Zlatan Ibile is a fast-rising Nigerian hip hop singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is popularly known as Zlatan. His real name is Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, he was born on the 19th of December 1994.
The history of Zlatan’s music journey can be traced to 2014 when Zlatan won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Assisted by Olamide, he also released a song titled ‘My body’.
At the end of 2018, Zlatan released yet another single titled Zanku’, and a new dance step with the same name. Zanku is an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us. There is much more to know about Zlatan. Read on to know about Zlatan’s journey, net worth, Career, and lots more.
Zlatan Ibile- Biography
Zlatan’s real name is Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael. Zlatan is a hip hop artist, rapper, singer, songwriter, and recording artist. He was born and raised in Ilorin but hails from Ekiti State. Zlatan attended the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and in 2011, graduated with a national diploma in business administration. Zlatan decided to pursue a career in music after his secondary school education.
In 2014 (at the age of 19), Zlatan won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. Zlatan began gaining more recognition in the Nigerian music industry in 2017 after releasing ‘My body’ where Olamide assisted him. Zlatan has proven himself to be a gifted, skillful, creative, and talented artist. He has grown to be a household name in Nigeria’s entertainment industry.
Inventing Zanku Dance Step
Zlatan is credited with the invention of the very popular dance step, “Zanku- leg work” dance step. At the end of 2018, Zlatan released a single titled “Zanku” which is an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us.
Music Career
Zlatan launched his musical career shortly after graduating from secondary school in 2011. In 2014, he won Airtel’s “One Mic Campus Tour” music competition which was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
He became popular in the Nigerian music scene when he released a single titled “My Body” featuring Olamide. The song became popular after a video of Davido dancing to the song went viral on the internet. Zlatan has made some remarkable collaborations with other A list Nigerian artistes. In 2018, Zlatan gained further exposure when he was featured on “Able God” a hit song by Chinko Ekun which also featured Nigerian rapper Li Kesh. Not long after, he dropped a new song titled “Zanku” which was accompanied by a crazy new dance move popularly known as Leg Work.
At the end of 2018, Zlatan released yet another hit song titled “Osanle” in which he featured Davido. In 2019, he released another single titled “Glory”
Zlatan was featured on Burna boy’s hit single, “Killing dem”. Zlatan is credited with coming up with the very popular Zanku dance.
Nominations and Awards
Zlatan has suffered some losses in terms of awards. In October 2019, he was nominated for Next Rated at the Headies Award but lost the award to Rema.
He was nominated twice at the Headies Award but ended up not winning any of these awards. Many of his fans were angered and blamed the Headies for manipulating the award. Despite the losses, Zlatan has become very influential in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Zlatan signed an endorsement deal with Coca-cola on the 26th of July, 2019.
Zlatan- Controversies
Zlatan has been involved in a number of controversies such as that of a 9-years-old boy named Segun Wire in 2017. The young boy surfaced on Instagram in a video where he revealed his desire to become an internet fraudster. The video evoked different reactions from the general public although it was later discovered that the boy was only playing pranks.
Zlatan Ibile decided to do something about the boy. He created an Instagram account for the boy and started promoting him as a comedian. Zlatan later decided to send the boy to a private school and pay for his general upkeep. These actions of his later turned sour.
In 2018, Zlatan Ibile was accused of using the 9-years-old boy as a means of extortion. It was also reported that some thugs related to the family of the young boy attacked and assaulted Zlatan Ibile. Zlatan cut ties with the boy and released a song with Harrysong to explain what happened to his fans. The incident did not affect his growing career negatively.
Another controversy sparked during the 2019 BB naija reality TV show when Zlatan released a diss track to make fun of Tacha. This was after Tacha had been accused of having body odour by her fellow housemate, Mercy. Many of Tacha’s fans as well as other celebrities condemned the act and described it as wrong especially because of the effect(s) it could have on Tacha’s mental health. Zlatan downplayed the incident by saying he was just having fun.
Arrest and release
In May 2019, the EFCC arrested Zlatan and a few others including Naira Marley, and accused them of internet fraud and money laundering. A few days later, Zlatan was released on administrative bail
Zlatan- Net worth
Zlatan Ibile’s net worth is estimated at $1.5 million. Zlatan gets his money from his songs that have been a hit in the music industry and from numerous show bookings which fetch him a lot of money.
Awards and Nominations
City People Music Awards- Rookie of the year
City People Music Award- Next Rated
City People Music Award- Best Street Hop Artiste
The Headies- Best Collaboration- With Burna Boy for ‘Killin Dem’ (Won)
The Headies- Song of the Year- ‘Leg work’
The Headies- Song of the Year- Leg work
African Muzik Magazine Awards- Best New Act
African Muzik Magazine Awards- Best Collaboration- With Burna Boy for ‘Killin Dem’ (Won)
African Muzik Magazine Awards- Song of the Year- Killing Dem
Singles released by Zlatan
Odun (featuring Spaceboi)
Omoge
My Body featuring Olamide
Jogor featuring Lil Kesh and Naira Marley
Zanku (Legwork)
Oja
Osanle (featuring Davido)
This year
4 days in Ekohtiebo
Featured
Killin Dem (featuring Burna boy)
Shotan (featuring Tiwa Savage)
Bolanle (With IVD)
Gbeku (featuring Burna boy)
Yeye Boyfriend
Quilox
Unripe Pawpaw (featuring Papisnoop, Jamo Pyper and Oberz)
Road to CDK