The emo-Afrobeats star took to social media to stake his claim as a key figure in the Afrobeats scene.
Nigerian singer and producer Chukwuka Ekweani, popularly known as CKay, sparked reactions with a series of bold tweets about his role in shaping the Afrobeat(s) genre.
Famed for his unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and pop, CKay’s global success—most notably with his smash hit Love Nwantiti—has significantly contributed to the genre’s evolving sound. On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the singer-songwriter took to Twitter to assert his influence on the Afrobeats movement, emphasising the impact his music has had not just on fans but also on fellow artistes who have embraced and expanded on the trends he helped popularise.
In his tweets, CKay confidently expressed how his sonic innovations have paved the way for many of today’s Afrobeats artists and that cannot be rewritten. He wrote:
“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 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 😎
every ckay song out there was written by ckay. i also produced/co-produced a good number (except dtf written by talksiick). any artist or producer who claims they wrote my song is a LIAR.”
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No doubt, as one of the leading voices in modern Afrobeats, CKay’s influence is undeniable. His signature style has not only shaped the genre but continues to inspire a new wave of artists who are building on the foundation he helped create.