Naeto C, born Naetochukwu Chikwe, is a Nigerian rapper, Afrobeat artist, and record producer. He has received numerous awards from the Headies and MTV Music Africa. While attending school in Nigeria and abroad, he developed an interest in music and poetry. He has, however, stepped away from the music scene to focus on his business and family life.
Early Life and Education
Naeto C was born in the United States of America on December 17th, 1982 in Houston, Texas. He is originally from Imo State in Nigeria’s southeastern region. Naeto C. finished primary and secondary school in Lagos State, Nigeria, where he earned his First School Leaving Certificate and West African Senior School Certificate.
After finishing secondary school at Atlantic Hall Secondary School in Poka-Epe, Lagos, Nigeria, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education at SUNY Old Westbury and, a year later, George Washington University, where he graduated with a BSc in biology. He, on the other hand, intended to continue his studies in order to become a medical doctor. After some deep thought, he decided to pursue his dream and develop his talent as a musician.
Naeto earned an MSc in Energy Studies from the University of Dundee in Scotland in 2010. His mother revealed in 2013 that he was studying Energy Economics at the University of Oxford in England. Naeto C received a Master of Science in Energy Economics from the University of Dundee in Scotland on November 17, 2020.
Career
Naeto C began his musical career while still in high school. At the time, he met Uzikwendu and Ikechukwu, two aspiring hip-hop artists in Washington Heights, New York. The trio went on to found the World Famous Akademy, a musical brotherhood. They intended to expand into an independent record label but were unable to secure the necessary funds.
Because Naeto had chosen to pursue a musical career, he and the rest of the World Famous Akademy agreed to be signed by Storm Records, a record label based in Lagos, Nigeria. They did not return to Nigeria, however, until Ikechukwu’s debut album, Son Of The Soil, was released in the first quarter of 2006.
That record laid the groundwork for Naeto C and the WFA. While serving as an in-house producer for the company with his production team “ET-Quake” (composed of TY Mix and VC Perez), Naeto was able to showcase his production abilities while working with Storm artists such as Sasha, Dare Art-Alade, GT the Guitarman, Disconnect, Saro-Wiwa, and Nkiru. After a year of working with the aforementioned musicians, Naeto had recorded over 60 tracks, including the songs for his second album (the majority of which he co-produced with ET-Quake).
The song “I Believe,” which Naeto wrote and co-produced with VC Perez (an ET-Quake member), features South African Hugh Masekela, Sheun, and upcoming R&B/Gospel musicians. To prepare for the incredible MTN Homecoming Concert, which featured a well-known friend, Nigerian pop sensation D’banj, Naeto gained a ton of performance experience in the same year, including appearances at Ikechukwu’s album launch, the Channel O awards, the I Believe Tour, the Always promo tour with Sasha, and many other gigs.
For his debut album, “Naeto C,” he created more than 50 songs that went beyond the hip-hop aesthetic of the time. From the Fela-inspired “Lagos City Hustla,” the most articulate reflection of Hip-Hop/Afro-beat to date, to the first single “Sitting on Top,” Naeto C has defied all expectations and surpassed more limits than any other up-and-coming artist, both lyrically and musically, in the opinion of MO HIT RECORD. His debut album, You Know My “P,” was released in May 2008.
Emeka Ihedioha, Governor of Imo State, has appointed Naeto C as his Special Assistant on Lagos Liaison.
Personal Life
Nicole Chikwe is married to Naeto C, and they are parents to three kids together. His wife stated in a 2019 interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that despite living a celebrity lifestyle, her husband is still a wonderful husband, and that has helped to keep the marriage and family together.
Naeto C Parents
Kema Chikwe, Naetochukwu’s mother, is a politician. She has served as transportation minister, aviation minister, and chairman of the Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board (JAMB), among other positions. She also founded the Women in Leadership Institute, which aims to give women in Nigeria and throughout Africa a fresh perspective.
Nze Herbert Chikwe is his father’s name. He is the sole proprietor of Somachi Investment.
Discography
Albums
- 2008: U Know My “P”
- 2011: Super C Season
- 2015: Day 1
- 2015: Festival
Selected Singles
- Kill’N Me Softly (feat. Sarkodie)
- Remember (feat. Praiz)
- Soft (feat. Burna Boy and Phyno)
- Chine (feat. Phyno and Sleek)
- Helele
- What You Want (feat. Bo-J and Ajebutter22)
- Complete (feat. Omawunmi)
- Kere (feat. Olamide)
- Mercy Ati Dé Blown (feat. Maka)
- Day 1 Oluwaloseyi (feat. Wizkid)
- Soft Tony Monata (feat. D’Banj)
- I Gentle
- B4 Nko
- 10 Over 10.
Awards and Nominations
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2008 – Best New Musician
- 2009 Channel O Music Video Awards – Video of the Year
- MTV Africa Music Awards 2009–Best New Artist
- 2012 The Headies – Artiste of the Year Nomination
- 2012 The Headies – Album of the Year (Super C Season) Nomination
Net Worth
Naeto C comes from a political and business-inclined family. He is estimated to be worth $8 million.
