Zlatan Ibile music career began unexpectedly after an academic setback changed his life path. The 30-year-old artist revealed in an interview with Africa Now Radio on Apple Music that failing to gain university admission in 2011 became the turning point that pushed him toward music.
Zlatan had planned to attend university but failed mathematics and accounting, leaving him without the required credentials. With a year to wait before reapplying, he suddenly had free time on his hands.
Growing up as a church drummer and choir boy, Zlatan’s entry into music was unplanned. One day, a friend with no prior experience played him a song he had made. Curious, Zlatan followed him to the studio.
He recalled, “I didn’t think the song made sense, but when I played it for my siblings, they made me feel like Jay-Z.” Their excitement boosted his confidence and sparked his passion for recording.
When Zlatan finally gained admission a year later, he had only a few songs. Still, he decided to keep creating music. During his first semester, he entered a campus rap competition with little expectation. His songs were rough and unmastered, but he enjoyed performing.
To his surprise, Zlatan Ibile’s career took off when he won the competition, earning a car at just 19 years old. The victory came only three weeks into his first semester, before he had even written an exam.
He said, “I didn’t believe anyone could win a car from the kind of music I made. That moment made me fall in love with rap.”
