photo credit: Jim Dyson l Getty Images

Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer CKay’s pride in his art and musical gifts are chronicled in his latest release with “Emilliana,” but with his recent crossover success, the artist is focused on staying true to his culture and the music he creates.

Pulling up to the Power 106 studios, CKay shops it ups with Power Mornings co-hosts Letty, Teddy Mora, and Javen Cannon, the Afrobeats singer explains his upbringing in Nigeria and how he ran away from his family to pursue music because his family wanted him to enter the medical field or be an engineer. Finding his musical ear with the assistance of a few friends and seeing his dad play the organ as Choir Master, CKay has much planned now and says he would hope to make a song with Billie Eilish and Cardi B.

The “Love Nwantiti” singer explains how the hugely successful song came together back in 2019 and the misconceptions that come with having a viral song on the Tik Tok social media platform. As the song had gone #1 on multiple platforms, CKay dispels the notion that he may only be a “Tik Tok artist.”

CKay goes on to share his opinion about Afrobeats music being watered-down now that the genre has crossed over, what it’s like connecting with Nigerian artists outside of his home country, his upcoming album, and much more.

Check out the full interview below!