Popular Nigerian rapper, Omoniyi Temidayo Raphael, widely known as Zlatan Ibile, has opened up about how becoming a father at the age of 25 transformed his outlook on life and finances.
Speaking on a recent episode of the “Is This A Safe Space?” podcast, the Zanku crooner revealed that welcoming his son five years ago made him re-evaluate his priorities and lifestyle.
According to the award-winning artiste, fatherhood came with both emotional and financial challenges that forced him to make significant adjustments.
“The birth of my son changed me. It made me realise that life was getting more serious. I wasn’t prepared. I started paying house rent in London at 25. I was scared I might not be able to keep up with the bills because some people were saying I might not be relevant in the music industry for more than three years,” he shared.
Zlatan added that the experience made him more financially disciplined, as he began to limit his spending and save more responsibly.
“I became more serious with managing my finances — limited spending and started saving for diapers,” he said humorously.
The rapper also admitted that fatherhood helped him reflect on past mistakes and drop certain habits that no longer aligned with his responsibilities as a parent.
“I regretted some of my previous actions after welcoming my son. His birth kept me away from some habits,” he added.
Zlatan, who rose to fame with hits like Zanku (Leg Work) and Bolanle, said becoming a father gave him a renewed sense of purpose and maturity both in life and in his career.
