Wizard Chan
{{Short description|Nigerian hip-hop singer}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Wizard Chan
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name = Fuayefika Maxwell
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|YYYY|MM|DD}}
| birth_place = Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
| genre = {{Flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{Flatlist|
- Singer
- songwriter
}}
| instrument = {{Flatlist|
- Vocals
- piano
}}
| years_active = 2020–present
| label = Chan Empire
| spouse =
}}
Fuayefika Maxwell (born 26, June) known professionally as Wizard Chan is a Nigerian Afro-Teme and reggae singer, songwriter and music producer.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-04 |title=Spotlight Monday – Wizard Chan - The49thStreet |url=https://the49thstreet.com/spotlight-monday-wizard-chan/,%20https://the49thstreet.com/spotlight-monday-wizard-chan/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |language=en-US}} He released his first official single titled 'Halo Halo' in 2020. However, he rose to limelight with the hit single ‘Earth Song’ which was released in December 2022. In 2023, he won awards at The Headies and the Galaxy Music Awards.{{Cite magazine |date=2023-09-04 |title=Rema, Burna Boy, Wizard Chan Top 2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/headies-awards-2023-full-winners-list-rema-burna-boy-1235405814/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |magazine=Billboard}}
Early life
Maxwell was born on 26 June in Okrika, Rivers State, to the family of Chief & Mrs Fuayefika, as the last of five children. He is an indigene of Port Harcourt, and also spent most of his childhood there. He acquired his secondary education from De World International Secondary School, Rivers State. He graduated from Wisconsin International University College in Accra, Ghana where he studied Marketing. He returned to Nigeria after graduation and went to Sokoto for his NYSC.{{Cite web |last=Jayeoba |first=Deborah |date=2023-04-11 |title=Wizard Chan: The Messenger Of The Creator {{!}} African Folder |url=https://africanfolder.com/wizard-chan-interview/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |language=en-US}}
Music career
Maxwell started writing songs as a child. He was a member of the choir and recorded his first unofficial song in December 2011 after his secondary education . With time, he started by making covers of various hit songs and posting it on social media platforms.{{Cite web |last=Animashaun |first=Damilola |date=2023-02-03 |title=uNder: Best New Artists (January 2023) |url=https://thenativemag.com/best-new-artists-january-2023/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}
In 2020, he officially started his music career by debuting his first single titled ‘Halo Halo’.{{Cite web |last=Mgbemena |first=Chukwuebuka |date=2023-04-21 |title=Afro-Reggae Has Come A Long Way. These Are The Leading Faces - Digimillennials |url=https://digimillennials.com/music/afro-reggae-has-come-a-long-way-these-are-the-leading-faces/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |language=en-US}} In October 2020, he released another single ‘Truth’. However, he did not gain much recognition until December 2022 when he released the single titled ‘Earth Song’.{{Cite news |last=Wemakor |first=Senanu Damilola |date=2023-02-15 |title=Chris Brown, Don Jazzy endorse Wizard Chan's 'Earth Song' - Starr Fm |url=https://starrfm.com.gh/2023/02/chris-brown-don-jazzy-endorse-wizard-chans-earth-song/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |work=Starr Fm |language=en-US}} The song gained him popularity and climbed the charts as one of the Top 20 Songs in Nigeria on Apple Music.{{Cite web |last=Ihejirika |first=Uzoma |date=2023-09-04 |title=Meet Wizard Chan, the latest Headies 'Best Alternative Son8062g' Winner He is widely known as native doctor|url=https://thenativemag.com/meet-wizard-chan-alternative/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=The NATIVE |language=en-US}}
Discography
= Singles =
- Halo Halo
- Truth
- Y.O.L.O
- Miss You -- Thousand Voice ft Wizard Chan (2022)
- Earth Song
- Highlife
- Moses ft Boma Nime {{Cite web |title=The Best Afrobeats Songs Right Now - Okayplayer |url=https://www.okayafrica.com/best-afrobeats-african-music/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website=www.okayafrica.com |language=en}}
- Drumline -- 01FRNCH ft Wizard Chan
- Beast of Our nation -- King Perryy ft Wizard Chan & Tuzi {{Cite web |last=BellaNaija.com |date=2023-06-23 |title=New Music: King Perryy feat. Wizard Chan & Tuzi – Beast of our Nation |url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2023/06/king-perryy-wizard-chan-tuzi-beast-of-our-nation/ |access-date=2024-01-23 |website= |language=en-US}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Award !Category !Nominee !Result !Ref |
| rowspan="3" |2023
| rowspan="2" |The Headies |Best Alternative Song of the year |Earth song |{{won}} |
| Best Songwriter of the Year
|Himself |{{nom}} |
| Galaxy Music Awards
|Best Alternative Song of the year |Earth song |{{won}} |{{Cite news |title=Winners at The 5th Edition Of The Galaxy Music Awards |url=https://galaxymusicawards.com/winners-at-the-5th-edition-of-the-galaxy-music-awards/ |work=Galaxy Music Awards}}{{Cite news |title=Galaxy Music Awards 2023: Odumodu Blvck, Burna Boy, Omah Lay, Wizard Chan, Flavour dominate nominees' list |url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/11/galaxy-music-awards-2023-odumodu-blvck-burna-boy-omah-lay-flavour-dominate-nominees-list/ |work=Vanguard Newspaper}} |