Music executive, Banky W, opens up on the inspiring journey of Grammy-winning artist Wizkid, sharing how the singer started from humble beginnings and went on to build one of the most influential brands in the music industry.
In a video circulating on social media, Banky W recalls his early days with Wizkid, who was signed to his label, Empire Mates Entertainment (EME), long before the artist founded his own label, StarBoy Entertainment.
Banky W shares details of Wizkid's relentless passion for music, describing him as a “studio rat” who struggled financially, often unable to afford studio time. Despite these challenges, Wizkid spent countless hours in any studio that would allow him to stay, honing his craft and waiting for a chance to record, even if only for a few minutes at the end of the day when engineers and producers showed him pity.
Banky W also revealed the origin of Wizkid's stage name, explaining that the name “Wiz” was coined due to his remarkable speed as a songwriter. According to Banky W, Wizkid’s ability to instantly come up with melodies and hooks made him stand out as a creative genius.
Banky W recounts how Wizkid started as a studio rat
Banky W explained, “For a significant part of his life, Wizkid couldn’t afford to pay for studio sessions. As a result, he became known as a ‘studio rat,’ frequently visiting any studio where he was allowed to hang around. He would spend the whole day hoping to get a brief window, often just 15 to 30 minutes, to record if the studio staff took pity on him.
“Throughout the day, he was constantly working on melodies and lyrics, preparing himself for any opportunity to step up to the mic. He perfected his process this way, creating catchy hooks and tunes on the spot since he didn’t have the luxury of paid studio time to think it through.
“Now, he’s one of the fastest songwriters I’ve encountered. Wizkid has this innate talent for listening to a beat, then instantly crafting a melody or freestyle that could become a song the whole world would want to sing. That’s where the name ‘Wiz’ came from—his genius-level ability to create music in the moment.”
Watch the video below …