Tag: zlatan ibile

Zlatan Ibile, the popular Nigerian rapper, has disclosed why he won’t invest in up-and-coming talents.

Speaking on the Adesope Live show, Zlatan explained that investing in up-and-coming artistes was risky, stressing that he is unsure if such investment would yield profit.

He emphasised that he is in the music industry strictly for business and financial stability.

“I will rather go buy a house rather than put money on these artistes that I’m not sure will be successful or not,” he said.

“The reason I am making music is for financial stability. My goal is to be able to be responsible and financially stable. In the beginning of my career, I wasn’t balanced. I suffered from pressure and anxieties.”

Zlatan, however, said he is willing to collaborate with up-and-coming artistes, stressing that he was giving similar assistance while coming up.

Rapper and singer Zlatan Ibile has shared insights into how he began his journey into music as a professional career.

Speaking in an interview with Nandi Madida on Apple Music 1, the singer disclosed that his journey into music began after he failed to secure admission into the university due to his poor grades in Mathematics and Accounting.

The singer explained that his new album, ‘Symbol of Hope’, is rooted in his desire to inspire others who come from difficult backgrounds.

He said, “I used to listen to music before I even knew I was going to make music. I was already a fan of so many artists and saw them as symbols; people whose lives changed from nothing to something. Now, being in this position myself, I see how my music inspires others not to give up. I get so many messages from people who tell me my songs keep them going. That’s why I decided to call the album ‘Symbol of Hope’. It’s my way of saying, ‘If I can do it, you can too.

“I was supposed to go to university in 2011 or 2012, but I didn’t have my complete papers. My dad is a pastor, and I used to play drums in church, but I never thought I’d become an artiste. When I failed my exam, I started going to the studio with a friend. The first song I recorded was rubbish, but when I played it for my siblings, they made me feel like Jay-Z that day.”

Encouraged by his friends and family, Zlatan kept making music, even though he initially treated it like a hobby. His breakthrough came while he was in his first semester at university, when he entered and won a rap competition

Zlatan further stated, “I didn’t even believe anyone could win a car through music. Out of 140 contestants, I won. I was just 19, and it was only three weeks into school. That was when I started taking rap seriously. I was writing every day and night. That moment changed my life.”

Zlatan also reflected on creating his globally recognised dance move, Zanku, an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us.

He said, “That’s Africa to the world. The most interesting thing is that I attached my name to it. There’s no way you’ll mention Zanku without mentioning Zlatan. Growing up, I always wanted to have my own dance move, and when it happened, it went viral globally.”

Temidayo Omoniyi, the Nigerian rapper popularly known as Zlatan Ibile, has reflected on his struggles as an upcoming artist during his time at Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The Zanku crooner shared that he was still struggling financially even after winning the Airtel One Mic Talent show in 2014.

Zlatan revealed that he was using the car he won from the competition for transport business at night to support his education and feeding.

“Back in school, when there was no money for food, I would d just wait till night and use the car I won from the Airtel One Mic Talent show to run cab from Abeokuta to Shagamu for ₦350,” he recalled in an interview with popular streamer, Shank Comics.

Zlatan Ibile won the Airtel One Mic Talent show in 2014 at the age of 19.

However, his breakthrough in the music industry came when he featured ace rapper Olamide on his hit song, ‘My Body’ in 2017.

The Zanku Music boss has described the collaboration in a previous interview as the turning point of his career.

He credited Olamide for giving him a “life-changing” verse.

Rapper Zlatan Ibile has advised upcoming artistes to be ready to hire professional psychologists to help manage their mental health once they achieve success.

The Zanku crooner gave the advice via his social media page on Thursday.

He urged up-and-coming artists and their sponsors to prioritise therapy expenses alongside marketing budgets.

On his X handle, Zlatan wrote, “If you get brother or sister wey be fast rising artist and you believe say he or she go blow as una dey keep money for marketing and promo make una dey keep therapist money for one side tooo cos lol!!!”

His message reckoned with sentiments that the music industry is “emotionally tasking.”

On the years, several Nigerian musicians have spoken up about falling into depression while navigating the music industry.

Recall that in 2022, singer, Omah Lay shared via his X handle that his depression worsened after he had a sexual affair with his therapist.