Banky W, the renowned Nigerian music executive and artist, recently opened up about Wizkid’s humble beginnings, sharing how he went from hanging around studios to becoming one of the world’s biggest afrobeat stars.

In a widely circulated video, Banky W, who played a major role in launching Wizkid’s career under his label Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), recounted how Wizkid used to spend countless hours in different studios, struggling to afford recording sessions.

Banky W revealed that Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun, often had to rely on the goodwill of producers and sound engineers, hoping someone would let him record a few minutes for free.

Describing Wizkid as a “studio rat” in those early days, Banky W emphasized how dedicated Wizkid was.

Without the financial means to pay for regular sessions, he would hang around studios for entire days, just waiting for an opportunity to jump on the mic.

This constant exposure to the studio environment honed Wizkid’s skills.

Banky W explained that Wizkid would use those long hours to work on hooks, melodies, and lyrics, all in anticipation of the rare moments when a producer would allow him a brief recording time.

Since he didn’t always have a lot of time to prepare, Wizkid developed the habit of freestyling melodies and coming up with ideas on the spot, which eventually turned him into a remarkably fast songwriter.

Banky W also noted that Wizkid’s ability to craft songs quickly became one of his standout traits and helped establish his reputation in the industry.

Wizkid’s knack for freestyling soon evolved into a unique style that caught the attention of EME, where Banky W saw raw potential in him and signed him to the label.

Reflecting on those early days, Banky W added that it was during this time that Wizkid began to earn his nickname, as his exceptional talent and swift songwriting ability led people to call him the “Wiz.”