Nigerian singer and songwriter Ric Hassani has opened up about his struggles and triumphs in the music industry during a candid appearance on the CreativiTea podcast.
The “Thunder Fire You” crooner shared that despite releasing music for over 10 years, many fans still know him only for that viral hit, unaware of his earlier songs that earned him millions of streams globally.
Hassani revealed that his unique R&B sound initially made it difficult to land a record deal in Lagos, with many believing Nigerians wouldn’t connect with his soft, soulful music. “Nobody wanted to sign me because I sounded different. Deep down I felt this thing won’t bang in Nigeria,” he said.
A surprise break came when his song was featured in a Bellanaija proposal video. The track’s placement sparked online buzz, prompting calls for performance gigs — one of which paid more than his monthly salary as an employee at Access Bank, where he worked before fully venturing into music.
“They posted the video and people were asking, ‘What song is that?’ Instead of talking about the couple!” Hassani recalled. “That gig was worth more than my Access Bank salary. I quit that job the next day.”
He also reflected on the early struggles of affording stylists, borrowing clothes already worn by other artists, and investing his limited funds into making an unforgettable impression.
Calling for more success stories in Nigeria’s R&B scene, Ric stressed that breaking out as an R&B artist in Nigeria requires self-belief and persistence:
“Finding success isn’t about chasing — it’s about finding yourself.”
He teased his excitement for his upcoming album, which will feature a surprising collaboration with Portable, showcasing his evolving sound and versatility.
