The road to success is rarely a straight path, and in the Nigerian music industry, it takes resilience, raw talent, and an unrelenting drive to rise above challenges. For some of the country’s biggest stars, their journeys to global recognition started from humble beginnings to global recognition. This article delves into the inspiring grass to grace stories of Wizkid, Don Jazzy, Timaya, and Patoranking—four music icons whose dedication and passion transformed their dreams into reality.
Wizkid:
Wizkid’s prominence to global stardom isn’t an overnight success but a gradual ascent of sheer hard work and talent. From his early days on the streets of Surulere and Ojuelegba axis in Lagos to first being discovered by former manager and OneRPM’s Director of African Operations Osagie Osarenkhoe, where Wizkid displayed raw talent and hunger for the industry, to getting signed by Banky W at E.M.E record label where he released his first hit single “Holla at Your Boy,” among several hit songs.
Wizkid’s triumph spiralled after his exit from E.M.E when award-winning Rapper Drake and Skepta featured in his hit song “Ojuelegba” (remix), after which the “One Dance” —Drake collaboration sealed his global stardom to becoming the award-winning Big Wiz we all know today. Wizkid has become one of Afrobeats’ biggest exports, selling out stadiums and breaking records.
Don Jazzy:
From humble beginnings to becoming a business mogul, the story of Africa’s most influential music executive and label founder, Don Jazzy, feels like a movie. Don Jazzy grew up in Ajegunle, where he learned to play the drums and bass guitar despite the town’s rough lifestyle. His talent earned him a chance to play at a local church in the UK, where he once worked as a security guard at McDonald’s to sustain himself. Then he met D’banj while honing his music production skills, and together, they started the defunct Mo’ Hits Records in 2004.
The successful label signed artists like Wande Coal, D’Prince, Dr Sid and KaySwitch, dominating the music industry with club bangers and collaborating with international artists, including Kanye West and Snoop Dog. Despite the label’s fallout in 2012, Jazzy kept going as he founded the prominent Mavin Records, building Stars like Tiwa Savage, Reekado Banks, Johnny Drille, Rema, and Ayra Starr, amongst others. Don Jazzy hasn’t built one of the most successful record labels but has become a business mogul with multiple companies.
Timaya:
Timaya’s rise to the limelight is a rollercoaster that exemplifies resilience, determination and talent. Being the youngest among fifteen children, the Bayelsa-born act survived his humble beginnings in Port Harcourt, where he once hawked plantain and even dropped out of the university. But Timaya’s musical journey started as a backup vocalist for the hip-hop group owned by rapper Eedris Abdul Kareem before quitting to begin his solo career.
He released his debut single, “Dem Mama”, which garnered much traction and brought him to stardom. He also released the viral “Plantain Boy”, highlighting his past struggles. Now, Timaya stands as a successful hitmaker in the Nigerian music industry, having had several hits to his name.
Patoranking:
Patoranking’s story of stardom began with his journey at Ebute Meta in Lagos State. There, he lived and grew up with his parents and siblings in a one-room apartment, also where he did menial jobs, including selling rat poison and bricklaying. His artistry began to unfold when he started underground collaborations with XProject and Konga until he released his first single, “Up in the D Club”, at K-Solo’s Igberaga Records in 2010.
However, it wasn’t until he collaborated with Timaya and released “Alubarika” that he stepped into the limelight. But releasing “Girlie O” earned him his first hit single, which began his journey to stardom. Patoranking has gone on to release several hits like “Abule,” “My Woman, My Everything”, and “No Kissing Baby” and has made a name for himself in the Nigerian music industry.
