CKay doesn’t break down the door. My guy just enters like breeze, soft, sweet, and suddenly everywhere you turn. It’s the same energy he introduced with CKay the First back in 2019, when he dared to make Afrobeats emo. Yes, the man brought guitars, moody chords, and heartbreak to a genre known for turning up. Fast-forward a few years and “love nwantiti”—his whisper-turned-worldwide-obsession—took over TikTok, dominated global charts, and made him one of Nigeria’s most-streamed artists in the world.
But now, with CKay the Second, a six-track EP released under AWAL, CKay says chill—I’m not here for fresh viral numbers. I’ve done that. This time, he wants to show you what it sounds like when the ego leaves the chat and the feeling takes over.
The tape opens with “tey tey,” and from the jump, you know this guy isn’t trying to impress anybody. It lands like a love letter on bedsheets. Gentle guitar, just enough bounce to sway your chest, and lines like “My darling… my girl fine pass Queen Amina.” No fake deepness. No God-complex lyrics. Just a guy in love. A clear heart. Simple.
This is followed by the reflective “forever,” a track that captures the bliss of new affection before flowing into the sparse, intentional beat of “permit me.” On that song, it’s almost awkward how bare the beat is—but then your head starts nodding anyway. It’s proof that where others throw kitchen sinks at their beats, CKay can grab a single guitar riff and turn it into a whole mood.
Then comes “again” featuring Sabrina Claudio. Now, Sabrina’s silky R&B aura plus CKay’s melting vocal? Dangerously smooth combo. They’re not trying to one-up each other—it’s not that kind of collab. Instead, their voices wrap around each other like a late-night confession—Spotify and chill levels of intimacy. This one isn’t about shaking your waist. It’s for playing at 2:03 a.m., when your crush is still up and typing.
After the vibey “say no more,” the project closes with “nothing spoil,” which brings CKay back to the trenches—not literally, but emotionally. He invites Bella Shmurda in, and Bella shows up, raw and real with that smoky Lagos drawl. Some might expect CKay to harden his sound to match Bella’s energy. Nope. He simply lets Bella swim in his world. And again, it works. The contrast makes the song bump even more, without turning it into some jollof-hybrid mess.
Production across the project—with CKay himself taking a significant role alongside names like P.Priime—is airy and intentional.
And the stats? They’re already moving. CKay the Second hit No.1 on Nigeria’s iTunes and has been charting on Apple Music across Africa. Not because it was pushed down our throats. Nah. The music just feels good. People find it, play it, and come back. That’s how you know it’s real.
Look—in an era where every artist is chasing the next viral smash, CKay is doing the opposite. No social media gimmicks. No force. He’s carving out a quiet lane and decorating it with paper hearts, soft guitar loops, and honest feelings. Some artists make music to move your waist. CKay makes music to live rent-free in your head.
And that’s the thing: CKay the Second might not bang in the club, but it’ll haunt your thoughts hours after you stop listening. It’s haunting in the best way—like a memory you’re not ready to let go of.
CKay isn’t screaming for impact. He’s whispering, because he knows you’re already listening.
Listen to “CKay The Second” below.