Nigerian singer Kcee has finally opened up about his long-rumored beef with fellow artist Flavour, revealing that he turned down a chance to sign him to his record label years ago.
The Limpopo singer, whose real name is Kingsley Chinweike Okonkwo, made the revelation during an interview on Yanga FM 98.9 in Lagos.
Kcee explained that talent manager Soso Soberekon once brought Flavour, whose real name is Chinedu Okoli, to him for a record deal many years ago. Kcee said he rejected the idea because he did not see the potential at the time and was already an established act.
He said, “That time Soso Soberekon wan bring Flavour come my label, I say no. I reject am…I told Soso I can’t sign Flavour because I didn’t see potentials in him at that time. It wasn’t because I have something against him.”
Kcee stressed that he had no personal problem with Flavour, adding that his success came long before the proposal. He said, “I came into the music industry before Flavour. That time I don get Bentley, I don get Lamborghini, I dey drive motor. Limpopo don dey bang everywhere. So you wan come dey feel like say you fit just come meet me like that? No o. Na why the matter be that.”
He also addressed the 2024 social media clash, where Flavour posted a message many interpreted as a jab at Kcee’s sound. Kcee said he was surprised because he never called Flavour’s name.
He said, “That particular incident me self I no understand am because I no call anybody out and nobody call my name for the response. My response be say you no be custodian of the culture.”
The beef between the two singers became public in 2024 when Flavour accused Kcee of copying his style in the song “Soweto.”
In October 2024, Flavour posted “Copy copy akaria” on X (formerly Twitter), which many believed was directed at Kcee’s new track that resembled his hit song “Doings,” though he did not mention any names.
Kcee responded strongly to the shade, accusing Flavour of trying to control Igbo highlife music and reminding people that he had been in the industry longer.
Kcee said he still does not understand why Flavour holds a grudge against him, suggesting that some people were unhappy with his continued success in the industry.
According to him, many colleagues misjudge him because he does not boast. “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 prove every doubter wrong. Some of those who doubted me in the past have come to apologise to me.”
Kcee added that he avoids unnecessary rivalry and prefers to focus on his craft. “I no dey for competition. Zero competition. I just dey do music the way I feel. So e be me inside. I enjoy the whole process.”
