Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee started like every other upcoming act in Nigeria – the hard way, hustling for success.
![]() | The Okpekete master & Limpopo king, Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo aka Kcee schooled at Tolu primary school, Ajegunle then went on to Central High school, Isolo before proceeding to UNN (University Of Nsukka). Kcee’s father was a DJ and he also sells CD’s, Kcee assist his father with his music business back in the days, He listens to music a lot, this was what helped him build his music knowledge. |
In the beginning his father never support him but wanted him to go to school. He said “my father tied my legs, my hands and then he flogged me, he was like “you’re not my child any more, why would you go for a show at night”.
“The first time I came back home with money when I performed somewhere, Julius Agwu introduced me to some guys then, they were raising awareness for HIV so me and my partner did performed and I was paid N20, 000. I went home and tendered the money to my parents, they were impressed. It was at that point my father started supporting me. Now my dad prays for me when I’m recording or shooting a video; whatever I’m doing he prays first.”
In the early 2000s, he met with former partner Presh (Precious John) in a church choir. They met up with a third member, named the group KC Presh and released their first single ‘Ose baba’, shot a video for it, receiving mild success. Parting ways with the third member in 2002, the duo entered the first ever edition of Nigerian Breweries STAR QUEST talent show and won, beating the likes of Asa, Psquare, Klint da Drunk, Mr Raw (formerly known as Nigga Raw).
As they struggle to super status, they set up shop and create their own label, KP Records. But still, all their efforts came to nothing as the duo’s careers’ imploded.
In the words of Kcee: ‘It got to a point that I wanted to leave the industry. I went into furniture business, I started importing furniture into the country. But I was not deriving the kind of satisfaction that I wanted. I had to put aside every business and said to myself that if I try this time and it doesn’t work I will leave’
![]() | They decided to go their separate ways and try out their solo music careers. Kcee started recording singles, changing his music style and embracing the much more groovy music pattern. It didn’t pay off instantly, but it paid off eventually. He puts it this way:’ Limpopo became an instant hit in its first two weeks of release. In less than one month, I was receiving calls from different part of the world and in two months, it was something else. It is the anointing and the power of God that I have been enjoying since I released the song’ |
December 26, 2013, Kcee won the Headies awards for the best song of the year with his hit song, Limpopo.
He almost clinched the 2013 Channel O Awards held in S/Africa but, with the present of Mafikizolo with his hit song, Khnona, it was stolen away from him.
’If I had given up before now I wouldn’t be talking about all these. I just believe that there was something in me that I need to express,’ He recalls. Kcee always call his music style “sweet music.” His new ground breaking songs “pull over” feat. Wizkid, “okoso” & “Limpopo” which video was shot in Spain are all in the airways, since he vows on feeding us with “sweet music” His music career was limping and on a survival mode, but his resilience and hard work made him sought after. Here is a piece of advice from Kcee” I think it’s better to carve out your own style, look yourself in the mirror and be sure of what you’re wearing. I think when you look at yourself in the mirror you tell yourself the truth and if you see that you’re not getting it right, adjust it gradually until you realize that you have your own style.” | ![]() |
I will read your success story, Amen!
Happy Sunday!!
Culled out from Kehinde Ajose / Wikipedia
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