Sadiq Onifade, better known by his stage name WurlD, is a Nigerian singer and composer. WurlD, who was born in Lagos, Nigeria, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to finish high school and university, and along the way began making music. He refers to the music he creates as electro-fusion. He released his first EP, Evolution, in 2013.
Early Life and Education
Wurld was born in Lagos, Nigeria on January 2, 1987. He grew up in Mushin, Lagos state, in a family of ten. He comes from a polygamous family, as his father has two wives. He is the first child of his mother.
He received his primary education in Nigeria before moving to the United States during his adolescence to attend high school and university at Georgia State University, where he studied computer science.
Career
WurlD’s first single, “Beyond Our Dreams,” was released in late 2012, and his debut EP, Evolution, was released in the summer of 2013. To coincide with the release of WurlD’s Evolution EP, SESAC hosted an exclusive listening event at their Atlanta office. WurlD began writing songs for Mario’s upcoming album in the recording studio in early 2013. Soon after, on May 2, 2013, MTV: The Wrap Up premiered the music video for Evolution’s second single, “Alive,” directed by Black Shield Entertainment producer Hood Beatz. WurlD worked with BK Brasco, another Timbaland artist, as a featured artist on “Beautiful Girls.” He can also be seen in the music video.
WurlD’s Afro-soul song “Show You Off,” co-written with Major Lazer’s Walshy Fire and Afro-beat producer Shizzi, was released in May 2016. Better Days, a collaboration between WurlD and Sir Felix, was released in June 2016 and served as the official anthem for DelfSail 2016. WurlD co-wrote Davido’s 2019 hit song “Blow My Mind,” which featured Chris Brown (Sadiq Onifade). Shizzi, a frequent collaborator of Davido’s, produced the song. He has also worked with artists such as Naira Marley and Zlatan Ibile.
Discography
Albums
- Evolution (2013)
- Love Is Contagious(2019)
Songs
- Contagious
- Show Youn Off
- Wishes and Butterflies
- All I Need
- Drown
- Feel Right
- Gbemisoke
- Mother’s prayer
- So Good
- Candy
- Trobul
- Beautiful Girls
- Alive
- Beyond Our Dreams
- Paranoid
- Places
- Believe
- Our Hearts Meet
- Interlude
Awards & Nominations
WurlD achieved Gold certification in 2015 with his Sony Music release “Follow You,” which featured Polish DJ Gromee. Along with Rotimi and Wale, he was nominated for the Nigerian Entertainment Award for Best Diaspora Act in 2017.
Best Vocal Performance at the 2019 Headies Awards for his track Wishes & Butterflies (Male).
At the 2019 Headies, he was nominated for Hip Hop World Revelation and Best R&B Single.
Net Worth
He has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
