From “Love Nwatiti” to Sad Romance – Ckay’s Debut Album Cements

Writer

GQ Magazine

The Nigerian singer-songwriter behind 2022's viral hit presents his first studio album and it's chockfull of his signature lovesick lyricism.

Whether you’re endlessly scrolling on TikTok or falling down Instagram’s bottomless rabbit hole, you’ve no doubt heard CKay’s unforgettable hit single “love nwatiti”.

The Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer only rose to stardom in recent years but he has already broken some pretty remarkable records with the first African song in history to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and the top track on the first-ever Billboard US Afrobeats. One may go as far as to say the Kaduna-born artist has permanently altered Afrobeats as a genre and has had a hand in shifting it from the underground to the mainstream.

The reason behind CKay’s success is simple – his genuine, heartfelt lyricism combined with an almost celestial undertone has appealed to the masses.

Today, with the release of Ckay’s debut studio album Sad Romance, he is putting Afrobeats on the global stage once again and there’s no stopping him. The 12-track album features some of the most exciting Afrobeats artists including Arya Starr.

What music did you grow up listening to?

Growing up, I listened to a wide range of music. From Westlife to Backstreet Boys, Usher to Beethoven, Kirk Franklin to Paramore.

Your breakout moment arrived with the release of “Love Nwantiti”. How did that song come out? Where did you write it? Why do you think it resonated with so many people?

I was in my living room one night in Lagos and I was making a beat and freestyling like I usually do when “Love Nwantiti” happened. I think it resonated with so many people because they undeniably felt the vibe.

What impact do you think social media platforms such as TikTok are having on the way you and other artists make and distribute music?

TikTok has definitely had an influence on the speed at which my music travels the world, but I won’t say it affects the way I make music. When I make music, the art comes first, then the distribution. The distribution doesn’t determine the art. It’s the other way around.

You’ve characterised your sound as “Emo Afrobeats”. Why, and how/when did you feel it was your defining sound?

The effect of my music on people was clear to me and everyone. My music comes from an emotional place and when people listen they feel those emotions. My music has a bit more emotion than usual. The name became clear to me about two years ago.

Afrobeats is having a moment all over the world and entering the mainstream at the moment. Why do you think this is happening?

I think it’s happening because so much quality music is coming from the genre and the world is enjoying it.

Please share with us more about your debut album. What themes do you explore and what was your creative process like?

Sad Romance is my personal love story. My love life is always a rollercoaster of emotions. I turned these emotions into songs. My creative process was really fluid. I recorded this album while I was on the road. I was connecting with diverse creative energy around the world. It involved lots of real-life and online sessions, emails, Zoom calls etc.

Is there a specific song/lyric that means the most to you? Why?

“You give me good vibes and bad energy but I can never ever leave you”. I think it sums up how toxic my relationship was.

What kind of impact are you hoping to make on the music scene in Africa and around the world?

I hope to shift the soundscape and improve the quality of Afrobeats music that exists in the world. I want to unite the world with my sound

What are your plans for the rest of 2022? Any upcoming tour dates?

Yes. I’ll be touring North America and Europe in October and November.

Finally, what advice do you have for other young African musicians who are aspiring to the same level of success you have achieved?

Make the best possible art you can. Believe in yourself and never stop.

Listen to Sad Romance on Spotify now.