In a revealing throwback interview, global music sensation Wizkid opened up about his early struggles and his exit from Banky W’s record label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME).
The Nigerian superstar, known for his hit tracks and international collaborations, shared that he left the label without any money, a story that resonates with the challenges many artists face in the entertainment industry.
Wizkid, whose real name is Ayodeji Balogun, was signed to EME in 2009. Under the mentorship of Banky W, he released his debut album, Superstar, in 2011. The album, which included hit songs like “Holla at Your Boy” and “Pakurumo,” catapulted Wizkid to fame and made him a household name in Nigeria and beyond.
Despite the success, Wizkid revealed in the interview that his exit from EME was far from rosy. He said, “I was Wizkid, I had to leave EME record label with Zero Naira. Everybody knows the story.”
This revelation comes amid a scandal with Dapper Records label. Recently, Shallipopi terminated a contract deal with the record label and exposed the label over financial mismanagement. However, Dapper Records label was being dragged into mud over the 30% royalties collected from artists signed under them.
Watch the video below: