Kcee and Flavour engaged in a social media spat in 2024 after the latter shaded someone online for allegedly copying his musical style.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Afrobeats singer Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has justified his decision not to sign his colleague, Chinedu Okoli a.k.a. Flavour, to his record label, saying he “didn’t believe in him at that time.”
He made this known recently in Lagos while appearing as a guest on a programme on Yanga FM.
In 2024, the duo engaged in a social media face-off after Flavour shaded someone online for allegedly copying his musical style.
Taking to his X account, he shared a cryptic message saying, “Copy copy akaria,” which translates to “Copycat, shame on you!”
While Flavour did not mention any name, Kcee caught the shade and warned him to stop trying to gatekeep Igbo cultural music, adding that he was in the music industry before him.
“Stop trying to gatekeep Igbo culture. You’re not a custodian. I’ve been in this game before you; it belongs to all. You don’t own this genre of music. My music celebrates our heritage, and I won’t apologise,” the “Limpopo” crooner responded.
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However, while addressing their feud in his latest interview, Kcee said his first encounter with Flavour was years ago when popular talent manager Soso Soberekon brought him to him to sign to his record label.
He went on to say he declined to give him a record deal because he didn’t see potential in him then.
He added that he does not think their rift started because he rejected him but emphasised that some of his colleagues believe that he is not talented because he doesn’t brag about his talent.
Speaking during the chat, Kcee said, “Till now, I don’t understand the reason for his beef with me, especially that incident where he alleged that someone was coping him. The truth is that when some people had written you off, hoping that you would be stagnant, and you work hard and get to a level they don’t expect you to reach, that was what happened.
“I came into the music industry before Flavour. Soso Soberekon brought him to me years ago to sign to my record label. I was already driving exotic cars and balling before he came to Lagos. I told Soso I can’t sign Flavour because I didn’t see potential in him at that time. It wasn’t because I have something against him.
“I don’t think that was why he is holding a grudge against me. But time shall tell. 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 proves every doubter wrong. Some of those who doubted me in the past have come to apologise to me and admitted that they were wrong about me.”
