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CKay

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Ckay
CKay in 2019
Born
Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani[1]

(1995-07-16) 16 July 1995 (age 29)
Kaduna, Nigeria
NationalityNigerian
EducationZamani College, Kaduna state, Nigeria.
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, record producer
Years active2016–present
AgentAsa Asika
WorksDiscography
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
  • Vocals
  • piano
  • drums
  • guitar
Labels
Websiteckay-music.com

Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani (born 16 July 1995), better known by his stage name Ckay (stylized as CKay), is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer signed to Boyfriend Music, Warner Music Africa (formerly known as; Warner Music South Africa) and Atlantic Records.[2][3] He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single "Love Nwantiti", also known as "Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ahh)", was released in 2019 by Chocolate City.

On 29 March 2022, the song debuted at number one, following the launch of the Billboard Afrobeats chart.[4] On 9 May 2022, it became the first-ever African song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and has since been deemed "the biggest hit in African history".[5][6] Asa Asika signed Ckay to The Plug, under management during the early peak of his global career as Ckay's manager.[7]

Early life

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Chukwuka Ekweani was born in Kaduna, a state in the north-western region of Nigeria. He is of Igbo descent from Anambra State, located in the southeastern part of Nigeria. His love for music was driven by his father, who was a choir conductor at their local church.[8] While growing up, he was moved by musical instruments,[8] which prompted him to learn the piano from his father.[9] Thereafter, a friend introduced him to the production software Fruity Loops.[9] Chukwuka started off his music career as a member of a band, made up of him and two other bandmates, before beginning his solo career as CKay.[8]

Career

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2014–2017: Chocolate City and Who Is CKay?

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In 2014, he relocated to Lagos after he got discovered. While signed to Loopy Music, he began working with Chocolate City, in early 2015.[10] On 6 May 2016, he released a promotional single titled "Bad Musician Bad Producer", with its instrumental made available for free downloads across all Nigerian blogs for commercial use for covers, club, and airplay. Following the merger of Loopy Music in 2016, he officially joined Chocolate City artist roster in August 2016.[11] On 23 October 2016, "Bad Musician Bad Producer" cover by Kelly Joe,[12] was nominated by TNMA and earned CKay, a special recognition. On 11 September 2017, he released Who the F*ck Is CKay? - ep,[13] through Chocolate City.

2018–2021: "Love Nwantiti", Warner Music Africa and "Emiliana"

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On 2 March 2018, he released "Container", an Afrobeat record influenced by the South African gwara gwara dance style. The song became a breakthrough record in Nigeria and earned him substantial airplay. It was released through Chocolate City, and was produced by Tempoe.[14] On 6 July 2018, he released the music video, directed and shot by the Myth.[15] On 30 August 2019, he released his second extended play CKay the First through Chocolate City.[16] The "EP" spawned the hit track "Love Nwantiti", which became a major record in Nigeria. On 14 February 2020, CKay released a remix titled "Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)" featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene. In 2021, it went viral on TikTok[17] and became an international hit, charting across Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, also reaching number 23 in the UK[18] and earned him his first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. A North African remix featuring ElGrande Toto became popular in the Maghreb countries and in Germany. A French remix featured Franglish, a German remix featuring Frizzo, Joeboy, and Kuami Eugene, the Spanish version with De La Ghetto, the East African remix featuring Rayvanny, and a South African remix featuring Tshego and Gemini Major.

On 13 November 2020, he appeared on the song "La La" from Davido's studio album A Better Time, released through Davido Music Worldwide, RCA Records, and Sony Music. On 11 February 2021, he released his third ep Boyfriend through Warner Music South Africa.[19] On 4 May 2021, CKay tweeted “I’m NOT signed to Chocolate City. I’m signed to Warner Music South Africa.”[20] On 28 July 2021, he received a Silver Creator Award from YouTube, at 100k subscribers.[21] On 6 August 2021, he appeared on the song "Beggie Beggie" from Ayra Starr's debut studio album 19 & Dangerous, released through Mavin Records. On 8 October 2021, Ckay became the first African artist to hit 20 Million Spotify Listeners, with over 21 million monthly listeners on his Spotify page.[22] On 3 November 2021, he reviled his record deal with Atlantic on Power 99.1 FM.[23] On 3 December 2021, CKay released "Emiliana", and "By Your Side" featuring Blxckie.[24] On 1 April 2022, the music video was released and directed by Mosh.[25] Emiliana charted across Europe, and Africa, also reaching number 9 in France[26] and earning him, his first top 5 ranking on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart. On 26 May 2022, Emiliana was certified platinum in France.[27]

2022–present: "Watawi", and other ventures

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On 24 May 2022, Starr's "Beggie Beggie" earned him, a special recognition at The Headies, in the Best Collaboration category. On 17 June 2022, he released "Watawi", featuring Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza, which peaked at number 13 on Nigeria's TurnTable Top 50 and was accompanied by a music video, directed by Dalia Dias. On 20 June 2022, CKay became the second African artist to reach 1.2 billion streams and was surpassed by 200 million streams from Burna Boy, as the most-streamed with a total of 1.4 billion streams.[28] In August 2022, CKay surpassed 100 Million Streams On Boomplay, and was given a golden club plaque from Boomplay.[29] According to Boomplay statistics, CKay music was part of 3,549 playlists, with over 120 countries enjoying and streaming Ckay songs on Boomplay as of 18 August 2022.[29]

On 27 August 2024, CKay and his childhood friend Joseph Salubi, launched Boyfriend Music, a music publishing and management company, with an American subsidiary, stylized as Boyfrnd Music, with the sole aim to extend its support to artists, songwriters, and producers globally.[30]

In October 2024, CKay released a 12-track sophomore album titled EMOTIONS featuring Olamide, The Cavemen (band), Ty Dolla $ign and Nora Fatehi.[31] [32]

Artistry

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If Alté means ‘different’, then I guess so. I see everybody that is considered Alté; Lady Donli, Odunsi, and the rest of them and they are being themselves. They sing what they want to, act like they want to, take pictures like they want to, dress like they want to, and I do the same. I am myself and do the things I want to, regardless of society and external pressures. I don’t give a fuck about what anybody thinks and I make Afrobeats. I don’t know if that’s Alté, but that’s me. That’s CKay.

- Culture Custodian[33]

CKay has personally dubbed his sound "Emo-afrobeats", to note his focus on emotional and romantic lyricism in his music. CKay has made tracks in a variety genres including Afrobeats, R&B and dancehall.[34] On 4 June 2019, in an interview with Ayo Onikoyi of Vanguard Nigeria, he described his style of music as Afro-pop from the future (2056 A.D specifically).[35] On 24 September 2021, the OCC writer Helen Ainsley, describes CKay's music as fusing Afrobeats with pop, electronic music, and even interpolating classical music.[36] On 29 October 2021, Nelson C.J. of Teen Vogue, listed CKay among other Nigerian artists confused to be Alté singers.[37]

Discography

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Main article: CKay discography

Extended plays

Album

Accolades

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Year Awards ceremony Award description(s) Nominated work Results
2017 Top Naija Music Awards Best Song Cover "Bad Musician Bad Producer" by Kelly Joe Nominated
2018 City People Music Award Best New Act of the Year Himself[38] Nominated
2020 City People Music Award Best Collabo of the Year Love Nwantiti "(with. Joeboy, & Kuami Eugene)"[39] Nominated
2021 All Africa Music Awards Most Promising African Artist Himself "Felony"[40] Nominated
Mobo Awards Best African Music Act Himself[41] Nominated
Muzikol Music Awards Biggest African Music Exporter Himself[42] Nominated
Best African Song "Love Nwantiti"[43] Won
2022 Brit Awards Best International Song "Love Nwantiti" Nominated
Songwriters & Publishers of the Most-Performed Songs of the Year Himself for "Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah) [Remix]"[44][45] Honour
The Future Awards Africa Prize for Music (Endowed by Infinix) Himself Nominated
The Headies Best Collaboration "Beggie Beggie" (with. Ayra Starr) Nominated
Digital Artiste of the Year Himself Nominated
Global Music Awards Africa[46][47] Afrobeat Artist of the Year Himself Nominated
Afrobeat Song of the Year "Love Nwantiti" Nominated
Songwriter of the Year CKay and ElGrande Toto Nominated
Popular Song of the Year "Love Nwantiti" Nominated
American Music Awards Favorite Afrobeats Artist Himself Nominated
Soul Train Music Awards Best New Artist Himself Nominated
NRJ Music Awards Social Hit of the Year Himself Nominated
2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards Afrobeats Artist Himself Nominated
The Headies Best R&B Single "mmadu" Nominated
29th South African Music Awards Rest Of Africa Artist Himself for Sad Romance Pending

Tours

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  • Sad Romance Tour (2022)[48]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "ANYA MMIRI". ASCAP. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. Retrieved 10 July 2023.
  2. ^ King, Matthew (14 September 2024). "CKay Biography, Birthday & Net worth 2024". Warner Music South Africa.
  3. ^ "Atlantic Records CKay". Atlantic Records Official Website. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  4. ^ Frankenberg, Eric (29 March 2022). "CeeKay's 'Love Nwantiti' Is No. 1 on First Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs Chart". Billboard. Archived from the original on 6 April 2022. Retrieved 5 April 2022.
  5. ^ Shaw, Lucas. "A Nigerian Singer Released the Biggest Hit in African History". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  6. ^ Courage, Onyema (10 May 2022). "CKay's 'Love Nwantiti' surpasses 1 billion streams on Spotify across all versions". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2022.
  7. ^ Oriowo, Ayomide. "Asa Asika & Bizzle Are Creating a Legacy With The Plug". Turntable Charts. Archived from the original on 1 January 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  8. ^ a b c Mbendeni, Alutho. "Nigerian star CKay speaks to us about being 'Africa's boyfriend' and new music". Drum. Archived from the original on 1 October 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Ckay Wants to Be Your Boyfriend: Interview". DJBooth. Archived from the original on 2 October 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  10. ^ Olorunsola, Michael (9 June 2017). "Chocolate City's CKay discusses His New Single, Coming Projects & More on Exclusive Interview with BN Music". BellaNaija. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  11. ^ "Ckay Signs To Chocolate City Music". Nigerian Voice. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  12. ^ "2016 Top Naija Music Awards Shortlisted Nominees". Top Naija Music Awards. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  13. ^ Idowu, Tomi (8 September 2017). "Ckay Leverages The Publicity With Release of 'Who The Fuck Is Ckay EP'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  14. ^ "New Music: CKay – Container". BellaNaija. 2 March 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  15. ^ "New Video: CKay – Container". BellaNaija. 9 July 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  16. ^ BellaNaija.com (6 September 2019). "Ckay Releases new EP "Ckay the First" | Stream on BN". BellaNaija. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  17. ^ C.J, Nelson (24 September 2021). "CKay's 'Love Nwantinti' Took Over TikTok -- But He's Only Now Getting Full Credit". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Ckay's 'Love Nwantiti' charts at No. 23 on the official UK top 40". Pulse Nigeria. 21 September 2021. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  19. ^ "Ckay releases new EP, 'Boyfriend'". Pulse Nigeria. 12 February 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  20. ^ Daramola, Kunle (4 May 2021). "Ckay: I'm signed to WMG South Africa NOT Chocolate City". TheCable. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  21. ^ "CKay Receives Youtube Plaque for Crossing New Milestone". NotjustOk. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  22. ^ "CKay Makes History As First African Artist to Hit 20 Million Spotify Listeners". OkayAfrica. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  23. ^ Aderoju, Darlene. "Chartbreaker: Inside CKay's Global Success With a Years-Old Hit". Power 99.1 - Tri-Cities #1 Hit Music Station!. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  24. ^ "New Music: CKay – Emiliana + By Your Side feat. Blxckie". BellaNaija. 5 December 2021. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  25. ^ "New Video: CKay – Emiliana". BellaNaija. 1 April 2022. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  26. ^ "Top Singles (Week of May 13, 2022)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  27. ^ Edeme, Victoria (31 May 2022). "Ckay's 'Emiliana' gets platinum certification in France". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2 July 2022.
  28. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (21 June 2022). "CKay becomes second most streamed Afrobeats artist after surpassing 1.2 billion streams". Pulselive Kenya. Retrieved 29 June 2022.
  29. ^ a b Damilola, Adedayo. "Ckay Hits 100 Million Streams On Boomplay". Cool FM. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  30. ^ Oamen, Samuel. "Ckay, Salubi float music publishing, management company". The Nation. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  31. ^ Jacob, Philemon. "Emotions By CKay: Unconvincing Sophomore Offers Nothing Remotely Close To New". African Folder. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  32. ^ Blogger, Burger. "Ckay – Emotions EP". SeekHypes. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  33. ^ "CKay, Your Afrobeats Boyfriend, Won't Stop Making Authentic Music". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). 12 March 2021. Archived from the original on 22 April 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  34. ^ "I'm the future of Afrobeat music – CKay". Vanguard News. 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
  35. ^ "I'm the future of Afrobeat music – CKay". Vanguard News. 4 June 2019. Archived from the original on 4 June 2019. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  36. ^ Ainsley, Helen. "Who is CKay? The Emo-Afrobeat artist flying up the charts with Love Nwantiti". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  37. ^ "The Alté Movement Is a Symbol of Rebellion for Young Nigerians". Teen Vogue. 29 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  38. ^ "#CPMA2018: City People Music Awards Nominees' List Out". City People Magazine. 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  39. ^ "#CPMA2020: Citypeople releases nominations for 2020 Music Awards". City People Magazine. 30 November 2020. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 15 October 2021.
  40. ^ "FULL LIST: Wizkid earns six AFRIMA 2021 nominations". TheCable Lifestyle. 22 September 2021. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  41. ^ "FULL LIST: Rema, Ayra Starr, CKay nominated for 2021 MOBO Awards". TheCable Lifestyle. 11 November 2021. Archived from the original on 17 November 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  42. ^ "Ckay". Muzikol Music Awards. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  43. ^ "Winners for MUMA 2021". Muzikol Music Awards. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  44. ^ "2022 BMI London Music Awards". BMI.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  45. ^ "Tems, Wizkid & CKay Among Top Winners at BMI London Awards". BellaNaija. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
  46. ^ "Global Music Awards Africa 2022: All the nominees". Music In Africa. 26 January 2022. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  47. ^ ofori, joseph (19 April 2022). "GLOBAL MUSIC AWARDS AFRICA 2022 - Full List Of Winners". Ghanamusicblog.net 🇬🇭. Retrieved 7 July 2022.
  48. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (24 August 2022). "Ckay drops dates for 'Sad Romance' North America Album Tour". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
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