Afrobeat superstar, Chukwuka Chukwuma Ekweani also referred to as CKay has launched his own management and publishing powerhouse known as Boyfriend Music.
The “Love Nwantiti” hitmaker is flipping the script on the music industry after a milestone three-year run with Warner Music Group as he steps into a bold new chapter.
CKay’s departure from Warner Music South Africa isn’t just a career move—it’s a statement. After becoming a global sensation with the genre-bending “Love Nwantiti” (which has gone 8x Platinum in the U.S., the most by any African artist in RIAA history), CKay is now channeling his success into something bigger: ownership, autonomy, and advocacy.
In August 2024, CKay and childhood friend Joseph Salubi co-founded Boyfrnd Music—a Lagos and U.S.-based company designed to flip the industry’s traditional hierarchy on its head.
“Every true artist deserves a team that supports their vision without taking advantage of them,” CKay said. “This is about creating a transparent, supportive ecosystem where creatives can just be creatives.”
Building a Creative Safe Haven
Boyfrnd Music isn’t just about managing CKay’s own future. It’s a full-fledged artist-first collective, offering A&R, publishing, and management services with a laser focus on nurturing untapped talent. Its dual-base in Lagos and the U.S. signals a global vision—with Africa as the creative engine.
The goal? To give artists and producers what CKay didn’t always have: a trustworthy, empowering structure that values creative integrity as much as commercial success.
Redefining Afrobeats Independence
CKay’s next moves reflect a growing trend across the global music scene—one where artists are taking back control. As streaming breaks barriers and African music continues its global rise, the need for ownership and fair structures has never been more pressing.
By launching Boyfrnd Music, CKay joins the ranks of visionary artists shaping their own empires—one beat, one business decision at a time.
What’s Next for CKay?
With a new home base under his own roof, CKay is poised to drop fresh sounds and possibly sign the next wave of global Afrobeats stars. His story—from viral lover boy to music mogul-in-the-making—is already rewriting what success looks like for African artists on the world stage.
CKay isn’t just making music—he’s building a movement.
