The Bite Magazine - Spring/Summer 2022 - Issue 31

bitemusicceleb He also revealed his career strides as a musician were the feat of taking on challenges. “I would say it’s never taking no for an answer. When I started, I was the youngest in music; everywhere I [went] to then, I was pretty much the youngest. But I didn't take no for an answer, which has helped shape me into the man I am today. When I think about it, I sim- ply go for it.” His music was influenced by King Sun- ny Ade, Felt Kuti and Bob Marley. One of his earliest musical mentors was record producer OJB Jezreel who prevented him from re- cording for a year. Instead, he got Wizkid to visit his PointBeat Studios, a place where many artists got their break, and watch 2 Face Idibia record songs for his Grass 2 Grace album as well as the recording sessions for Sound Sultan’s debut album Jagbajan- tis. Another mentor was Nigerian rapper Naeto C who coached him when he was 15. His tenure at EME helped set his path with his break- out song ‘Holla At Your Boy’, earning him the Next Rated award at The Headies 2011. He performed at events including the HMV Apollo and the BBC Radio 1Xtra Live at the O2 Academy in Brixton alongside Trey Songz, Tulisa, Kendrick Lamar and Angel in 2012. The following year, he sang at Felabration, a yearly concert dedicated to the late Fela Kuti and the Guinness Colourful World of More show alongside D’banj, Tiwa Savage, Davido, Burna Boy and other artists. Under Starboy Entertainment, he released the mu- sic video for ‘Ojuelegba’ translated as the ‘eyes of Elegba’ (a Yoruba crossroads deity) from the album Sounds From The Other Side, which speaks about his early recording career. The album also featured a collaboration with Chris Brown entitled ‘African Bad Gyal’, which the duo performed at the R&B singer’s concert in Durban, South Africa, in 2015. The follow- ing year, Wizkid achieved international recognition following his collaboration with Drake on the global hit ‘One Dance’. Further accomplishments included signing a multi-al- bum deal with RCA Records in 2017 and becoming the first Afrobeats artist to appear in the 2018 Guin- ness World Records for his contribution to Drake’s ‘One Dance’ which reached #1 in 15 countries, in- cluding the United States, United Kingdom, Cana- da and Australia. Wizkid has appeared on several artists’ tracks such as ‘Girl’ with Bracket, ’Fine Lady’ with Lynxxx, ‘Sexy Mama’ with Iyanya, ‘Slow Down’ with R2Bees and ‘The Matter’ with Maleek Berry. In addition to his music’s popularity, Wizkid has dat- ed several beauties. His first girlfriend at the age of 17 was Sophie Rammal, who supported him through the hard times, challenges and predicaments during his early years in the music industry and featured in the video for his first single, ‘Holla At Your Boy’. When he became a global celebrity, he broke up with Sophie, and she eventually married a Nigerian billionaire. His next conquest was Sola Ogudu, who discovered and dramatically announced she was pregnant for him. At first, he denied responsibility, but a DNA test requested by his family revealed he was the father. His child’s mother said in the beginning, his family would come to her house with gifts, pleading with her to understand he would soon come around, but didn’t. She then revealed that Wizkid only did things for her son to be perceived as a good father in pub- lic. According to City People Magazine and Kenya's The Standard media reports, dating rumours be- tween Wizkid and Kenyan singer Victoria Kimani surfaced when they were caught locking lips in a