“My First Song Was Trash, But My Siblings Made Me Feel Like Jay-Z” – Zlatan Ibile Reveals Humble Beginning

Nigerian rapper and singer Zlatan Ibile has shared an inspiring story about how his music journey began unexpectedly after failing to gain admission into the university.

According to reports from Ireporter Online, Zlatan revealed during an interview with Nandi Madida on Apple Music 1 that his poor performance in Mathematics and Accounting prevented him from pursuing higher education, a setback that eventually led him into music.

The artiste, known for his energetic style and street anthems, explained that his newly released album, “Symbol of Hope,” was inspired by his personal struggles and transformation. He said the project aims to encourage others from humble beginnings to keep striving despite life’s challenges.

“I used to listen to a lot of artistes before I even thought about becoming one. Many of them inspired me because they rose from nothing to something. Now that I’m in their shoes, I receive messages from fans saying my songs keep them going. That’s why I named my album ‘Symbol of Hope’—to remind people that if I can make it, they can too,” he said.

Recalling his early days, Zlatan narrated how he began frequenting the studio after failing his exams. “My dad is a pastor, and I used to play drums in church. I never imagined being an artiste. When I failed my exam, a friend took me to the studio. The first song I recorded was rubbish, but when my siblings heard it, they hyped me up like I was Jay-Z,” he recounted with a laugh.

Encouraged by his family and friends, Zlatan continued to make music. His big break came during his first semester in university when he won a rap competition out of 140 contestants—an achievement that marked a turning point in his career.

“I couldn’t believe someone could win a car through music. I was only 19 and had just started school. That victory made me take rap seriously. From then on, I wrote songs every day and night—it changed everything,” he added.

Zlatan also spoke about the creation of his globally acclaimed dance move, Zanku (an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us). “That’s Africa to the world. The best part is that I tied my name to it. You can’t mention Zanku without mentioning Zlatan. Growing up, I always wanted my own dance, and when it happened, it went viral,” he said proudly.