Nigerian singer CKay, known for his global hit “Love Nwantiti,” recently called out some of his fellow Afrobeats artists. According to CKay, these artists once mocked him for creating his own unique version of Afrobeats. Now, they are copying the same style they laughed at.
CKay mentioned that when he first started promoting Afrobeats songs on TikTok, he faced criticism. Other artists in the industry didn’t take him seriously and made fun of his approach. However, as time passed, these same artists began adopting the same methods CKay pioneered.
In a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, CKay expressed his frustration but also pointed out the irony of the situation. He feels proud that his creativity has shaped the Afrobeats scene, even though it was initially met with resistance.
“Many of the things people are doing today, I started them,” CKay said. His success, especially with “Love Nwantiti,” proved the effectiveness of his strategies, particularly his use of TikTok to make his music go viral.
Post shared on his X (formerly Twitter)
“history can’t be rewritten just because some people got paid to rewrite it…i’ll always be here to remind you.
“CKay is the first. I pioneered many vibes Afrobeats artistes thrive off today…iykyk. Y’all laughed when I came up with emo-afrobeat and was on TikTok all day but many are now doing the same thing, calling it ridiculous names (& making $$). you’re welcome sha.”
Despite the challenges and early criticism, CKay’s influence on the Afrobeats genre cannot be ignored. His innovation and persistence have paved the way for new artists, and many have followed in his footsteps.