Encomium
I’m not bothered if people think I’m arrogant
Saeon should be grateful I gave her a hit
Superstar singer, Ayo Balogun, famously known as Wizkid has outgrown his popular stage name, but the crooner is not ready to change it, at least, for now. He still enjoys being addressed as Wizkid or better still, Star-Boy. It’s very unusual for a Wizkid of three-four years ago to be favourably disposed to responding to questions from entertainment journalists, but now, the level and everything about him have changed.
The proud father of one (Boluwatife) displayed this maturity last week during an interactive session with journalists, including ENCOMIUM Weekly, where he addressed allegations levelled against him by producer, Samklef and female singer, Saeon, among others. In the interview held at BHM office, Allen, Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, October 22, 2014, Wizkid also spoke about his second album, AYO…
Let’s talk about your album, entitled AYO (Joy)?
Ayo is my second album. It has 18 tracks. I have hit singles I have put out off the album. I have Jaiye-Jaiye, On top the Matter, Show You The Money and Joy (Ayo), which I dedicated to my mother. I have another one I dedicated to my mother, I titled it, Mummy Mi. I added great songs, such as In My Bed, Kind Love, Ojuelegba, Kilofe, among others. Very soon, I will be shooting the videos of the songs.
In last couple of days, people have been throwing shades at you…
(Cuts-in) I tire ooo, I tire ooo (laughs).
Is Wizkid a terrible person?
Terrible? Everyone has opinion about people. But when they say Wizkid is terrible, you need to ask them, “Why is Wizkid a terrible person? What did he do?” For four years, I was making music with Samklef, everyone knew his house. I was going up and down, shouting, Samklef Na Ni. That’s me, I am just trying to be a good person. Whereas, everyone cannot like you and everyone cannot hate you.
Has fame changed Wizkid?
No! Fame has not changed Wizkid. The only thing fame has changed in Wizkid is that I added some accessories. I have got nice chains, watches, and nice clothes (smiles). Aside that, I am still Wizkid. I no tall, still the same height.
Can you react to Saeon’s allegation that after you collected N1.5 million from her, you didn’t re-tweet her tweet to promote the new song, the one you featured in?
Oh, really? She’s bitter about it. I didn’t see the allegation, but I gave her hit song. I no try? I did my part, I was in the studio with her, gave her hit song. I no try? That’s not even how much I charge for collabo, I charge N10 million. I collected N1.5 million from her because of love. I was busy, I didn’t want to do it.
But you once said you don’t charge people you love?
Yeah, I don’t charge people I love. I said so. But when someone is on your neck everyday for collabo, and she offers you money, won’t you collect it? If you fail to collect it, they start calling you a terrible person (smiles). I am just trying to be a good guy.
Does it really bother you when they say Wizkid is arrogant?
Bother me? Never! I am not bothered. Honestly, I don’t hear people saying it, because anytime I go out, I show my fans great love. I do my thing. I don’t have problem with that because I don’t love everybody as well. So, I don’t expect everybody to love me too. That’s life.
Tell us that painful memory you can’t forget?
One painful memory I can’t forget? Hmmm…So many painful memories but I don’t want to remember any now. I don’t even know how to start, but we thank God. Let’s just give God all the glory.
Describe your fashion styles?
Fresh! Am I not looking fresh? I have always loved chains a lot. For me, I also see the chains as investment because they are gold and diamond. You can always sell anything gold and diamond. It is like an investment for me.
But why do you love flaunting your accessories?
You know nah, I hadn’t accessories when I started my career. Did you see me wearing bling-bling when I shot Holla At Your Boi? No! I hustled to get money to buy them, and there is no crime if I show it or flaunt it to my fans because they gave me money to buy them.
Where else do you invest your money?
I will say property, but most importantly, jewelry.
Why jewelry?
Do you know how much I can sell this chain (on his neck) when I get broke, God forbid? It’s money, and to me, it’s investment. I don’t spend money on foolish things. I spend moderately. Besides, I am a grown man. I have problems too. I have a child I am taking care. I have responsibilities, believe or not.
How did you come about the name, Star-Boy?
Na street gave me the name. My fans started it, and I accepted it.
Are you expecting any child soon?
Expecting wetin? Did I tell you I am expecting a child?
Because you didn’t tell us when you had the first one… Yes, I didn’t tell you guys because people wanted to kill me. But, honestly, nothing like that. I am not expecting any child now.
Is there wedding in your plan now?
Wedding? (He hissed) No!
Is any new girl?
New girl? (He hissed again) Nothing like that.
Are you in any relationship right now?
Wizkid is just Star-Boy, having fun and mingling.
Let’s talk about your management in the UK, Disturbing London. Tell us about it?
I and Disturbing London have been working together for years, before I even came out to announce it publicly. We have to take care of many business interests so that our working relationship will be smooth.
Disturbing London is representing Wizkid in the UK and Europe as well. We’re working on my international album right now, to be released next year.
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
