Unfazed, tough as it comes, and lyrically smooth, Zlatan Ibile remains one of the most durable artists from Nigeria. For a decade now, he’s been sharpening his singing and rapping skills to become one of the most reliable artists in his class. Zlatan’s star power is self-evident “ known by all and loved by many, yet still comparatively underrated for the calibre of artist that he is. Known for his electric performances, decibel-loaded ad-libs, and overflowing charisma, Zlatan illustrates his gift of wiring melodic fundamentals on songs. Zlatan’s energy is the X factor that he brings to every record, and it’s no wonder he’s in high demand when a guest verse is needed to take an Afropop record to the next level. Two things about Zlatan: you can’t keep him in a box and he will always hold his own on a song. He is a cultural phenomenon, whose viral dancing skills add to his palette of talents.
It’s one thing if you are a rapper and another if you can sing, but to also create memeable dance routines to accompany hit songs? That sets you apart as an artist. In Zlatan’s case, it’s what gave him the extra edge over his peers. His single “Zanku,” released in 2019, came with a dance of the same name – the move also came to be known as “legwork.” While “Zanku” shot him to fame, it did not start from there. Zlatan has been putting in the work since 2014, when he won the Airtel-sponsored talent show, The One Mic. In the years since, he has become a force to be reckoned with, everyone from Olamide to Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy and Davido have wanted a verse. When he has to, Zlatan can unleash a lyrical onslaught and can equally sing buoyant melodies over some of the most relentless Afrobeats you’ve ever heard.
It’s no surprise that his music has been a staple of the Nigerian music scene. With universally loved anthems like “Killin’ Dem” with Burna Boy eternally stamped in the Afrobeats Hall of Fame, and more recent offerings like “10 Bottles” and “Bust Down” featuring Asake scoring him continued relevance in the game. As he continues to churn out hit after hit, energy-laden songs with memorable ad libs and even more memorable dance moves, Zlatan understands that in this industry he cannot compromise on consistency.
You’ve been one of the most consistent artists in Afrobeats. Surviving multiple eras, which is not an easy feat to achieve, especially as a rap artist. What would you say is the secret to that consistency?
Yeah, it has been a rollercoaster because since I had my breakthrough song in 2017, I have always had that settlement in my mind that new guys will come just like I did so I just embrace the idea of it and work with them. Consistency, hard work, and staying modern, I think that is just the lifestyle for us. On a music level and in personal life, you always want to catch up with upgrades, to make things better and easy for yourself. As an artist, I understand the concept of evolving and exploring. If I realise there is a new trend or sound in the industry, I don’t allow myself to be left out, be it a new producer, or even a new app, to new sounds. I do want to know what’s happening but most especially it’s been God.
You’re known for bringing the energy 110% on any song you’re featured on. What’s the philosophy behind your signature delivery?
From “Killin’ Dem” to “Able God,” “Cash App” to “Elon Musk”… I just feel like when I’m doing my song, I’m on my vibe, my world. I don’t know what kind of spirit comes into me, but I look up to myself a lot when I have to be in the mode of making music. Maybe, that is what sets me apart. To me, I just see it the same way I record. No length, it just comes naturally to me and flows. When people listen I’m surprised myself, sometimes I record the song and I’m not even sure how the lines are until they are out. I think it’s in me anytime I see the mic the beast in me comes out.
One of your well-known signatures is your adlibs, what makes yours so fun and different?
Sometimes when I’m doing my adlibs it sounds like I’m crying. I know you must have come across some videos of me doing my adlibs. It’s just for fun, enjoying yourself while doing what you love to do best, which is the music. Fun turned to style and surprisingly people ended up loving it, one of my memeable moments.
You had one of the first hit songs in Nigeria in 2024 so far with “Bust Down,” featuring Asake. It’s currently my favourite song. From scratch, can you tell us how the song came about?
Asake is my friend and my brother, we’ve had songs in the past. I just got back from London that night and he was like we should link up, he told me a day before that we needed to record as soon as I landed from London. He did link up with the producer Blaze the previous day and made him aware that he would be recording with Zlatan, prompting him to create a beat that bounced off our energies as artists. He had already created the entire chorus, I got in there and did my verse and that was it. It’s something we do and something we make money from, something that saved us from the kind of life that wasn’t pleasant for us then. We are used to this, this is what makes us money and a living. We locked in and recorded the song, got it mixed, and served it out there. We already knew it was a street banger. Two guys that represent what the streets say.
I saw a visualizer for the song, are we getting the actual video soon?
Yeah, there is an official video coming out for sure.
What next for Zlatan as a rapper?
I will keep rapping. Rap saved my life, rap changed my life. I’m never leaving rap behind, this is what I do so watch out for more rap songs from Zlatan. Good times ahead.
