Chukwuka Ekweani (Ckay) is a Nigerian singer, songwriter, and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa. He was previously signed to Chocolate City, an ADA member of Warner Music Group’s independent label services. Chocolate City’s international smash single “Love Nwantiti” was released in 2019. The song debuted at number one with the introduction of the Billboard Afrobeats Chart on March 29, 2022. It became the first African song in history to receive one billion Spotify streams on May 9, 2022.
Early Life and Education
Chukwuka Ekweani was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, on July 16, 1995. He was born in Anambra State, Nigeria, of Igbo origin. His passion of music was inspired by his father, who was a choir conductor at their local church. As a child, he was moved by musical instruments, pushing him to study the piano from his father.
Ckay attended prominent primary and secondary schools in the country’s northern and southern regions. The identities of the colleges he attended, however, are unknown to the general public.
Career
His music career started when a friend introduced him to the production software Fruity Loops. Chukwuka started off his music career as a member of a band, made up of him and two other bandmates, before beginning his solo career as CKay.
After being identified, he relocated to Lagos in 2014. In early 2015, while signed to Loopy Music, he began working with Chocolate City. He officially joined the Chocolate City artist roster following the merging of Loopy Music in 2016. He is a musician that has released music in a range of genres such as Afrobeats, R&B, and Dancehall. On September 11, 2017, Chocolate City released his first extended play, Who the Fuck Is CKay? He released his second extended play CKay the First through Chocolate City on August 30, 2019, and his third extended play Boyfriend through Warner Music South Africa on February 11, 2021.
He released “Container” on March 2, 2018, an Afrobeat album influenced by the South African gwara gwara dancing form. The song became a breakthrough record for him, earning him a lot of airtime in Nigeria. Tempoe created it and released it through Chocolate City. On July 6, 2018, he released the music video, which was directed and shot in various locations in Lagos by the Myth.
“Love Nwantiti” became a major record in Nigeria in 2019, with the release of CKay the First. CKay released a remix named “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ah)” starring Joeboy and Kuami Eugene on February 14, 2020. It went viral on TikTok in 2021 and became an international smash, charting in Europe, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as reaching number 23 in the UK and giving him his maiden entry on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. In the Maghreb and Germany, a North African remix starring ElGrande Toto became popular.
A French remix included Franglish, a German remix included Frizzo, Joeboy, and Kuami Eugene, a Spanish version included De La Ghetto, an East African remix included Rayvanny, and a South African remix included Tshego and Gemini Major.
He appeared on the songs “La La” from Davido’s studio album A Better Time, which was released on November 13, 2020, by Davido Music Worldwide, RCA Records, and Sony Music, and “Beggie Beggie” from Ayra Starr’s debut studio album 19 & Dangerous, which was released on August 6, 2021, by Mavin Records. He won his first YouTube plaque on July 28, 2021, for attaining 100,000 subscribers. Ckay became the first African artist to reach 20 million Spotify listeners on October 8, 2021, with over 21 million monthly listeners on his Spotify page.
Personal Life
CKay is also known as “Your Boyfriend” because of one of his successful albums. He has fair skin and his hair is styled in dreadlocks. He is regarded as a lady’s guy, and his female fan base appears to be growing by the day.
He divides his time between Lagos and South Africa, where he owns luxury apartments in the city’s affluent neighborhoods. He also has a fleet of exotic cars that may be found in his garages.
Ckay’s dating status is not public information because he prefers to keep personal matters secret. However, it is rumored that he is in a relationship with a lovely young lady from Nigeria.
Ckay is well-known for his Afropop music, which combines Afrobeats, Dancehall, R&B, and electronic elements. At the 2022 Brit Awards, he was nominated for Best International Song.
Albums
- Who The F*ck is Ckay Mixtape (2017)
- Ckay The First (2019)
- Boyfriend (2021)
Songs/ Singles
- Givenchy
- Nightmare
- Ramen
- Workin
- Last Call
- The Recipe
- Dreams
- Ski Ski
- Way
- Winner
- Way Ft. DJ Lambo
- Oliver Khan Ft. BOJ
- Like To Party Ft. Blaqbonez
- Beeni Ft. Barry Jhay
- Davido – La La Ft Ckay
Awards and Nominations
| Year | Awards ceremony | Award description(s) | Nominations | Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | City People Music Award | Best New Act of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | City People Music Award | Best Collabo of the Year | Love Nwantiti “(with. Joeboy, & Kuami Eugene)” | Nominated |
| 2021 | All Africa Music Awards | Most Promising African Artist | Himself “Felony” | Nominated |
| 2021 | Mobo Awards | Best African Music Act | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | Brit Awards | Best International Song | “Love Nwantiti” | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Future Awards Africa | Prize for Music (Endowed by Infinix) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Headies | Best Collaboration | “Beggie Beggie” (with. Ayra Starr) | Pending |
Net Worth
CKay is one of Africa’s top artists, he has built a fortune in a short while from performing at shows and the royalties generated by his discography.
He is estimated to have a net worth of US$5 million.
