@WarnerMusicAfrica
5 MAY 2023 JOHANNESBURG: Emo-Afrobeats singer-songwriter CKay returns with a summer banger ‘HALLELUJAH’ featuring fellow Nigerian, rapper Blaqbonez.
Produced by Magic Sticks (Oxlade, Davido, Asake), ‘HALLELUJAH’ is CKay’s first single since the Sad Romance Remix packag he released on March 30th this year and marks the first of three new singles which culminate the launch of Sad Romance Deluxe (June 16). The offering includes an Amapiano remix of ‘by now’, produced by OG Sterling x Arieenati of the Nigerian producer collective ON SOME FLY SHIT!, who is behind some of the music from superstars Davido and DaBaby. Also on the pack is a re-imagination of ‘Emiliana’ by DJ Yo! and AX’EL who both remixed his popular ‘love nwantiti’ in 2021.
‘HALLELUJAH’ is a different feel from the emotional bargaining CKay did in Sad Romance and the superstar is less willing to negotiate the high he now finds himself in. The release of ‘HALLELUJAH’ connects a young CKay in his childhood church in Kaduna, Nigeria, with the superstar, with a dream realized – becoming one of the biggest names in Afrobeats. From the onset, the song is exuberant with CKay showcasing an acute level of self-awareness. It strikes a balance between confidence and inner sensitivity.
CKay opens with: I just wanna make love and money / Walahi suffer suffer life is not for me /
And later sings, Nobody pass the almighty / Nobody fit follow me fight
Blaqbonez matches his energy impeccably as he equally flexes in his verse, letting anyone who is betting against him know they would do well to be on the winning team. The first track, ‘HALLELUJAH’ sets the pace and the energy for the upcoming Sad Romance Deluxe which will, if this single is anything to go by, reveal a more musically dexterous CKay.
The year 2023 started on a few high notes for CKay including surpassing 6 billion career streams; being the most booked African act in 2022 with over 80 shows in 24 countries; and performing at the FIFA World Cup ceremony. In March, the star performed at the Vh1 Supersonic 2023 festival in Pune, India, and is currently headlining his first university tour in Nigeria aptly titled ‘Boyfriend On Tour’. In summer 2023, CKay will be on stage throughout, performing at AfroNation in Miami, Lollapalooza in Paris, HIPHOP OPEN festival in Stuttgart, and the Weekend Festival in Finland.
ABOUT CKAY
Chukwuka Ekweani, known publicly as CKay, is the rising star in the ever-burgeoning Afrobeats scene. A multi-talented artist, whether behind the boards as a producer or in front of the mic performing his self-penned songs, it is CKay’s single-minded vision that shines through. The self-defined Emo-Afrobeat star has and continues to soar up charts across the globe thanks to his first globally recognized single ‘love nwantiti’.
The Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer originally released ‘love Nwantiti (ah ah ah)’ back in 2019 as part of his debut EP, CKay The First. In 2021, CKay became the most streamed artist of the year and became the first African artist with two tracks on the Global Spotify Top 30 simultaneously. ‘love nwantiti’ has been certified platinum/multi-platinum in five countries, including the United States, India and Italy. The viral hit has also been certified gold in the UK, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. CKay became the first African artist in 50 years to hold a top 5 position on the UK Singles Chart for 4 straight weeks with ‘love nwantiti’.
CKay has continued to create a global presence with accomplishments such as the “most Shazam-ed song in the world”. His most recent globally recognized single, ‘Emiliana’, has followed suit and racked in global chart positions and currently has just under 100 million streams. ‘Emiliana’ peaked at #1 on the UK Afrobeats Chart, #2 on Shazam Top 200 (Afrobeats), and #1 in six countries on Apple Music.