Chukwuka Ekweani, popularly known as CKay, has officially ended his three-year partnership with Warner Music South Africa, marking a pivotal shift in his career as one of Afrobeats’ global trailblazers.
The announcement, made on April 17, 2025, reflects a mutual and strategic decision, with the 29-year-old singer-songwriter expressing gratitude for the collaboration that propelled him to international stardom. CKay, whose 2019 hit Love Nwantiti amassed over 1 billion streams and charted in 50 countries, described the split as a necessary step to explore “new energy and new horizons” in his musical journey.
CKay’s tenure with Warner Music, beginning in 2021, saw the release of his debut album Sad Romance in 2022, which blended his signature Emo-Afrobeats with pop and R&B, earning 500 million streams globally. The partnership also produced hits like Hallelujah featuring Blaqbonez and Nwayi in 2023, both topping Nigeria’s TurnTable Top 100.
His 2021 performance of Love Nwantiti at Wizkid’s O2 Arena concert in London solidified his global appeal, with the song’s viral TikTok dance challenge driving 2 billion views. CKay’s departure follows a year of high-profile collaborations, including features with Olamide and Joeboy, and a 2023 campus tour across 10 Nigerian states, engaging 50,000 fans. Industry analysts note Warner Music’s 30% stake in Nigeria’s $44 million music market amplified CKay’s reach, but his exit signals a push for creative control, with 70% of his catalog now independently managed.
The Lagos-born artist, who pioneered the Emo-Afrobeats subgenre, hinted at forthcoming projects, including a potential EP blending Amapiano and Highlife, aimed at his 10 million monthly Spotify listeners. Nigeria’s music industry, projected to hit $50 million by 2025, continues to thrive, with CKay’s move underscoring Afrobeats’ growing independence. Fans eagerly await his next chapter, as his 2024 MOBO Award nomination and 8 million Instagram followers reflect a robust global fanbase ready for new anthems.