Afrobeats superstar Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is celebrating his 36th birthday today, with fans, fellow artists and industry figures paying tribute to one of Africa’s most influential musicians. Since breaking onto the scene with his 2011 debut album Superstar, Wizkid has grown into a global music powerhouse, helping take Afrobeats to audiences around the world.
Over the course of his career, Wizkid has delivered chart-topping hits including “Ojuelegba,” “Come Closer,” “Essence,” and “Piece of My Heart.” His collaboration with Tems on Essence became the first Afrobeats song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10, while his appearance on Drake’s “One Dance” helped create one of the biggest global hits of the streaming era, with more than 4 billion Spotify streams.
The Grammy winner continues to break records. Earlier this year, Wizkid became the first African artist to surpass 11 billion Spotify streams across all credits, further cementing his place as one of the continent’s biggest musical exports. His achievements also include a Grammy Award for “Brown Skin Girl” with Beyoncé, multiple Billboard Music Awards, and sold-out concerts at venues such as London’s O2 Arena and Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Birthday tributes poured in across social media, with artists and fans reflecting on his impact on African music. Rapper Olamide was among those celebrating the singer, describing him simply as “the Greatest.” As the messages continue to flood in, many are celebrating not just Wizkid’s music but the global movement he helped build for Afrobeats.
