amazing place because in the midst of all the madness, we still collectively take pride in some of the amazing musicians, talents, smartest people in tech, who came from here. That is what is amazing to me. In the midst of all the madness, there are smart people. If there are certain things put in place, of course, it’s going to be better. Talking of an affordable-quality education -the youths are the leaders of tomorrow, some of the youths we are talking about, are like over 30 now, nothing has changed.
How did you feel about music award shows?
First, I’m not a big fan of awards, and I have been very vocal about that. My fans know that. The award doesn’t show who you are or define your success or how amazing you are because at the end of the day, you need to understand that award is a company going together, so that doesn’t define our greatness. I don’t care about it; as long as my music is touching the right people, the right way and they are feeling something the right way, I’m fine, that is my reward. God bless everyone.
Tell me, how did you come up with Starboy and which one is first… Starboy or Wizkid?
It was Wizkid first. I remembered when I dropped my first album, when I dropped a couple of songs, I go out on the street, like some clubs and when I leave the kids would hail me. If I wasn’t a musician, I will probably be on the streets because I am not from a rich home. I changed the life of my family. I was blessed to be able to bless everyone. God used me as a blessing, so if I wasn’t making music I will be on the streets like every normal kid on the street.
Is it that music saved your life?
Music saved my life and the people that I love. It changed everything. I don’t know about anyone else, but my life definitely changed, and all thanks to music for that.
How do you deal with the Wizkid effect?
I don’t think too much about that. I love people and grow in a very loving and amazing family. I was brought up to always stick out my neck, look out for people that is what our parents taught us to be, even though we didn’t have much, we shared something and that was important for me. I am never going to change. I love people.
Some of the big names you have done a collaboration with are the likes of Drake. Would you say have a huge contribution to his career and legacy?
Yeah sure, I would not say I am a huge contribution because I don’t ever see myself as bringing in a lot but what I will say is, at that time, it was amazing for both parties.
Is there any musician that you want to collaborate with that you haven’t yet?
I don’t think about collaborating with artistes. I let it happen, but I keep a very open mind when it comes to collaboration, because you never know where you get the best stuff from. I like to be friends with who I work with because it is just easier when you are with your friends, there’s no ego, you guys are just there making music, one is trying to be a celebrity because I am always me. I don’t change for you.
Tell me about your fashion?
I am meaner, I am my own style. 100%. From where I came, we have been playing with the Star Boy brand. And doing some stuffs together. A little piece here and there. One thing is whatever I want to do, I do it to the full ability. When it comes to fashion, I want something amazing. I need time to get it because I know what I want. So, I need to dedicate time to that.
Do you draw?
Yes, but I am terrible at it. Although, I can sketch out what I want to do.
Are you considering doing your documentary?
Yes, I am. I have been shooting one for years. In the documentary, I want to tell my story, and that’s what is going to inspire me to execute it, you know, me watching D’banj, 2face, and P-square. I remember the first time I saw P-square posted a picture. They had like thousands of people. I asked myself, how did they get these people. I need to do that. And I remember the first time I did a show and I had that kind of crowd. it was one of the most emotional days for me. That inspired me a lot.
I don’t joke with shows that people gain, shows that show how far we’ve gone because I know how watching these people did to me. So, I want to make sure that the right young minds are being feed the right thing.
What is your life as a father like?
I feel at peace relaxed, and old. I have three kids that I love so much with all of my life, they changed my life. I live for them, Zion is amazing. I love it when my kids are in the room when I do stuff. They are my joy.
How do you unwind?
I don’t do much. I just love the beach. There is just something you get from the beach. It’s just calm.
This album (Made in Lagos), you should be so proud, the quality, flow, sound, and smoothness…
This is one of the favorite albums I have ever made. It is something I am very proud of. I am very proud of the musicians I worked with. I worked with my friends -SARS, Legendary Beats. Interestingly, I have been working with these amazing guys since my first album…
How has COVID-19 been for you?
It’s been crazy for all of us. To be honest, I feel like it was a very positive thing. I am sorry to say that because I know a lot of people say it has a bad side but I literally didn’t go nowhere. My house, studios, shows back in my house, maybe go grab something with my friends and I am back. I don’t go out, so COVID was just like giving you more time to stay in and at the same time, pay attention to some stuffs, it just helped me spend more time with my family because I am a big family man. I haven’t spent time with my family in a long time, so this year I appreciate it more than anything. We are human with the survival instinct, we are like, it’s COVID then but you try to find your happiness from your mistakes and just keep it moving. I feel COVID was a bitter –sweet experience for the world. I feel like that is the biggest test God has ever tested us.
I am so happy that police brutality is a conversation, I understand how powerful that voice which is one thing what I always stood by. I like to speak however I like
How did you feel when you saw everything that happened?
I felt amazed like I was harassed by the police countless times before I could get away from it. I was arrested of course, I was dealt with, slapped by the police so many times, it is normal but that is not supposed to be normal so for me, the fact that it happened I was so overjoyed. I was very vocal at that time. No electricity, bad roads, no job, terrible schools, you get out of school, you graduate and there’s still no job, so what is the point? We are already dealing with those things daily, but going outside and getting arrested shouldn’t be added to it. That can’t be controlled. So, we need to fix that because it is a terrible thing getting g beating and arrested for the most ridiculous things ever. Some people lost their lives for the most ridiculous things. So, it’s just sad to watch. It’s the right time for us to speak up as one voice. This is the time to spread love. The world is going through these crazy times. If you don’t believe or know anything, going through this would have taught you everything you need to know about humans. What is important is to love people around you spread love every time you can. Music is however the best healer.