Stardom will rob you of your friends – Wizkid
Is it true that you are planning to change your name from Wizkid to Wizzy?
Rumours again. Common, there is no such thing. It’s still Wizkid.
It was said that because you got the name Wizkid when you were a kid it’s only appropriate to a find similar name only without the ‘kid’ in it.
Okay, it’s like this. The name ‘Wizkid’ has been part of my success, so it doesn’t really matter whether I’ve grown older; I will always be a kid, at least, a kid to my parents. The bottom line is that if you call me Wizkid it’s cool; if you call me Wizzy or Wiz you are still on point.
My fans know me by these names. I used to be known as Lil’ Prince way back, but I always wanted something that I’d be comfortable with because many young artistes were fond of using Lil’ (as in little) in their names. You have Lil’ Romeo, Lil’ Bow Bow and such. Bearing Lil’ Prince made me feel like I was copying those foreign artistes. Wizkid sounded different and it was even more interesting because my sisters named me Wizkid.
What’s your relationship like with your family, especially as it relates to your musical career?
I have a very supportive family. My family are my biggest fans. My mum, especially, has never opposed my career. She has always supported me all the way.
Though I had issues with my dad as to my music, but I realised later that it was because he was concerned about my education. But I can tell you they all love me as much as I love them. My relationship with my family is so tight that my sisters were in my first ever musical performance just to encourage me. So we are cool.
What’s your dad position on your musical pursuit now?
He has no problem with me doing music now, because he sees that I’m not doing too badly. He’s been showing me support. My dad and I are cool. He loves me.
Tell me a little about your childhood.
My childhood was an interesting one because I had the opportunity to experience different environments and aspects of life. You know, I lived with my grandma in Ajegunle at a time and you know how Ajegunle is. If you live there, you’ve got to be smart. I learnt a whole lot there like some of the ghetto slangs I use in my music. So, yes, I experienced Ajegunle; I’m a kpako (ghetto) boy. Then there is Surulere, where I actually started. Surulere is my hood. That was where my hustle as an artiste began. It wasn’t that smooth and rosy for me singing.
I’ve had to pay my dues on the streets as an artiste – from trying to rap and dancing way back in secondary school. I used to save money to buy cassettes of my favourite artistes as at the age of eleven. But I was determined to make it, coupled with my family’s support. Like I told you, there is love in our family. We are so close. We use to attend church together. You can’t grow up in my family and not go to church, because my mum is an active Christian. I was an usher in my church.
I would have expected you to say you were in the choir.
No, interestingly I couldn’t make it into my church choir due to the high pitch of my voice. My voice is too loud. But it was all good; being an usher was still doing God’s work.
What kind of artistes did you listen to while growing up?
I listened to all kinds of music, but my favourites were Haruna Ishola. This is because my dad listened to it a lot and we had it in the house all the time. I listened to a whole lot of Fuji as well. Hip hop wise, my favourites were Snoop Dogg, Lil’ Bow Wow, Craig David, Master P and so on.
How would you categorise your music?
To tell you the truth, I just sing as the inspiration comes. I can sing any style; my concern is to make my fans like whatever style I give them. I find it hard to describe the kind of music I sing.
How exactly did you meet Banky W?
M.I. actually introduced me to Banky. He took me to Banky’s house. Banky had heard so much about me, but didn’t know I was so young. So, I was at a show where M.I., Banky and I were to perform and because I came late, I joined them at the end of the show. Banky and I were not able to see each other perform.
After the show – the show was a high school event – I went with M.I to his house. While at Banky’s house, M.I. called out my name at a point and Banky was like “Wait, wait…this is Wizkid? I’ve been looking for this guy. So this is you?” And that was how we got to meet. He offered me a deal and the rest, as they say, is history.
He said he had been looking for you. How did he know you existed?
I had featured in M.I.’s “Talk About It” album and many had heard my voice but they didn’t know my face or that I was this young. I also recorded a song with Kel and even backed both Kel and M.I. up at some shows. I guess with that and my other studio activities, Banky had heard stories about me.
You just rounded off your U.K. tour. Tell us about it.
Wow! First of all, shout out to all my U.K. fans. They showed me much love from the day I landed at Heathrow till the end of the concert. Tickets were actually sold out. The concert was a massive success. I was humbled. I couldn’t believe the turn out.
What prices have you paid for stardom?
It’s not easy. I don’t have time for any other thing again because I’m always busy performing at one show or another. I’m always travelling all over Nigeria too; many times outside the country. There is hardly time to rest. But I can’t complain because success is what I have dreamt of and prayed God to grant me.
Now that he has answered my prayers, I can only give God all the glory. Stardom will rob you of your friends sometimes, because they will expect you to still do the things you use to do with them when you were coming up, but you won’t just have the time. Some might even think you are now arrogant or a snob. They just don’t want to understand, but you can’t please everybody. Then I don’t have privacy anymore. I can’t walk on the street. I can’t go to certain places again or else I’m in trouble.
You now have new colleagues at EME in the person of Niyola and Shaydee. How do you feel?
It’s great. I feel great. The EME family is expanding. We are going to rule the industry together. I think you ain’t seen nothing yet.
Do you feel threatened that attention could be shifted from you to say Niyola now that the EME house is expanding?
I don’t feel threatened at all. All the artistes are unique as individuals. I have my fans; Skales has his, Shaydee and Niyola too. Even Banky has his fans too, so there is no cause for alarm. More artistes are welcome. No qualms.
There have been like a truckload of rumours about you. How do you feel about them?
Man, it’s crazy; really, really crazy. But I have now gotten to understand that once you are a star you can’t avoid rumours. Initially, I used to be very bothered, but I have now realised that it is normal. I have developed a thick skin for scandals. I mean, it’s funny how one person would go on a social media like Twitter and post a lie about you and in less than 30 minutes, everyone is talking about it on the streets. But it’s just one of such prices to pay for popularity.
Are you saying that all the negative stories are rumours, including the story that has gained ground that a girl has a child for you?
It’s all rumours, trust me. People will think up all sorts of stuffs to damage you if you are very popular.
Do all these negative scandals bother your family?
They used to be bothered too. In fact, at some point, my mum would call me to find out if it was true, but they’ve also realised now that it’s part of stardom. Nobody knows me more than my family. When some things are written, they know it’s all lies. They know what I can do and what I wouldn’t do.
What’s your advice to young people like you who want to become successful in their chosen fields?
Hard work, hard work and hard work, is all I’ve got to say. There is no substitute to hard work. Then, the family is also important to the success of the youth. One of the things that I had going for me was the support I was given by my family. Like I told you, my mum was a major influence in my life. She supported my career all the way. Many parents don’t have time for their children anymore. Parents’ encouragement can help a child succeed. They must encourage their children and pray for them. I was very lucky that my entire family stood by me. pls if you like/ don't like some things about this alway drop your comments
