Nigerian music sensation CKay has opened up about the bold decision to drop out of university at just 100 level in order to chase his music dreams.
Speaking during a livestream on Twitch with streamer Caterefe, the Love Nwantiti hitmaker shared the sacrifices, and struggles, he faced for his career.
CKay revealed that his parents were not supportive of his musical ambitions. “My parents didn’t want me to do music, so I ran away from home in Kaduna when I was 19,” he said.
Upon arriving in Lagos, he sent a long letter to his mother via Blackberry explaining his plans. Initially staying with a friend, CKay eventually moved into a one-room apartment and began working as a producer across four different studios to sustain himself.
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Life in Lagos was far from easy, and he admitted that things were tough. He faced financial struggles, uncertainty, and the pressure of proving himself in a competitive industry.
Despite the challenges, he explained that leaving university was necessary to fully commit to music. “At some point, I had to drop out of university at just 100 level to focus on music,” he said.
CKay first gained attention in 2018 with his song Container. His 2019 release, Love Nwantiti, later became a global hit, breaking multiple African records and surpassing a billion streams on Spotify, solidifying his place in the international music scene.
Reflecting on his journey, CKay emphasized that following his passion required courage, independence, and a willingness to go against expectations, but it has ultimately paid off, turning him into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical exports.
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