Wizkid: Playing The Fame Game

There is no doubt Wiz kid has carved a niche for himself in the music industry; just  as the fast rising international artiste with a humble beginning has began playing the fame game. Recently however, the fame game seemed to be taking a negative twist as he was alleged to have been acting rudely towards those who have mentored him, and his fans among others. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM writes on his latest controversies with J Martins

Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun craved for fame using his God-given talent, and it prompted EME boss BankyW to have him signed on his record label, which eventually brought him fame. Despite the accusations and controversies that he was biting the finger that fed him, that did not deter his boss from helping him excel in the music industry.

Born July 16, 1990, the ever young Wizkid, (Star Boy) rose to prominence with his hit song, ‘Don’t Dull.’ Banky W discovered Wizkid and had him signed on his record label, “Empire Mates Entertainment,” which has released his notable hits like, ‘Don’t Dull,’ ‘Love My Baby’, ‘Azonto,’ ‘Pakurumo,’ ‘Tease Me,’ ‘Bad Guys,’ ‘Dance For Me’ among others.

Though it was in the news that the duo had a big fight which led to Wizkid biting EME’s fingers, it was later debunked and dubbed as a mere distraction.

In the interview granted to a popular media outfit, Wizkid stated that he has a good working relationship with his boss and the release of “Starboy” was in collaboration with EME.

“I have just released an album in collaboration with Wizkid and EME. “Starboy” is my new company; EME is still there for me. “Starboy” is Wizkid’s new record label and I have a couple of producers that are working with me in the new company. Definitely, we are working with a lot of people. Banky W and I started from way back. Our dreams have always been to build an empire, to help more people and give them that platform to showcase their talents. And all these dreams cannot happen only with one person, the young talent Wizkid stated.

Last week, it was alleged that Wizkid told a fan ’that broke people always think they have an opinion’ after the fan allegedly rudely corrected his English - a comment that angered quite a number of the pop star’s fans.

Also in a recent interview as a guest on Hot 98.3 FM Abuja  with singer, song writer and producer, J Martins  reacted to Wizkid’s outburst, saying:

“I’m not taking any side, do not mean no beef, no disrespect, and no hate but let the truth be told. I don’t believe because you feel you have a few change you didn’t have a few years ago and which you cannot guarantee having in a few years to come then you wake up and look at those people who have cheered you up, loved you, supported your music, bought your CD’s, prayed for you, just because you can lay your hands on some phone and you call them ‘poor.’

Adding that, “I’m not in and will never be in support of anyone who has such bad attitude. It needs to be corrected, we owe our fans the duty of being good examples that’s why they hold us in high esteem, that’s why you are a role model and if you know you cannot be a good role model you have no business in Music. You don’t know if it’s that person that might help you tomorrow, whoever does that should be checked,” the artiste frowned.

But however, trust bloggers in Nigeria, hours after, his reactions hit the blogsphere like wild fire, the contemporary highlife star also took  to Twitter to clear the air, saying the reports credited to him are false. “Let it be known that I never blasted wizkidayo as falsely reported. There is no point trying to create a controversy that doesn’t exist,” J Martins tweeted on Monday.

This didn’t go down well with the EME family and Starboy as they reacted with disgust stating that there was no need to make an issue out of it.

But trust Nigeria artistes, who always defend themselves even when they are wrong as Wizkid reacted to J Martins comments, tweeting at him directly.

According to PM News, Wizkid had written “Broke people always think they have an opinion” to a fan on his Instagram page, after erroneously typing ‘About to perform at this wedding with hangover! Jah Guide!’

This led to a particular fan with Twitterhandle @spruzman to send a reply ‘Correct urselfman… see d reason why you should go back to school. Lol’

But the fan’s advice didn’t go down well with Wizkid. And his harsh response elicited retaliatory tweets from angry fans.

But Master Kriss, in an interview stated that there is always time for change urging wizkid to avoid any controversy in his career as he is still very young in the industry.

While Tolulope said people should mind their own business, advising Wizkid kid to “be careful with what he does or says because not everyone is happy with his success”.