wizkid feat. damian marley

Biography

Wizkid, born Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun on July 16, 1990, in Surulere, Lagos State, Nigeria, is one of the most influential figures in contemporary Afrobeats. He began his musical journey as a child, singing in his church choir and later joining the local group Glorious Five. His early exposure to a blend of Nigerian pop, R&B, and gospel laid the foundation for his genre-defying sound. Wizkid rose to prominence in the early 2010s with hits like 'Holla at Your Boy' and 'Tease Me/Bad Guys,' establishing himself as a leading voice in the Afrobeats movement. His collaborations with international artists, including Drake and Beyoncé, have helped bring African music to a global audience. Damian Marley, born Damian Robert Nesta Marley on July 21, 1978, in Kingston, Jamaica, is a Grammy-winning reggae artist and the youngest son of Bob Marley. He began his career as a child, performing with his family and later releasing his debut album 'Mr. Marley' at age 12. Damian is known for his socially conscious lyrics and fusion of reggae, hip-hop, and dancehall. His work with Wizkid, notably on the track 'Blessed' from the 'Made in Lagos' album, exemplifies a cross-cultural musical synergy that bridges African and Caribbean sounds. Together, Wizkid and Damian Marley have become symbols of global Afro-Caribbean collaboration, influencing a new generation of artists and fans worldwide.

Fun Facts

• Wizkid became the first African artist to reach 1 billion streams on Spotify.
• Damian Marley is the only Jamaican artist to win a Grammy in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category.
• Wizkid and Damian Marley first met at a New York City hotel while promoting their respective albums, sparking their collaboration.
• Wizkid's 'Made in Lagos' album, featuring Damian Marley, was critically acclaimed for its fusion of Afrobeats and reggae.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Femi Kuti - early musical inspiration and influence (Afrobeat legacy) [2000s]
• Bob Marley - Damian Marley's father and primary musical influence (reggae classics) [1978–present]

Key Collaborators

• Damian Marley - collaboration on 'Blessed' and other tracks (Made in Lagos (Deluxe Edition)) [2020–present]
• Drake - international collaboration (One Dance) [2016]
• Beyoncé - collaboration on The Lion King: The Gift (Brown Skin Girl) [2019]

Artists Influenced

• Burna Boy - contemporary Afrobeats artist influenced by Wizkid's global success (African Giant) [2010s–present]
• Shenseea - Jamaican artist influenced by Damian Marley's fusion style (Alpha) [2020s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. One Dance (Views)
2. Essence (feat. Tems) (Made In Lagos)
3. MMS (Lungu Boy)
4. Billionaires Club (Olamidé)
5. Kese (Dance) (Morayo)
6. Bad Girl (feat. Asake) (Morayo)
7. Piece of My Heart (feat. Brent Faiyaz) (Morayo)
8. Slow (feat. Anaïs Cardot) (Morayo)
9. Lighter
10. Après Minuit (feat. Tiakola) (Morayo)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia