Sodiq Badmus Ishola, ZIRO KINGIN is an indigenous rapper whose blend of both Yoruba and English languages in his music highlights his authenticity as a distinct player. He is not your average rapper as he is a street-bred storyteller with a lyrical instinct and an uncompromising sense of integrity.
But his journey hasn’t come without his own challenges but regardless of what comes his way he continues to forge ahead as a true and resilient musical genius. Stepping back from music in 2022 to focus on family saw him emerge with a new purpose and drive. He reminisces that, “It was necessary. Music will always be there, but your family needs your presence. Becoming a father gave me a new kind of purpose. It matured me. It made me write differently and less about flexing, more about legacy. That break helped me come back stronger, with clearer vision.”
Read Also: Davido challenges negative narratives about Nigeria
On what have been some of his hardest lessons in the industry he disclosed that, “Talent is not enough. The industry is about timing, management, politics, and loyalty or the lack of it. I’ve shot videos that never got released. I’ve had tracks buried because of label issues. But I’ve also stayed grounded. I refuse to play dirty or chase clout. That’s why people respect me, even in silence.”
Moving ahead he proudly attests that his journey my different, “I’m not in a rush to be viral. I’m building something solid and something that will outlive trends. I believe when it’s my time, it’ll be undeniable.”
With a new project coming which is raw, reflective, and street-approved he is set to let everyone know that he is indeed back. He also defines himself as not just a rapper but a documentarian of hustle, pain, and survival and his return may just be the renaissance the streets have been waiting for.