CKay Biography
Born on July 16, 1995, Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani, better known by his stage name Ckay, is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer who is associated with Atlantic Records and Warner Music South Africa. He was previously signed to Chocolate City, an independent label service provider for Warner Music Group, along with ADA.
Chocolate City launched his global smash song “Love Nwantiti” (also titled “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ahh)”) in 2019. The song made its debut at number one on March 29, 2022, the day the Billboard Afrobeats chart was launched. It was dubbed “the biggest hit in African history” after becoming the first African song to reach one billion listens on Spotify on May 9, 2022.
Ckay was signed by Asa Asika to The Plug Entertainment, where he managed him at the beginning of the height of his international career.
| Born: | 16 July 1995 (age 27 years old), Kaduna, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Category: | Singer |
| Other names: | Ckay Yo |
| Full name: | Chukwuka Ekweani |
| Occupation: | singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Years active: | 2016-present |
| Agent: | chocolate city |
| Spouse(s): | N/A |
| Partner(s): | N/A |
| Parent(s): | Mr. Mrs. Ekweani |
| Children: | N/A |
| Origin: | Anambra State, Nigeria |
| Genres: | Afrobeat |
| Net Worth: | $5,000,000 |
| Labels: | Chocolate City |
| Associated acts: | JoeBoy , Junior Druid , KiDI , Kuami Eugene , Mr Eazi , Rema |
| Social Media: |
CKay Net Worth
As one of Africa’s top vocalists, Ckay has quickly accumulated a fortune through his live performances and record royalties. His estimated net worth ranges from US$2 million to US$5 million.
CKay Early life
The state of Kaduna, located in northwest Nigeria, is the birthplace of Chukwuka Ekweani. He is from Anambra State and is of Igbo heritage. His father, a choir conductor at his neighborhood church, inspired him to pursue a career in music. He was moved by musical instruments as a child, which inspired him to study the piano with his father. He then learned about Fruity Loops, a production program, via a buddy. Before launching his solo career as CKay, Chukwuka began his musical career as a member of a band consisting of himself and two other bandmates.
CKay Education
Leading elementary and senior schools in the country’s northern and southern areas provided Ckay with a top-notch education.
CKay Career
2014–2017: Chocolate City and Who the Fuck Is CKay?
He moved to Lagos in 2014 after he was caught. Early in 2015, he started working with Chocolate City while he was signed to Loopy Music. He published a promotional track called “Bad Musician Bad Producer” on May 6, 2016, and all Nigerian bloggers offered free downloads of the instrumental song for usage in covers, clubs, and radio plays. On August 31, 2016, he became an official member of the Chocolate City artist roster following the Loopy Music merger in 2016. On October 23, 2016, Kelly Joe’s cover of “Bad Musician Bad Producer” received a special award from CKay and a nomination from TNMA. He released Who the Fuck Is CKay? – ep, through Chocolate City on September 11, 2017.
2018–2021: “Love Nwantiti”, Warner Music Africa and “Emiliana”
He released the Afrobeat song “Container” on March 2, 2018, which was influenced by the gwara gwara dance form of South Africa. In Nigeria, the song became a breakthrough hit and brought him a lot of airplay. Temple produced it, while Chocolate City distributed it. The Myth directed and shot the music video, which he published on July 6, 2018. He released CKay the First, his second extended play, through Chocolate City on August 30, 2019. The hit song “Love Nwantiti” from the project went on to become a big hit in Nigeria.
A remix of “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” by CKay, featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene, was released on February 14, 2020. It gained international attention in 2021 after going viral on TikTok, charting throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as peaking at number 23 in the UK. It also gave him his first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100. A North African remix with ElGrande Toto gained popularity in Germany and the Maghreb nations. Franglish was featured in the French version, Frizzo, Joeboy, and Kuami Eugene were featured in the German remix, De La Ghetto was featured in the Spanish version, Rayvanny was featured in the East African remix, and Tshego and Gemini Major were featured in the South African version.
He made an appearance on the song “La La” from Davido’s studio album A Better Time, which was distributed by Sony Music, RCA Records, and Davido Music Worldwide on November 13, 2020. His third EP, the Boyfriend, was released on February 11, 2021 by Warner Music South Africa. CKay tweeted on May 4, 2021, saying, “I’m not signed to Chocolate City.” Warner Music South Africa has signed me. After reaching 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, he was given a Silver Creator Award on July 28, 2021. He made an appearance on the song “Beggie Beggie” from Ayra Starr’s 19 & Dangerous, her debut studio album, which was published by Mavin Records, on August 6, 2021.
With more than 21 million monthly listeners on his Spotify page, Ckay became the first African artist to reach the 20 million listener milestone on October 8, 2021. He renounced his record contract with Atlantic on Power 99.1 FM on November 3, 2021. CKay and Blxckie released “Emiliana” and “By Your Side” on December 3, 2021. Mosh directed the music video, which debuted on April 1, 2022. Emiliana peaked at number nine in France and charted throughout Europe and Africa. and landing him in the top 5 on the Nigeria TurnTable Top 50 chart for the first time. Emiliana received a platinum certification in France on May 26, 2022.
2022–present: “Watawi”
Starr received a special mention for “Beggie Beggie” on May 24, 2022, at The Headies in the Best Collaboration category. He released “Watawi” on June 17, 2022, featuring Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza. A music video made by Dalia Dias was also released for the song, which reached number 13 on Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50. After surpassing 200 million streams from Burna Boy to become the most-streamed artist with a total of 1.4 billion streams on June 20, 2022, CKay became the second African artist to cross 1.2 billion streams.
Boomplay presented CKay with a golden club plaque on August 18, 2022, when he achieved 100 million streams on Boomplay. Boomplay data analysis indicates that as of August 18, 2022, Ckay songs were being streamed and enjoyed in over 120 countries, with 3,549 playlists featuring Ckay music.
CKay Artistry
CKay has termed his own kind of music “Emo-afro beats” to highlight the emotional and romantic lyrics that he emphasizes in it. Afrobeats, R&B, and dancehall are just a few of the genres in which CKay has produced music. In an interview with Ayo Onikoyi of Vanguard Nigeria on June 4, 2019, he referred to his musical style as Afro-pop from the future, particularly 2056 A.D. Helen Ainsley, an OCC writer, characterizes CKay’s music as a fusion of pop, electronic, and even classical music interwoven with Afrobeats on September 24, 2021. On October 29, 2021, Teen Vogue’s Nelson C.J. named CKay alongside other Nigerian musicians who were mistaken for Alté singers.
CKay Personal Life
On July 16, the musician Ckay, who was born in Kaduna, celebrated becoming 28 years old. He goes by the moniker “Your Boyfriend” as well. He has a fair complexion and wears his hair in dreadlocks. Owing to his attractiveness, he has a large following of women that seems to be expanding daily.
Between Lagos and South Africa, where he owns upscale apartments in upscale districts, he divides his time. He also has a collection of exotic vehicles that are kept in the garages of his residences.
In 2022, he departed from Chocolate City Music Group and inked a recording contract with Warner Music South Africa. Plug Entertainment is currently in charge of managing him. On July 28, 2021, he was given his first YouTube plaque in recognition of reaching over 100,000 subscribers.
Ckay prefers to keep matters pertaining to his personal life secret, hence it is unknown what his relationship status is. Rumor has it, though, that he is dating a stunning young woman who lives in Nigeria.
Ckay is well-known for combining dancehall, R&B, Afrobeats, and electronic sounds to create Afropop music. He received a nomination for the 2022 Brit Awards in the Best International Song category.
CKay Personal Life
The Love Nwantiti crooner has a sizable social media following, where he engages with his followers and provides them with career updates.
He has more than 128k Twitter followers and more than 1.1 million Instagram followers.
- Instagram: @ckay_yo
- Twitter: @ckay_yo
- YouTube: Ckay
- Phone Number: Not Available
Ckay On TikTok
@ckay_yo BY NOW AMAPIANO 🚨🚨🚨 #bynowdancechallenge
CKay Discography
- Nkechi Turn Up (2016)
- Container Don Land (2018)
- Love Nwantiti
- Chinekeme
- Gaddemit
- Last Call
- Gmail
- Love Nwantiti
- Felony
- Way
- Beni
- Boyfriend
- Emiliana
- Love Nwantiti remix
- Ckay The First
- Who the Fuck is Ckay?
