Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, better known as Kcee,[a] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. He was formerly in the Hip Hop duo group called Kc Presh.[1] He is from Amaputu in Uli in Ihiala local government area in Anambra State Nigeria. He currently has a record deal with Five Star Music. He worked with Del B, a record producer known for producing Kcee's popular song "Limpopo".[2] He is the elder brother to E-money.
Early life and music career
Kcee, a talented musician, has his roots in Uli, Anambra State, despite being born and raised in Lagos. He was born on April 18, 1979 [3] and grew up in Ajegunle, a vibrant neighborhood known for fostering emerging artists. Growing up, Kcee was immersed in diverse musical styles, including reggae, highlife, and Afrobeat. His passion for music was evident from an early age, paving the way for a career in entertainment.[4]
Kcee's musical journey began in 1999 when he teamed up with Precious John, aka Presh, to form the dynamic duo KC Presh, marking the start of his successful trajectory in the music industry.[5]
Kcee and his longtime partner and friend Presh played as a duo for 12 years. They met in a church choir. The pair gained national recognition after winning the Star Quest talent show in 2002, a competition that showcased their talent to a broader audience. Following their win, KC Presh enjoyed some success in the Nigerian music scene, releasing a couple of albums and gaining a moderate following.[4] Their work together as music partners gave them both a few recognition until 2011 when they split, both chasing their own careers quite separately.
Following his split from Presh, Kcee launched his solo career, paving the way for his success. His breakthrough moment arrived in 2013 with his hit single "Limpopo." The song was popular, taking over Nigerian airwaves and club playlists.[5] “Limpopo” was a party anthem, and it quickly elevated Kcee to Stardom. The song’s success earned him several awards and nominations.
After The success of “Limpopo,” he released other popular singles such as “Pullover” featuring Wizkid and “Fine Face.” Both songs further secured his place in the Nigerian Afrobeats scene, with “Pullover” becoming another club banger.
Kcee released "Sweet Mary J" [6] which was his first single in 2020. In June 2023, he released a new hit single, "Ojapiano" which seamlessly blends the traditional sounds of Ọjà music, originating from the Igbos of South East Nigeria, with the popular South African beats of Amapiano.
Endorsements
Signed a multi millionaire endorsement deal with Tele communications company MTN in 2013[7]
Kcee's contributions to the music industry have earned him numerous recognitions and accolades. Some of his notable achievements include: Winning awards at the Headies, Nigeria entertainment awards and MTV Africa music Awards. He was also nominated for various other awards.[4] Kcee's financial success was further cemented through strategic endorsement deals, notably with MTN Nigeria in 2013, a partnership that solidified his status as a brand ambassador. Additional collaborations with prominent brands, including Magnum, have contributed to his success.
Kcee has evolved his sound in recent years, showcasing his artistic versatility by blending contemporary styles with elements of traditional highlife. This fusion has revitalized his music, appealing to both nostalgic fans of classic Nigerian sounds and newer generations of Afrobeats enthusiasts.[11] His 2020 album, “Cultural Praise,” in collaboration with Okwesili Eze Group, is a perfect example of his ability to evolve while staying connected to his roots.[12] The album was a massive hit, especially among Igbo communities, and it showcased Kcee’s ability to infuse gospel and cultural praise into modern sounds.
Personal life
Kcee keeps his personal life relatively private, but it is known that he is married to Ijeoma Okonkwo, and they have two children together. Despite his fame and flamboyant lifestyle, Kcee has managed to keep his family life away from the public eye, maintaining a healthy balance between his personal and professional life.[4]
Controversies
Despite achieving great success, Kcee's career has not been without controversy. These controversies includes:
Jude Nnam copyright accusation: On January 28, 2021, Mr. Jude Nnam, a catholic music composer issued a formal letter to Five Star Music, Kcee's record label, through his lawyer alleging copyright infringement. Specifically, Mr. Nnam claimed that Kcee's song, 'Som Too Chukwu', which was a song he( Jude Nnam) wrote and composed in the year 2001 to celebrate his daughter's first year birthday violated his intellectual property rights.[13] Kcee added the said song to his 2021 album 'Cultural Praise, Vol. 1' without permission(either oral or written) of the composer, thus the lawsuit.[14] He further filed a 500 million lawsuit aganist Kcee. However, after a prolonged legal battle, the copyright infringement case against Kcee reached its conclusion in September 2024. At the Lagos Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Kehinde Ogundare, Jude Nnam's claims of copyright infringement were dismissed due to insufficient evidence.[15]
Ojapaino Controversy: Kcee's June 2024 hit single, 'Ojapaino', sparked controversy when Igwe Credo, creator of the song's signature 'Mbem' sound and the manager of ojazzy who was the flutist of 'Ojapaino, alleged that they were paid only two hundred thousand for their contribution to the song. He also accused him of abandoning ojazzy, the flutist. Credo expressed hopes that Kcee would provide exposure to boost his own music career. He later stated that he is not interested in the money but demanded that Kcee drafts a contract that provides royalty to the song for them to sign.[16] Initially,. Kcee kept mute over the allegation. However, breaking his silence, Kcee took to Instagram to address the allegations. He expressed disappointment and shared receipts of payments totaling over one million naira made to Igwe Credo on various occasions. He also stated to have invited them to different events to perform but was repeatedly turned down. In addition,he stated that Igwe credo and Ojazzy performs 'Ojapaino' at events without his permission. He emphasized that "Ojapaino" is his intellectual property, and any unauthorized performances constitute a violation of his rights.[17]
'Cultural Vibes'Controversy: In 2024, amidst the Gwogwogwo trend, Kcee faced backlash over allegations of unauthorized song usage. Rumors surfaced that his 2022 track "Cultural Vibes" sampled Mike Ejeagha's work without permission. Kcee responded to the allegation,by sampling with conclusive evidence. He shared a 2018 video showcasing his teams visiting Mike Ejeagha. Kcee further addressed allegations of unauthorized sampling, stating: "I obtained Mike Ejeagha's explicit authorization before using his intellectual property. All necessary paperwork was completed properly."[18]
