‘Why I Refused To Sign Flavour On My Record Label’ – Kcee

Nigerian singer, Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has revealed why he once turned down the opportunity to sign fellow musician, Flavour, on his record label.

Speaking in a recent interview with a Lagos-based radio station, Kcee said he did not see potential in Flavour at the time.

He explained that talent manager, Soso Soberekon, had brought Flavour to him years ago for a possible record deal, but he declined, noting that he was already established in the industry and did not believe Flavour was ready.

He added, “I came into the music industry before Flavour. Soso Soberekon brought him to me years ago to sign to my record label. I was already driving exotic cars and balling before he came to Lagos.

“I told Soso I can’t sign Flavour because I didn’t see potential in him at that time. It wasn’t because I have something against him. I don’t think that was why he is holding a grudge against me. But time shall tell. A lot of my colleagues underrate my talent, and my humility also contributed to that. Because I don’t brag. I don’t need it. But as I always say, time will always prove them wrong.

“My work always proves every doubter wrong. Some of those who doubted me in the past have come to apologise to me and admitted that they were wrong about me,” Kcee said.

The revelation shed light on the long-rumoured rift between the two artists, which first came to public attention in 2024 when Flavour publicly criticised an artist for allegedly copying his musical style.

Although Flavour did not mention anyone directly, Kcee responded, warning him against gatekeeping Igbo cultural music and reminding him that he had been in the industry before Flavour.

“Till now, I don’t understand the reason for his beef with me, especially that incident where he alleged that someone was copying him. The truth is that when some people had written you off, hoping that you would be stagnant, and you work hard and get to a level they don’t expect you to reach, that was what happened,” Kcee said.