E.E.R

I  DON'T  DO  DRUGS  BUT  I  SMOKE WEED ?  HELLO !!...WHIZ BLOWS HOT N COLD AT DIFFERENT INTERVIEWS

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Nigerian musician Whiz-Kid talks affair with Tonto Dike, drug scandal in Scotland, and more

Wizkid album launch

Ayodeji Balogun, known as Whiz-Kid, recently granted what Nollywoodgossip think is a very nice interview to NONYE BEN-NWANKWO of the Punch Newspapers. And in the interview the young music star touched on interesting issues. Excerpts:

Away from your music now; when you eventually become a man, what will happen to your name, Whiz-Kid?

I have not actually thought of that, I will not lie to you. I don’t want to think about it. The feeling I have now is actually good. But with time, I am sure something will pop up.

Who would you say discovered you?

I would say my manager, Osagie, discovered me. I had been working underground for a long time before I met her. And when I met her and she listened to my music, she told me the music was very good. A lot of people have actually helped me to step up. Naeto C helped me to become a better writer. I met D’banj and I wanted to be like him, I wanted to be a better performer. Everybody has just influenced me one way or the other. But to ask who discovered me, I think I would say Osagie did that.

How easy was it for you to be signed on by Banky W?

I have been around and I have been doing music for some time. I have been posting my stuff on the Internet even before I met Osagie. I was pushing my brand and trying to make people to hear me out. I did collaboration with MI on his album, and I think that actually brought much attention to me. At some point, people wanted to know the face behind the voice. When they saw I was just a little boy, they were stunned. I remember when I performed at SMVA with MI, everybody stood up. That felt good. There was a time I performed at a show where MI and Banky also performed. I performed before Banky, so he didn’t get the opportunity to know me. After the show, Banky said all of us should come to his house for drinks. He didn’t even know I was Whiz-Kid until MI called me to say something to me. Banky was stunned! He told me he had been looking for me for months. And at that time, I had a couple of record labels that were on my case. Banky gave me a better deal and I went for it.

Now that you have become so popular, controversies have been surrounding you. We learnt you were involved in a drug-related mess recently and you were even caught pushing drugs in Scotland…

I was actually in Benin when that story came out. My mum called me. The story was very funny. I knew controversies would come but when they started coming, I was so surprised. I don’t do drugs. I didn’t even go to Scotland. It was so funny. I actually realised I am now a public figure and people are now interested in whatever happens to me. I had to become more conscious about my environment and what I do. I know a lot of young people look up to me and I want to set a good example. I just realised that I am now a little more famous. I didn’t have a choice but to come out and tell the truth. I don’t do drugs.

Did you ever recover your stolen car?

No. I never did. I had to get a new car.

It was the car we heard Tonto Dike, the actress, bought for you.

The story is so funny. I have had my car even before I got to know Tonto. Come on. Why? The story was so funny.

Some other people felt the buzz about you and Tonto being in a relationship was just media hype so that people will get to know you…

It wasn’t really media hype. I never sat down with Tonto and decide to do that kind of publicity stunt. All I did was to say ‘Hi’ to her on Twitter and she replied me. I called her my wife and she called me her husband. People just took us seriously and that was just it. Then we hadn’t even met. I wouldn’t go that far to get publicity. I wouldn’t want to attract that kind of attention to myself. My music has done enough for me already. I give God the glory.

That day was my birthday and I was feeling so happy. That is not an issue. Ha! I didn’t even know that you guys would notice. This is what I mean about first impression. That is why I try to be myself.