Kcee Opens Up on Award Snubs That Once Left Him in Tears, Says “I Prefer Rewards to Awards”

Nigerian Afrobeats star Kcee has revealed a painful side of his music journey, disclosing that repeated award snubs once broke him emotionally and even left him in tears before he learned to detach his self-worth from industry recognition.

The 47-year-old singer, born Kingsley Okonkwo, said he spent years feeling overlooked despite consistent effort and growing fan support, describing the experience as one of the most difficult phases of his early career.

Speaking on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, Kcee said he struggled with lack of nominations and recognition from award organisers, even as his music gained traction with listeners.

He admitted the rejection affected him deeply at the time, saying he cried over being ignored by the industry while fans continued to support his work.

According to him, the experience eventually forced a mindset shift, leading him to stop seeking validation through awards and instead focus on audience impact and personal success.

Kcee said his perspective changed significantly after the breakthrough of his hit song “Limpopo,” which he described as a defining moment in his career and a sign that his work was finally reaching a wider audience.

He explained that the song’s success felt like an emotional breakthrough after years of struggle, adding that it confirmed his place in the mainstream music scene.

The singer also reflected on his recent success with the viral track “Ojapiano,” which gained massive traction on TikTok shortly after release, generating hundreds of thousands of user-generated videos within days.

He said the organic response to the song showed the growing power of digital platforms in shaping modern music success, especially among global audiences.

Kcee, who began his music journey in a church choir before rising to fame with KC Presh after winning the 2002 Star Quest competition, has remained a consistent figure in Afrobeats.

Over the years, he has released several hit records including “Okpekete,” “Ojaginger,” “Big Fish,” and collaborations such as “Tender” featuring Tekno.

His 2025 album Okonkwo and Sons Unlimited further showcased his blend of highlife and Afrobeats, featuring international and local collaborations including Wyclef Jean, Teni, and Umu Obiligbo.