By Huldah Shado
Nigerian rapper Omoniyi Temidayo, popularly known as Zlatan, has revealed that his journey into music began after he failed a mathematics exam that cost him university admission.
Speaking on Apple Music 1 with Nandi Madida, the “Zanku” crooner said his latest album, Symbol of Hope, mirrors his struggles and aims to inspire others from humble beginnings.
“I used to listen to music before I ever thought I’d make it. Now that my songs inspire people not to give up, I see myself as a symbol of hope,” he said.
Zlatan explained that after failing his exams in 2011, he began visiting a studio with a friend.
“The first song I recorded was terrible, but my siblings made me feel like Jay-Z,” he recalled.
His breakthrough came in university when he won a rap competition out of 140 contestants. “That was when I started taking music seriously,” he said.
Zlatan also spoke about creating the viral “Zanku” dance, short for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us, saying it fulfilled his dream of owning a signature move that took Africa to the world.
