Confident, playful and down-to-earth are some of the words that best describe the person of Ayo Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid. Over the years, the Wizkid brand has evolved meteorically. From E.M.E’s top act to Star Boy boss and working with Disturbing London, an international label. In this interview with MERCY MICHAEL, the vibrant young man speaks on working with Tuface, Chris Brown as he talks about his five-year plan for Star Boy, career and other things.
WHAT is the most challenging song you’ve written?
I would say is Jaiye Jaiye. When I made Jaiye Jaiye, I didn’t know if people were ready to accept the song, so I needed something to pretty much make it really special because that song is really special to me. When I called Femi Kuti, and he told me yes, he’s going to do it. I was shocked because I didn’t think he would tell me yes straight away. I called him that day, we recorded the next day. So I had to go back to the studio that night to re-do the song, to make sure he’s not disappointed. I think Jaiye Jaiye is the most challenging song I’ve written.
You talked about Jaiye, Jaiye which happens to be the intro of song in your sophomore album. How would you describe the album? And what has been the reaction of people?
Talking about the album, everyone is loving the tracks. Every day, people discover new songs on that album. It feels really good because when I was making this album, I was trying to make a conscious decision not to change my style too much because many people are now having this thing in their head that because I’m working with international artistes I’m trying to change what I sound like, which is not true.
I’m never going to change what I am. I’m never going to change my music for anyone. A song like Jaiye, Jaiye for instance, mo fe ko le fun mama mi, mo de f era le fun baba mi. I’m sure everyone wants to do the same thing or have done the same thing. It’s a special song to me and that album as well.
There was a particular track in that album where you practically sang highlife. I think the track is called One Question. How did you manage to get that kind of mature sound?
Well, as I said, I work every day to build the Wizkid brand. I don’t just make music for now. A lot of people expect that, oh yeah, this young act; I should be making music about party and all that.
But I really do not. I actually make good music. I try as much as possible to pass a message across. Like Joy, in Joy I was talking about my life and I was giving advice to everyone out there. Jaiye Jaiye same thing, One Question, Ojuelegba, songs like that tell you I’m not an average type of artiste. I’m very confident about the type of music that I make and I know by God’s grace I will definitely take it global.
You went to Surulere to shoot Show you the money. Meanwhile, you have another track Ojuelegba. Why did you choose Surulere for Show you the money and where are you going to shoot Ojuelegba?
Well, Show you the money, I went to Shitta, small London. That’s actually where I grew up. So for Ojuelegba as well I’m definitely going to Ojuelegba to shoot the video. There are so many parts of Surulere that I have not even done anything about. All the streets I used to walk, all the streets I used to go perform because I used to do all the carnivals every December for every street in Surulere. I used to go do all that, to Lawanson, Brown Road and so on. I’ve paid my dues. There are so many stories that are untold. And by God’s grace if I’m here long enough I hope to pass that message and tell that story through my music.
Your one time label mate, Skales, are you ever going to work with him again?
Of course I will. He was actually in my house a couple of weeks ago. He brought a track to my house for us to work on. Do definitely; definitely I would always work with Skales.
You just released your last album with E.M.E and a lot of reviews have rated it low. Tell us, was it intentional?
Let’s take a look at it, off that album right; I have hit singles that I already put out. If I didn’t want to make an album that will actually cut across to people to enjoy, I would not put in those songs. I had Jaiye Jaiye, On Top Your Matter, Bombay, Show You The Money, Joy and I added more songs. And I’m shooting new video pretty much for all the songs in the album.
Wizkid like showing off his wealth on social media…
Yes, didn’t use to have all these things now. I hustled to get them. From where I am coming from, if I get all these things, I have to show them to motivate. You knew me in my Surelere days now; did I use to wear gold chain? Abi na lie I dey lie? No be lie now. So if I get all these type of things, you go thank God. I need to motivate boys for street. I no dey thief, I no dey do any other thing dan music.
Every now and then, people call you out. Is wizkid such a terrible person?
I tire o. I tire for the matter o. Well, people have their opinion about other people. People say you are terrible. The thing you should actually do is ask those people what exactly has this guy done to you? For four years that I was making music with Samklef, everyone knew who Samklef was; I was going up and down and saying Samklef noni, Right? You understand wetin I dey try talk. So I’m really just being me. I’m just trying to be a good person. Everyone cannot like you. And everyone cannot hate you.
Same time Samklef called you out, Seaon also was bitter that you didn’t appear in her video despite paying you a huge amount of money…
But I gave her a hit song now, I no try. My boy produced the song. I did my part of the job to record the song. So if she’s coming out and telling you …that’s not even what I charge for collabos. I dey charge some people 10million for collaboration you know. So if I did it for her for that price you should know it’s love. It’s out of love. I was busy. I didn’t even want to do it, to be honest. I won’t lie to you.
But you were once quoted to have said you don’t charge for collaboration…
Yes now, I don’t charge people I love for collaboration. But when someone is on your neck every day, they want to make a song and they want to pay for it. If I don’t collect the money now and make the song, they will say I’m a terrible person. So I’m just trying to be a good guy.
A lot of top artistes have been on the bill of Hennessy. You are there this year, how would you describe the experience?
Well, I feel really blessed to be a part of Hennessey this year, especially because Tuface is a part of it and Tuface is a legend in the Nigerian music industry. He’s like a pioneer. He paved the way for every young artiste doing it right now. So it’s just a great feeling doing it with Tuface. I feel really blessed. Hennessy is a big brand. And the Wizkid brand as well is growing everyday so we just keep working at it. I’m just thankful to God, that’s all.
For the first time, you did collaboration with Tuface, courtesy of Hennessy. Why did it not happen before Hennessy contacted both of you?
Well, Tuface and I have actually been in the studio four times before the Hennessy Company contacted us for the event, but we’ve never finished anything. We would work on something but we just never get to finish it. Tuface is a very busy person and me too I’m always just on the road. We actually never finish our tracks and putting it out. So, it’s like it’s a great feeling, to be honest.
What did it take to build the Wizkid brand?
Building the Wizkid brand pretty much took me all my life because before I went into making music, I had the picture of what I wanted to be in my head. I had a concept of how I would love the journey or my journey to be into the music industry to be like. So I definitely knew I wanted to build a brand, not just a name. A brand people would want to affiliate with and I work endlessly, day and night to make sure the brand Wizkid is here even when I’m not here.
Even when I leave, I want to live a legacy that people will follow. And I’m not just building Wizkid as a brand alone. I’m also building Star Boy for every young artiste out there, every young producer out there. I want to create a platform for them to push out their music. We just started in like a year now; and already my boys are getting nominations as well as producing for all the top acts in Nigeria. It’s a great feeling. I just feel really blessed.
Why do people think Wizkid is arrogant. And does it bother you?
It really does not bother me. But to be honest, I don’t even hear that because every time I go out, I get love from my fans. I show them love. And I do my thing. As I said, not everyone is going to like you. I don’t have any problem with that because I don’t like everybody. I’m going to be very honest with you; it’s not everybody that I like.
So I don’t expect everybody to like me. I make mistake like every normal human being. I’m very normal. I’m a young boy, I’m growing. It’s not that I know everything. I’m bound to trip and fall. I’m bound to learn from them. So I’m just growing, men.
Expecting any child soon?
Expecting ke?
No wedding on your card?
There is nothing like that.
Is Wizkid single and searching?
Wizkid is just a star boy, having fun and mingling things (laughs).
How many shows does Wizkid play per week?
It depends on the demand. Sometimes I do three, four and sometimes one.
What are your targets?
I’m pretty much just working on the Wizkid brand. I’m just trying to expand. And I’m trying to just take my music global. I’m just working on music, that’s pretty much it.
Talking about investment, where are you sinking your money?
Properties and jewellery… I don’t spend money on stupid things. I just try as much as possible to do me. I’m a grown man. I have problems too. I have a child I’m taking care of. I have responsibilities too, believe it or not.
You talked about doing a song with Chris Brown, when is it dropping? And did you pay for it?
Yeah, yeah I have a song with Chris Brown. Done actually; we are shooting the video in about two or three weeks. It’s going to drop early next year. Did I pay to do it? No, no payment at all. I don’t pay anyone for collaborations men. I’ve never paid for collaboration because I’m confident of the type of music that I make.
What’s your five years’ plan for Star Boy?
Yeah, we are working on the first Star Boy album now. We are shooting a video for all the songs. I’m pretty much trying to create a platform and just help as many talents as I can. Just put a lot of young people on. There are a lot of talented young people in this country but the platform is not there for everyone. So I’m going to try in my own little way to help.
