Nigerian Hip-Hop and Afrobeats singer Ayo “Wizkid” Balogun’s mother, Mrs Jane Dolapo Balogun, who passed on in the wee hours of Friday, played a significant role in Wizkid’s life and musical career, according to findings, and the singer never missed any opportunity to celebrate her.
The Grammy Award-winning singer’s mother’s death was made public by his long-time manager, Sunday Aare, who confirmed to several media platforms that “she died this [Friday] morning, at about 1.30 am”.
Since the news broke on the internet, Wizkid’s fans have taken to different social media platforms to express their condolences to the 33-year-old singer.
One thing that has stood out clear from our surfing the net is that Wizkid loved his mother and appreciated her for all her sacrifices. Reports says the late Mrs Balogun encouraged Wizkid’s interest in music by buying him instruments and supporting his participation in the church choir.
Wizkid himself seized every opportunity, in his music and public statements, to show his deep love and appreciation for his mother and often cited her as his biggest inspiration and source of strength in his journey to success.
On Mrs Balogun’s birthday in 2019, Wizkid took to social media to celebrate his mother.
Sharing a photo of his mother on his verified Instagram page, Wizkid also left a short and heartwarming note to his mother, describing her as his backbone, prayer warrior, and life.
“My backbone, prayer warrior, my life!! I love you. I’ll do anything for you, I do everything for you! Long life!” he wrote.
Similarly, Wizkid’s sons celebrated their grandmother as she turned a year older on July 4, 2021 with cute Instagram posts.
The singer’s three sons, Boluwatife, Ayo and Zion, each took to their Instagram pages to celebrate their grandmother.
Wizkid’s first child, Boluwatife, shared some lovely photos with his grandmother, accompanied with a cute birthday message, which read: “Happy Birthday Grandma I Love you.”
His second son, Ayo, shared a photo of Wizkid and Mrs Balogun, also accompanied with a cute and short message: “Happy birthday grandma we love youuu!”
Zion’s page had a black and white photo of the little boy with his grandmother with a cute birthday message: “Birthday Blessings Grandma. I wish you long Life!”
Last year, Wizkid celebrated his mother’s birthday with a beautiful throwback photo of himself and his mother.
Wizkid was born into a polygamous family. His father, Alhaji Muniru Olatunji Balogun, married three wives, and his mother had to cater for him and his two immediate siblings, Yetunde Balogun and Lade Balogun. Punch reports that Mrs Balogun, who was known for her entrepreneurial ventures and commitment to her family’s well-being, raised Wizkid and his siblings as a single mother, showing resilience and determination.
