Wizkid carried speakers, bought amala for us before fame– Toke Makinwa

By Florence Akintola

Media personality, Toke Makinwa, has recounted the days when Nigerian superstar, Ayo ‘Wizkid’ Balogun, was hustling to become who he is today.

In a recent episode of popular interview programme, #WithChude, the business woman challenged young people who want to succeed to put in the work.

“You don’t know the years Wizkid put in to becoming who he is today. Young newbies try music for a year or two and are frustrated because it is not working…dude, when I tell people…I was at Rhythm and Wizkid used to carry speakers and he will be sent by DJs to buy Amala and he will do it, he was the studio rat, just help me play my song he will say. People look at him now and say he is arrogant not knowing the work he had put into this journey,” Makinwa said.

She continued: “It is the same way people can look at me now and say I got it all easy, but if you have been following my career, and seeing the hardwork I put in; you should ask me what I am doing with my life if by now I am not enjoying all I am enjoying now from my hardwork.”

About her late parents,Makinwa said: “My mum was 33 with 4 kids when she died….I am 36 with no kids and I can’t even imagine what went through her mind the last moments knowing she might not make it and leaving 4 kids behind.”

When asked about her take on the Church today, the media personality said:“I am not a fan of Daddy Freeze because he hurts me.We used to be friends but what he did in the past couple of years on churches was necessary. The kind of stories we hear about churches today is embarrassing.I think God has left the church, but seeking personal relationships with his own. Some church practices, doctrines, money consciousness is just ugh.I want to learn to know God on my own. There are people singing in the choir and church workers who need help but church doesn’t do anything to help but collect money.”

On her failed marriage to her ex-husband, Maje Ayida, she noted that: “I am going to be very honest, could I have stayed if it wasn’t so public, maybe! But I will tell you one of the determining factors for me cos I come from a traditional setting that says the legal wife is the main woman even if he has side chics but if I had stayed with him, he would have killed me. Two, I wasn’t convinced it was a mistake because I knew it would happen again.”

When asked who is funding her Ikoyi mansion, expensive lifestyle and luxuty, Makinwa said: “Jesus. I am still trying to find the rich man who they say is funding me.”