The Story of Chike: From Reality Star to Afrobeats Superstar

Nigerian singer and songwriter Chike, is no stranger to the music scene here in Africa. After breaking free from the stigma attached to reality music show contestants of not being able to find mainstream success in the music industry, he’s been able to score number one hits with songs like ‘Running to You’ and ‘Egwu.’ Chike has continued to make a case for himself by pushing creative boundaries with his latest album, ‘Son of Chike,’ offering a deeper, more personal side of his artistry. In this interview, he discusses the inspirations behind the album, his artistic approach and the lessons learned from the business side of music. Chike’s music career thus far highlights his dedication, growth, and a steadfast commitment to his music.

F.A: ‘Son of Chike’ has received a lot of praise for its sound and storytelling. What was the inspiration behind the album, and how does it differ from your previous work?

Chike: When you are an artist, you have people who are waiting to hear something new or something more recent, that’s number one. In my studio there’s a write-up that says, “it’s all about the music,” and for me that’s how it has always been. Most times it’s about knowing how it makes people feel and what emotions they can relate to. The moments I get into the studio those are always the pillars. When I make music, I want them out there so I make a selection of what fits for an album. But I’ve grown up really, I try to make sure I keep the stories in; as many emotions as I can.

F.A: You called the album ‘Son of Chike.’ How does your personal journey, and your connection to family, influence the music on this project?

Chike: I refer to my music as my children. I think it’s because those are the things that have been born out of me pretty much and I know that looking back, these are words that I’ll be proud of. They say your greatest investment is your children so I’m beginning to have mine in the form of this music. I see them as an honest expression of who I am right now. This is me giving out my essence. ‘Son Of Chike’ is a huge piece of me that I’ve put out there because that’s how I see my music now.

F.A: In a bold move, you sold your car to fund your music project. What motivated you to take that risk, and how did it shape the direction of your career?

Chike: That’s how people wanted to understand it. I think at the time I was actually getting another car. So, I was disposing off the one I had. It just sounded like a funny thing to say and I did just that. I was actually moving from a GLE to G-Wagon because I’m a car guy, actually. I’m tilting towards the Range Rover now, although they’re very problematic but quite prestigious and a sweet drive.

F.A: Can you take us through the process of creating Son of Chike? Were there any memorable moments in the studio that significantly shaped the album?

Chike: That’s mostly the times when ideas come and you’re like, “that’s it!” A lot of times you’re struggling, back-to-back days and weeks trying to make a record. But then sometimes artists that I want to put on a record come to the studio and we make music that just sounds beautiful. I live for moments where I’m like “yep, I got it this time!”

F.A: Was that how you felt like when you made ‘Egwu,’ the record with the late Mohbad?

Chike: Well, looking back on everything that has unfolded, it’s easy to say that’s how I felt but honestly, I don’t know for sure.

F.A: Over the years, your music has evolved and gained a larger audience. How do you see your growth as an artist since the release of ‘Boo of the Booless?’

Chike: There’s been immense growth which I’m happy about, you know in terms of numbers, streams followership and all-round growth. I just try to focus on putting out that next song that makes me feel happy and connects with my audience. I keep it moving pretty much and try not to think that far out.

F.A: You’ve been open about your journey, including the sacrifices you’ve made. What lessons have you learned about the business side of the music industry through your experiences?

Chike: I don’t handle the business side so; I cannot answer that honestly. But one thing I know also for music is that, when you put the money back into the music, it comes back to you. You should always put the money back into the music because that’s where the money’s coming from. If there were errors in the past they would probably be where we didn’t put the money or letting other things take the money. Those have been paid attention to and those behaviors have been curtailed.

F.A: ‘Son of Chike’ features a range of emotions and themes, from love to self-discovery. How do you balance making music that is both deeply personal and relatable to your listeners?

Chike: I’m one of those people who believes that music is not just a feeling, but storytelling. I try not to shut down any version of it that comes to me, whether it’s the emotional or romantic or the upbeat parts. Because if the emotions are true, if you’re connected to it, there’s going to be people who feel that same way. So, I just let it out and try getting it to everybody to make sure that they have a feel of it.

F.A: Reflecting on your journey from The Voice Nigeria to now, how do you stay grounded, and what keeps you motivated to push your musical boundaries?

Chike: Every day in the music industry, people strive and fail. There’s no record of that because they didn’t become popular enough for you to know who they are. I’m saying this to address the stereotype that people attach to reality show contestant and their struggles. The difference with reality shows is that it’s in public, right? So, there’s a lot of attention brought to it. Every day there’s an artist putting out music trying to be successful, shooting videos, creating content, and by people’s metrics of not meeting up, they are failing. Music is a career path where the success rate is not even up to 0 .5%, not even 1%. People are always in a hurry to talk about how successful or how unsuccessful reality show contestants are. I hope I’ve answered that correctly.

F.A: With your growing success, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in the Nigerian music industry, and how have you overcome them?

Chike: I think most of the challenges I faced had to do with finding who’s willing to sacrifice their time to work with me because you know in music everybody has to be in it. That’s the challenge that I’ve faced. It’s more about the access to skilled people, people who share my vision to achieve my bottom line.

F.A: Looking ahead, what are your plans for the future? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations that fans should be excited about following the release of Son of Chike?

Chike: Yeah! Still making music, putting out music and more videos coming off of the project.