Zlatan (musician)

Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael (born 19 December 1994), known professionally as Zlatan Ibile or simply Zlatan is a Nigerian rapper and singer.^[1][2] He is the chief executive officer and founder of Zanku records.^[3] In 2014, he won the Airtel-sponsored One Mic talent show held in 2014, Abeokuta, Ogun State.^[4]

Zlatan
Zlatan in 2024
Background information
Birth name	Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael
Also known as	Zlatan Ibile, Kapaichumarimarichupako, World President, Zlanti
Born	(1994-12-19) 19 December 1994 (age 30) Lagos, Nigeria
Genres	Afrobeats hip hop
Occupations	Rapper singer songwriter dancer
Years active	2014–present
Labels	Zanku Records

Towards the end of 2018, Raphael released a single titled "Zanku", with a new dance routine of the same name.^[5] On 3 November 2019, he released his debut studio album Zanku, an acronym for Zlatan Abeg No Kill Us.^[6] He named himself after Zlatan Ibrahimović, as he wanted to be a footballer.^[7]

Early life and career

Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael was born and raised in Ikorodu, Lagos State but has family roots in Ijurin, Ekiti State.^[8][9] In 2011, he graduated with a national diploma in business administration from Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.^[10][11] Raphael decided to pursue a career in music after graduating secondary school.^[12] When he was 19 years old, he won the Airtel-sponsored 2014 edition of "One Mic Campus Tour" music competition, which was held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.^[13] He gained recognition in 2017 after releasing "My Body", which features Olamide.^[14][12] In 2018, Lawrence Irabor, co-owner of Alleluyah Boiz Entertainment, signed Zlatan to the record label after hearing "My Body".

Zlatan gained further exposure following his collaboration with Chinko Ekun and Lil Kesh on the 2018 hit single "Able God".^[15] Shortly afterwards, he dropped "Zanku", a song that was accompanied by a viral dance routine of the same name.^[16] Towards the end of 2018, Zlatan released the Davido-assisted track "Osanle".^[17] In early 2019, he released "Glory" before being featured on Burna Boy's "Killin Dem", a track from the latter's fourth studio album African Giant. Shortly afterwards, he was featured on Ceeza Milli's "Flenjo" and Naira Marley's "Am I a Yahoo Boy".^[18] On 26 July 2019, Zlatan signed an endorsement deal with Coca-Cola.^[19]

2020–present: Zanku Records and EndSARS protest

On January 1, 2020, Raphael took to his Instagram page to announce the launch of his record label 'Zanku Records' with no artists unveiled.^[20] Down to February 25, he celebrated his birthday while he announced the numbers and names of acts he signed. He listed three artists named: Papisnoop, Oberz and Jamopyper. He also announced the official signing of a Videographer/Cinematographer named Visionary Pictures, his Manager 'Manager Jiggy', his Music Producer Rexxie and a PR ConsultantBiesloaded'. He made this announcement with a picture of him and seven other people via his Instagram page.^[21]

In October 2020, during the EndSARS protest, Zlatan released "Soro Soke" to express his concern over the alleged massacre of innocent youths at the 2020 Lekki shooting.^[22]

Personal life

Arrest and release

In May 2019, the EFCC arrested Zlatan, Naira Marley and a few others in connection with an alleged case of internet fraud and money laundering.^[23][24] A few days later, he was released on administrative bail.^[25]

Discography

Studio albums

• Zanku (2019)
• Resan (2021)

EPs

• Omo Ologo (2023)

Singles

As lead artist

Year	Title	Album	Ref
2016	"Odun Yi" (featuring Spaceboi)	Non-album single	[26]
2017	"Omoge"		[27]
	"My Body" (featuring Olamide)		[28]
2018	"Jogor" (featuring Lil Kesh and Naira Marley)		[29]
	"Zanku (Legwork)"		[30]
	"Oja"		[31]
	"Osanle" (featuring Davido)		[32]
2019	"This Year"
	"4 Days in Ekohtiebo"		[33]
	"Killin Dem" (with Burna Boy)	African Giant
	"Shotan" (featuring Tiwa Savage)	Zanku
	"kokosa" (featuring Juls, Damibliz, Jorlasi)		[34][35]
	"Bolanle" (with IVD)	Non-album single
	"Gbeku" (featuring Burna Boy)	Zanku	[36]
	"Yeye Boyfriend"		[37]
2020	"Quilox"	Non-album single	[38]
	"Unripe Pawpaw" (featuring Papisnoop, Jamo Pyper and Oberz)		[39]
2020	"The Matter"	Non-album single	[40]
2020	"Soro Soke"	Non-album single	[41][42]
2020	"Lagos Anthem"	Non-album single
2021	"Alubarika" (featuring Buju )	Resan	[43]
2021	"Ale Yi"	Resan
2023	"Omo Ologo"	Non-album single
2024	"10 Bottles" (featuring Asake)	Non-album single	[44]

As featured artist

Year	Title	Album	Ref
2019	"Jo" (Dammy Krane featuring Zlatan and Olamide)	Non-album single	[45]
	"Am I a Yahoo Boy" (Naira Marley featuring Zlatan)
	"Kowope" (HDT featuring Zlatan and GCN)		[46]
	"Flenjo" (Ceeza Milli featuring Zlatan)
	Lock Up (Davolee ft. Zlatan)		[47]
	"Chacha" (Remix) (Harrysong featuring Zlatan)
	"Onye Eze 2.0" (CDQ featuring Zlatan)		[48]
	"Gelato" (DJ Cuppy featuring Zlatan)		[49]
2020	"Chairman" (Remix) (Dremo featuring Zlatan)		[50]
	"Pongilah" (Slimcase featuring Zlatan)		[51]
	"Egungun" (Remix) (Obesere featuring Zlatan)		[52]
	"Of Lala" (Rahman Jago featuring Zlatan and Jamo Pyper)		[53]
	"O Por" (Rexxie featuring Zlatan)	Afro Street Vol. 1	[54]
2022	Robby Law – No Money No Konji ft. Zlatan x DennyB		[55]

Filmography

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2023	Gangs of Lagos	Kash	Supporting role

Awards and nominations

Year	Event	Prize	Recipient	Result	Ref
2018	City People Music Awards	Rookie of the Year	Himself	Nominated	[56]
2019	The Headies	Next Rated		Nominated	[57]
		Best Street Hop Artiste	Zlatan for "Zanku (Legwork)"	Nominated
		Best Collaboration	Burna Boy and Zlatan for "Killin Dem"	Won
		Song of the Year	"Legwork"	Nominated
	African Muzik Magazine Awards	Best New Act	Himself	Won	[58]
		Best Collaboration	Burna Boy and Zlatan for "Killin Dem"	Won
		Song of the Year	"Killin Dem"	Won
2021	Net Honours	Most Searched Actress	Most played street hop song - "Lagos Anthem"	Nominated	[59]
		Most played street hop song	"Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln	Nominated
		Most played Hip Hop song	"Lagos Anthem"	Nominated

See also

• List of Nigerian musicians