Popular Nigerian rapper and singer, Chinko Ekun, has shed light on the numerous challenges confronting emerging talents in the Nigerian music industry.
In a recent interview with Punch, the ‘Able God’ hitmaker described music as a “spiritual venture,” stressing that creating timeless songs requires more than just talent—it takes inspiration, synergy, and authenticity.
Why ‘Able God’ Became a Classic
Speaking about his breakout hit ‘Able God’, Chinko Ekun explained:
“The inspiration was right at the right time, and the featured artistes on the record gave it true vibe and originality. The synergy was 100 when we were creating the song. It was well arranged and it had catchy phrases. The lyrics are relatable… The melodies are memorable, and the lines on the verses are quotable. Finally, a dance step is attached to the record. It stays in the mind of the people.”
Major Hurdles for Upcoming Artistes
Chinko Ekun went on to highlight key roadblocks new artists face in their career journey:
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Financial Constraints: “Even good music needs a lot of promotion,” he noted.
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Lack of Legal Guidance: Many sign contracts blindly without understanding the long-term implications.
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Team Building Struggles: An inability to form a solid, supportive team often stunts growth.
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Industry Inexperience: Without proper knowledge of how the music business works, many young artists struggle to navigate it.
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Lack of Originality: Some, he said, just want to ‘blow’ quickly and end up copying established acts.
“Some artistes are not original and just want to ‘blow’ quickly, finding themselves in the shadow of already established acts,” he added.
Staying Grateful
Despite the ups and downs of the music industry, Chinko Ekun says he remains enthusiastic and thankful:
“I do not have any downtime. Every day is exciting to me. My fans love me every day, and I’m grateful for them.”
