Rapper says investing in new artistes comes with heavy risks
Popular Nigerian rapper, Zlatan Ibile, has explained why he is no longer willing to invest in upcoming artistes, saying the process is “too draining, too risky, and often unrewarding” despite the time and resources that established musicians commit.
Speaking during an Instagram live session, the Zanku Records boss said many young artistes lack the discipline, loyalty, and long-term commitment required to justify the huge financial and emotional investment put into developing them.
According to him, nurturing emerging talents goes far beyond recording songs, as it requires funding their lifestyle, promotions, welfare, and personal development — all of which can become overwhelming.
Says upcoming artistes often abandon labels after becoming famous
Zlatan revealed that one of the major reasons he has stepped back from signing or investing in new artistes is the increasing trend of artistes abandoning record labels as soon as they attain a certain level of fame.
He noted that many young acts fail to appreciate the role of mentorship and support they receive, leading to conflicts once money and popularity start rolling in.
The rapper recalled several industry cases where artistes walked away from their labels after being heavily promoted, describing the behaviour as “heartbreaking and discouraging” for investors.
‘They want success overnight’
The musician added that many up-and-coming artistes approach the music industry with unrealistic expectations, seeking overnight success without understanding the extensive work, discipline, and patience required.
He said young artistes often resist guidance, make poor financial decisions, or allow external influences to derail their growth. This, he stated, creates friction between them and the record label trying to help them succeed.
Zlatan further emphasised that while he is always open to supporting rising stars with advice and collaborations, committing financially to groom them is not something he is willing to do anymore.
‘I will help, but I won’t carry anyone on my head’
The rapper clarified that he is still passionate about seeing talented young Nigerians break into the industry. However, he said his support will now come in the form of mentorship, encouragement, or occasional assistance — not full investment.
According to him, the pressure of managing personalities, dealing with entitlement, and risking financial loss has made many established artistes, not just him, withdraw from signing new acts.
Zlatan maintained that any artiste wishing to succeed must show seriousness, willingness to learn, and gratitude for the opportunities they get.
Industry reacts to Zlatan’s comments
His remarks have sparked widespread debate on social media, with many music lovers agreeing that established artistes face too many challenges when trying to lift newcomers.
Some fans argued that the industry needs a more structured system to protect investors and ensure that record labels are not exploited. Others insisted that young artistes also deserve fair contracts and humane treatment from labels.
Regardless, Zlatan’s stance has added to the ongoing conversation about how best to support emerging talents without exposing mentors and investors to avoidable risks.
