Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, is an internationally acclaimed artiste, songwriter and performer. He started his musical career at the of age 11. His work has earned him several achievements, including a BET Award, Channel O Music Video Award and four Nigeria Entertainment Awards. He was ranked 5th on Forbes and Channel O’s 2013 list of the Top 10 Richest/Bankable African Artistes. The ‘Holla at Your Boy’ crooner spoke with ORUKPE NELSON about his diamond studded styles. Excerpts…

What was growing up like?

Growing up was going through everything I went through in life. I don’t think I will be who I am if I didn’t go through what I did while I was growing up. All the stress, poverty and everything I went through have shaped me into who I am today.

How was it like doing music while growing up?

I started doing my music in the suburbs of Surulere, especially Shitta, known as small London. There is no part of Surulere I have not done music. There are so many stories and music I will like to do about the areas I used to go and perform while growing up. I use to go to all the carnivals every December in every streets in Surulere; like Lawanson, Ojuelegba and so on. Nobody paid me money for performing in events in those days. I have paid my dues. There are so many stories that are yet to unfold. I hope to tell a lot of those growing up stories through my music by God’s grace.

How did the name, Star Boy originate?

It was on the streets back in Surulere where I started singing that they gave me the name. They started calling me Star Boy even back then and the name has stuck with me. I use it as the name for my record label.

How have you been able to build the Wizkid brand to grow into a household name in such a short period of time?

Building the Wizkid brand has taken practically all my life. Prior to making music, I already had what I wanted to do in my head. I had a concept of how I would love my journey into the music industry to be like. I definitely knew I wanted to build a brand and not just be a music artiste. Of course, I had to get into some trouble while doing that and I have tried as much as possible to stay out of trouble but sometimes things happen.

Do you ever worry about the brand fizzling out one day like the others before you?

Yes, I worry about that a lot. That is why I spend sleepless nights working hard to stay relevant. Even when I no longer exist, I want to leave a legacy. I am not just building Wizkid as a brand, I am also building Star Boy, my record label, to help every young artiste out there, to create a platform for them to show their talent and push out their music. We just started and we are a year older and already the artistes signed to the label are getting nominations in the music industry. So it’s a great feeling and I feel really blessed. I work endlessly to make the Wizkid brand to stay for a long time. I don’t just make music for now. I intend to make my music global.

What’s the most challenging song you have ever recorded?

The most challenging song I’ve ever written, I would say, is when I made ‘JaiyeJaiye’. When I made it, I didn’t know if people were ready for such a song. I needed to make it special so I called Femi Kuti to join me in recording the song. I was surprised when he said ‘Yes’ immediately. I didn’t know he was going to tell me ‘Yes’ straight away, I called him that day and we recorded it the next day.

Describe your fashion style.

My style is simply fresh. I make sure I look fresh all the time.

Your bling- bling is part of the Wizkid style?

I have always loved chains and blings which are mostly gold and diamonds. For me, I actually think it is an investment. That is why I buy a lot of expensive watches, gold and diamonds. I see expensive jewelry as a way of investing my money.

What brand of wristwatches do you like?

I like several brands and designer labels. I love Rolex watches mostly. Basically, when buying watches, they have to look nice and worth investing in.

What is your signature accessory?

That will be my diamond stud earrings. I wear them most of the time.

What is your passion?

I am very passionate about music. I live, dream and eat music.

Where are you investing your money?

I actually invest my money on properties and jewelries.

Don’t you think jewelries are vanities?

Do you know how much I can sell these jewelries if I want to sell them? I am a grown man and I have responsibilities to take care of myself. I have a child to care for too, so I must invest in the future. I don’t spend money on foolish things.

If we take a peep in your wardrobe, what kind of clothes can we find?

Good clothes, boxers and lots of shoes. I shop a lot as well. Anywhere I see nice things I just stop and shop both here in Nigeria and when I travel abroad.

You seem to have a lot of tattoos. How many are they?

I don’t count the tattoos I have on my body. If I feel like, I will just point to any part of my body I want the artist to place it, it will be for a reason though.

Which of the tattoos on your body do you cherish the most?

I think my sisters’ names, my mum and my son. These are the closest people to me in the whole world. I love my dad too, but he gets jealous sometimes about my affection for the other members of the family.

What are your cravings?

I don’t like sweet things. I don’t even like chocolates. I think I am actually weird.

Are you currently in a relationship?

Please leave that matter. It is all about Star Boy mingling and having fun. That is all I have to say on the relationship issue.

Has fame changed anything about you?

No, being famous has not changed anything about me. It only added a few good accessories to my life like gold and diamond chains, good clothes. I didn’t grow taller or anything. I am basically the same person I have always been.

Why do you like showing off your wealth on social media?

It is not a show off. I didn’t have all these trappings of wealth while growing up. I hustled to get them. So, I have to show people to motivate them. While I was singing on the streets, was I wearing gold chains and diamonds? No! But I worked hard to get these things. I don’t steal or kill but I worked hard to get to where I am today. So I use it to motivate guys on the streets who are starting like me that they too will get there.

Would you describe yourself as a terrible person as a lot of people have been calling you all sorts of names on social media?

Well, people have different opinions about people. If they say I am terrible, then you should actually go and ask those people what I did to them. I am just being myself and trying to be a good person. Everyone cannot like or hate you. That is all I have to say.

Do you enjoy being controversial?

I am not deriving any enjoyment from controversies. I have made mistakes but in all, I am just living my life. I am a normal boy growing up. I am bound to make mistakes and learn from them.

As you get older, would you change your name from Wizkid to something else?

We are all kids at heart. I am just going with the flow for now. When I get to that bridge, I will know how to cross it.

Which of the international artistes are you currently working with?

I am shooting music and video with Chris Brown and this will drop early next year.

Who is your role model?

I don’t think I have one. I just learn from everyone but I have people I look up to and Tuface is one of them. He’s been here for ages and he is still headlining shows and every young man looks up to him. I look up to other people in the industry as well.