Afrobeats singer Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, has declared himself the first young and successful Nigerian artiste.

Acknowledging his parents’ support in chasing his dreams, Wizkid noted that his parents were initially doubtful of his chances of making it in the music industry.

“I was the first young artist to ever blow up on the Nigerian music scene. So my parents didn’t even believe that there was a chance in that,” he said per Uplift X.

“Every parent, of course, when they see their kid growing up and making a big career decision that they’re not sure about, especially coming from Africa; living in a home where your mom is a Christian and your dad is a Muslim, and they never had an argument about religion or what the kids wanted to do… My dad would be like, do whatever you want. If you want to be a Muslim or Christian, you’re free, do whatever you like.

“I love my parents so much. That’s something that has helped me become who I am today. All I understood was love was the only thing that kept them together for so long.”

In memory of his late mother who passed away on August 18, 2023, in London, Wizkid revealed his plans to release a new album titled ‘Morayo’, his mother’s middle name.