Against All Odds

Zlatan Ibile dreamed of football, wealth, and escaping Ikorodu, with no thought for music. Today, music is his key to global fame and fortune. From Ikorodu’s concrete, a flower blooms against all odds.

Written by Honour Aghedo

Jun 12, 2023

Zlatan Ibile’s ‘Omo Ologo’ and the Triumph of Perseverance. Zlatan Ibile / PULSE.NG

Music is a powerful tool of expression. From the joyful highs to the heart-wrenching lows, music has the power to capture the full range of human experience and provide a platform for artists to share their unique perspectives with the world. At the inception of his music career, Zlatan Ibile was an energetic, and gritty artist that shook the underground and mainstream audience.

I remember listening to Zlatan in 2018 as he shone on ‘Zanku (Legwork)’ and the show-stealing verses on Chinko Ekun’s ‘Able God’ and Burna Boy’s ‘Killing Dem’. Zlatan was brimming with a glow, a diamond in the rough. His energetic approach to the records, infused with witty lyrics and distinctive adlibs, ‘Kapaichumarichupaco’, ‘Astalavi, give dem!’ and ‘Ayiiii’ made him memorable. I took a dive into his life and got a better perspective, listening to his 2020 Afro-Intelligence podcast interview with Joey Akan.

ZLATAN: THE GENESIS

Zlatan (born Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael in 1994) grew up with 4 siblings, a pastor dad and an entrepreneur mother, in Agbede, Ikorodu. As a child, he played football, and due to his skills and the name that was usually on the back of his jersey, he earned the nickname Zlatan. Realizing how much wealth footballers amassed, Zlatan’s heart was set on becoming a footballer and wealthy like his idol, Zlatan Ibrahimović, the Swedish footballer. After failing West African Examination Council and having to wait two years later to pass National Examination Council, the dream was starting to wane.

Zlatan’s journey to music began when his friend, Femi Bruki, played him his new song, right there, everything changed. Zlatan and Femi were part of the church’s choir group; Femi sang, while Zlatan played the drum. In his interview with Joey Akan, Zlatan recalls being inspired by Femi’s decision to make music, telling him that ‘if you can do music, then I can do it too.’ He told his friend to invite him to his studio when next he goes to record.

The first time Zlatan accompanied Femi to the studio (somewhere in the Ketu area of Lagos) to record, he recalled that he was nervous and his fast breath could be heard on the mic. He took a 30-minute break to relax before going back to the studio, after which he recorded eight bars. Zlatan didn’t think much of it; he thought it was all fun till his younger brother took the song to school and played it there.

Zlatan turned into a neighbourhood sensation and people kept clamouring for his next single. With no means to pay for studio sessions, Zlatan sold his Nokia Phone for N3,000 to record his next single. The neighbourhood fuelled him with praises, however, Zlatan struggled to get by. He had to sneak out of the house to perform at a nightclub and return home before 6 a.m. to join the family for praise and worship, relying on his neighbour and siblings to help with the door so he wouldn’t get caught.

In 2014, he gained admission to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Ogun State and almost deferred admission as his family were unable to raise his fees till the final week. He had to live with his friend while being untruthful to the landlord that he was searching for his place to gain accommodation.

While in the polytechnic, Zlatan’s friend signed him up for the ‘Airtel One Mic’ talent show in 2014 which he won and was awarded a Picanto car as part of his reward. He turned his prized car to a taxi so he could raise money to buy fuel and eat. After acquiring his Ordinary National Diploma, Zlatan decided to leave the polytechnic and explore his passion for music. He found some initial struggles in the industry but everything changed in 2017, when Olamide followed him on Instagram, which led to the creation of their hit song ‘My Body’. This track brought a lot of mainstream success for him and marked a major turning point in his career and he has since continued to achieve greater success in the music industry.

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Against All Odds

ZLATAN: THE GENESIS

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