CKay’s recent claim of being the true pioneer of Afrobeats has ignited a fierce debate, with accusations that his contributions have been overlooked and that others in the industry are capitalizing on his innovations without due credit.
Nigerian singer and producer Chukwuka Ekweani, better known as CKay, recently made headlines with a bold declaration about his influence on the Afrobeats genre. The emo-Afrobeats artist took to social media to assert his pivotal role in shaping the contemporary Afrobeats sound.
On September 18, 2024, CKay, renowned for his innovative fusion of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop—highlighted by his global hit “Love Nwantiti”—asserted his impact on the genre. In a series of assertive tweets, CKay emphasized how his unique musical style has been instrumental in defining the current Afrobeats trends. He argued that his contributions have been foundational, inspiring many of today’s artists.
In his tweets, CKay defended his legacy, stating:
“History can’t be altered just because some people have financial incentives to do so… I’ll always be here to set the record straight. CKay is the original. I introduced many of the vibes that today’s Afrobeats artists are now building upon… If you know, you know. People laughed when I pioneered emo Afrobeat and spent time on TikTok, but now others are adopting similar styles under different names and making money. You’re welcome 😎
Every CKay song is a product of my own writing. I also produced or co-produced many of my tracks (except ‘DTF,’ which was written by Talksiick). Anyone claiming authorship of my work is simply lying.”
ckay IS the first. i pioneered many vibes afrobeat artists 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 😎.
— 𝑩𝒇. (@ckay_yo) September 18, 2024
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