Popular music executive and former mentor, Banky W, recently shared that Nigeria’s global Afrobeats hitmaker, Wizkid, started as a ‘studio rat.’
[ad]
In a YouTube video released Friday, November 8, 2024, which is now making waves, Banky W, who was instrumental in shaping Wizkid’s early career through his label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), reminisced about Wizkid’s challenging journey before fame knocked on his door.
He revealed that back then, Wizkid would spend countless hours hanging around studios, unable to afford recording sessions.
READ ALSO:Banky W Reveals Wizkid Owed EME 3 Albums
[ad]
Banky W, describing Wizkid’s dedication and relentless passion, said, “Wizkid for a long time in his life was not fortunate enough to afford studio time.
“So he was a studio rat as he will go to any studio where they will let him hang out, and he will hang out all day waiting, hoping and praying that engineers and producers to just pity him and say oya, come and record for 15 or 30 mins because he could not pay for his session.”
Banky W added that Wizkid’s process involved creating hooks, melodies, and lyrics on the spot, seizing any chance he got to record—even if it was just a few minutes. The process helped shape him into the fast, spontaneous songwriter he’s known as today. Banky concluded, “That is where the name Wiz started from.”
READ ALSO: Nigerians Divided Over Banky W’s Letter To Stalker
[ad]
Today, the ‘studio rat’ has transformed into a worldwide superstar with fans across the globe. This journey, from struggling for mic time to commanding stadiums, is one that only deepened Wizkid’s artistry and resilience, a story Banky W cherishes as a proud mentor.
Wizkid was nominated for his hit MMS on Friday, landing his fifth Grammy nod in the second annual Best African Music Performance category.
[ad]
WATCH VIDEO BELOW:
