Ckay, born Chukwuka Ekweani, is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and music producer signed to Warner Music South Africa and Atlantic Records. Previously with Chocolate City, his 2019 single “Love Nwantiti” became an international sensation, topping the Billboard Afrobeats chart and making history as the first African song to surpass a billion Spotify streams.
Ckay Biography
| Birth Name: | Chukwuka Ekweani |
| Stage Name: | Ckay Yo |
| Born: | 16 July 1995 (age: 28 years old) |
| Birth Place: | Kaduna, Nigeria |
| State Of Origin: | Anambra State |
| Girlfriend • Spouse: | Not Married |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Occupation: | Singer • Record Producer |
| Net Worth: | $3 million |
Early Life
Ckay (born July 16, 1995) was born in Kaduna, a state in northwest Nigeria. He is of the Igbo ethnic group and hails from Anambra State. His passion for music was sparked by his father, who led the choir at their church. As a child, he was fascinated by musical instruments, and this curiosity led him to learn the piano with his father’s guidance.
Career
In 2014, the Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer moved to Lagos after being discovered. He signed with Loopy Music and began collaborating with Chocolate City in 2015. On May 6, 2016, he released the promotional single “Bad Musician Bad Producer,” providing its instrumental for free download and commercial use.
Following Loopy Music’s merger with Chocolate City, CKay officially joined Chocolate City in August 2016. Later that year, on October 23, a cover version of his song by Kelly Joe earned him special recognition from TNMA.
On September 11, 2017, He released his debut EP, “Who the F*ck Is CKay?” through Chocolate City. His career took off with the release of the Afrobeat single “Container” on March 2, 2018, influenced by the South African gwara gwara dance style. The song gained significant airplay in Nigeria.
CKay released his second EP, “CKay the First,” on August 30, 2019, which included the hit track “Love Nwantiti.” The song’s remix, released on February 14, 2020, featuring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene, went viral on TikTok in 2021, turning into an international hit, charting across Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, and securing a spot on the US Billboard Hot 100.
CKay’s “Love Nwantiti” spawned multiple remixes across various regions, solidifying his international appeal. He appeared on Davido‘s song “La La” from the album “A Better Time” in 2020. In 2021, he released his third EP, “Boyfriend,” through Warner Music South Africa. He later clarified that he was no longer signed to Chocolate City.
By October 2021, CKay became the first African artist to reach over 21 million monthly listeners on Spotify. His single “Emiliana,” released on December 3, 2021, was a chart success, earning platinum certification in France and ranking high in Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 50 chart.
CKay continued to gain recognition with collaborations on Ayra Starr’s album and the release of his single “Watawi,” which featured Davido, Focalistic, and Abidoza. By June 2022, he became the second African artist to reach 1.2 billion streams on Spotify, further solidifying his place as one of the leading artists in the Afrobeats scene.
In August 2022, He surpassed 100 Million Streams On Boomplay and was given a Golden Club plaque from Boomplay. According to Boomplay data analysis, his music was part of 3,549 playlists, with over 120 countries enjoying and streaming Ckay songs on Boomplay as of August 18, 2022.
Discography
EPs
- Who the Fuck Is CKay? (2017)
- CKay the First (2019)
- Boyfriend (2021)
- ALBUM
- Sad Romance (2022)
Awards
- 2021: Muzikol Music Awards – Best African Song for “Love Nwantiti”
- 2022: Brit Awards – Best International Song – Songwriters & Publishers of the Most-Performed Songs of the Year Himself for “Love Nwantiti (ah ah ah) [Remix]”.
Personal Life
Following Ckay’s rise to fame in the Nigerian music scene, his personal life, especially his romantic relationships, has attracted some attention. However, he’s kept things private, not sharing details about his dating life. The singer from Kaduna hasn’t been seen publicly with a significant other or linked to anyone in rumours or gossip.
Social Media
Follow him on all her social media platforms:
Net Worth
Ckay is a well-known Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer. His net worth is $3 million, making him one of the wealthiest musicians in Nigeria. His unique sound and style have earned him a loyal following in Nigeria and internationally. Ckay is known for his hit songs, including “Love Nwantiti,” “Container,” and “Felony.” He has collaborated with numerous music industry artists and won several awards.
FAQs
How old is CKay?
He is 28 years of age. Born on July 16, 1995.
How did CKay become famous?
His 2019 single “Love Nwantiti” became an international sensation, topping the Billboard Afrobeats chart and making history as the first African song to surpass a billion Spotify streams.