Chukwuka Ekweani (born 16 July 1995), better known by his stage name Ckay (stylised as CKay), is a Nigerian singer-songwriter and record producer signed to Warner Music South Africa and Atlantic Records. He was formerly signed to Chocolate City, a member of Warner Music Group independent label services ADA. His international hit single “Love Nwantiti”, also known as “Love Nwantiti (Ah Ah Ahh)”, was released in 2019 by Chocolate City. On 29 March 2022, the song debuted at number one, following the launch of the Billboard Afrobeats chart. On 9 May 2022, it became the first-ever African song to surpass one billion streams on Spotify and has since been deemed “the biggest hit in African history”.
Asa Asika signed Ckay to The Plug Entertainment, under management during the early peak of his global career as Ckay’s manager.
Chukwuka Ekweani was born in Kaduna, a state in the northwestern region of Nigeria. He is of Igbo descent from Anambra State. His love for music was driven by his father, a choir conductor at their local church. While growing up, he was moved by musical instruments, which prompted him to learn the piano from his father. Thereafter, a friend introduced him to the production software Fruity Loops. Chukwuka started off his music career as a member of a band, made up of him and two other band mates, before beginning his solo career as CKay.
