CKay

CKay is a Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer, born Chukwuka Ekweani, who rose from behind-the-scenes production work to become one of Afrobeats' biggest global crossover stars. Before stepping into the spotlight himself, he built a reputation as a hitmaker for other artists, producing tracks under his signature tag and working with names like M.I Abaga, DJ Neptune, Ice Prince and Zlatan. He began releasing his own music in the late 2010s, putting out the EP «Who the Fxck is Ckay» in 2017 and following it with the project «Ckay The First» in 2019.

CKay describes his sound as Afro-Futuristic, a blend that draws on Afrobeats, R&B and pop with a smooth, melodic vocal style layered over lush, synth-driven production. His global breakthrough came with «love nwantiti (ah ah ah)», a slow-burning love song that became a worldwide viral phenomenon years after its original release, spawning countless remixes and versions including a North African remix and a French remix that introduced him to entirely new audiences across Africa, Europe and beyond.

Beyond his own catalogue, CKay's dual identity as artist and producer gives his music a distinct polish, and his willingness to reinterpret his own hits in different languages and styles has been central to his crossover success. Tracks like «emiliana» and «Felony» further showcase his knack for intimate, romantic songwriting wrapped in contemporary Afro-pop arrangements.