“I Was Scared I Couldn’t Keep Up with Bills” — Zlatan Ibile Reflects on Becoming a Father at 25

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 Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has opened up about how becoming a father at the age of 25 transformed his life, revealing that the experience forced him to mature quickly and make major lifestyle changes.

 The Zanku crooner shared these insights during a recent episode of the “Is This A Safe Space?” podcast, where he discussed the impact of fatherhood on his personal growth, finances, and career outlook.

According to Zlatan, welcoming his son five years ago marked a major turning point that compelled him to take responsibility more seriously. 

“The birth of my son changed me. It made me realise that life was getting more serious. I wasn’t prepared,” he said. The rapper explained that before becoming a parent, his priorities were different, but fatherhood quickly reshaped his focus.

He recalled how adjusting to his new role came with unexpected financial pressure, especially as he began living in London. 

“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,” Zlatan said.

The Lagos Anthem hitmaker added that those fears pushed him to become more disciplined with money. “I became more serious with managing my finances.

 Limited spending and started saving for diapers,” he revealed, reflecting on how fatherhood made him more financially conscious.

Zlatan also admitted that his journey into fatherhood made him re-evaluate certain behaviours and habits he once had. He confessed that he regretted some of his past decisions and became more focused on building a stable future for himself and his family.

 “The birth of my son made me sit up. I stopped engaging in some habits that no longer fit the man I wanted to become,” he said.

The rapper, who has been one of Nigeria’s most consistent Afrobeats acts since his breakout in 2018, described the early days of fatherhood as both challenging and rewarding. 

Balancing a thriving career and personal responsibilities, he said, was not easy at first but has since become a source of motivation.

Zlatan noted that being a father helped him develop a deeper sense of gratitude and direction. He emphasized that his son gave his life new meaning and helped him value time, relationships, and money differently. 

“I used to think about success in terms of fame and hits, but now I think about sustainability  how to build something lasting for my child,” he said.

Since entering the Nigerian music scene with his viral Zanku (Legwork) dance in 2018, Zlatan has evolved beyond his street-hop origins, blending high-energy performances with messages drawn from personal experience.

 His reflections on fatherhood now show a more introspective side to the artist, who continues to use his platform to inspire young people.

For Zlatan, fatherhood has not only deepened his maturity but also reshaped his approach to music and life. “It’s no longer just about me,” he concluded. “It’s about building a future my son can be proud of.”

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