Nigerian singer Ric Hassani has opened up about his bold decision to leave a secure banking job to chase his passion for music, a move that changed the course of his life.
Speaking during an appearance on the CreativiTea podcast, Hassani reflected on his early struggles in the Nigerian music industry, revealing that his sound was initially rejected for being too different from what was considered commercially viable.
“When I first came to Lagos, nobody wanted to sign me because I came with a different type of sound,” he shared.
Despite the setbacks, Hassani’s turning point came in the most unexpected way, through a wedding proposal video shared on a popular wedding blog. In the background of the video was one of his songs, and to his surprise, the track became the main attraction.
“Normally, when they post a proposal video, the comments are always about the couple,” he explained. “But this time, everybody was like, ‘What song is that?’”
The unexpected buzz led to Hassani being booked for a performance. The payment he received for the gig turned out to be more than his monthly salary at the bank, which sealed his decision to pursue music full-time.
“So they called me for a show, and this was more than my salary. So I left Access Bank. I said, I’m not doing it again,” he revealed.
Since taking the leap, Ric Hassani has become one of Nigeria’s most respected vocalists, known for his soulful voice and heartfelt lyrics. His breakout single ‘Gentleman’ earned him critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, including three nods at the 2016 All Africa Music Awards and two nominations at the Headies, including Best Alternative Song.
From being overlooked to becoming a household name, Hassani’s story is a testament to staying true to one’s sound and trusting the journey.
