Nigerian rapper and Zanku Records boss, Zlatan Ibile, has opened up about why he has no plans to invest financially in up-and-coming artistes, despite being one of the few industry stars known for supporting young talents.
Speaking during an appearance on the Adesope Live Show, the award-winning rapper explained that funding emerging artistes is a huge gamble, one he’s not willing to take. Zlatan noted that the music business is unpredictable, and there is no guarantee that an artiste you bankroll will eventually become successful.
According to him, he now prioritises securing his financial future rather than taking risks that may never yield returns.
“I would rather go buy a house than put money on these artistes that I’m not sure will be successful or not,” he said, stressing that music, for him, has always been about achieving financial stability.
Zlatan reflected on the early years of his career, revealing that he battled pressure and anxiety before finding his footing in the industry. The experience, he said, made him more intentional about how he spends and invests his money today.
However, he clarified that his refusal to invest financially doesn’t mean he’s unwilling to support rising acts in other ways. Zlatan said he remains open to collaborating with new artistes, adding that he benefited greatly from similar gestures when he was coming up.
The rapper’s comments have sparked conversations about the high cost and risks associated with artiste development in Nigeria’s music industry, where only a fraction of newcomers eventually break through.
