Nigerian RnB star Chike has unveiled his latest musical masterpiece, ‘Son of Chike’, marking his third studio album release since the resounding success of ‘Boo of the Booless’.
In a candid interview with Apple Music Africa Now Radio, Chike opened up about the inspiration behind his latest project, emphasizing his desire to authentically represent his Igbo heritage through music.
“I feel like it’s an album where I was putting out my culture, even down to the way I expressed myself. I know that with this album, you can tell who Chike is and where he is from. I know that my culture is more represented in the music in my third studio album,” he shared with host Nandi Madiba.
Known for his deliberate approach to collaborations, Chike enlisted the talents of industry heavyweights like Olamide, Ladipoe, and Qing Madi on ‘Son of Chike’. Reflecting on his choice of collaborators, Chike emphasized his commitment to prioritizing musical integrity over commercial metrics.
“With everything I do, I just try to remind myself that the music comes first. It’s not the numbers, because that temptation is there… Numbers look good and everybody wants to have them, but for me, in the end, no matter the decision I made—even if it’s for numbers, perception, or whatever it is for—I still ask myself, ‘Is it about the music? Does the music come first?'” he explained.
The album’s lead single, ‘Egwu’, featuring the late Mohbad, serves as a poignant tribute and a powerful introduction to ‘Son of Chike’. Reflecting on Mohbad’s passing, Chike spoke candidly about the impact it had on him and his renewed perspective on life.
“When things happen in your life and you realize we are not here forever, it reminds you that this can happen to anybody and you should make the best use of your time. I went ahead and did something I’d wanted to do. I spent all my savings; I did things for some people, where [before] I was thinking it wasn’t the right time to do it. I was just like, ‘You know what, I’m gonna do this now, right time or not—because the right time might never come,'” he shared.
Released on July 19, 2024, ‘Son of Chike’ is poised to elevate Chike’s musical journey to new heights, showcasing his evolution as an artist deeply rooted in his culture and committed to delivering impactful, soulful music to his fans worldwide.
