Afrobeats artiste Siraheem, real name Raheem Okoya, is a singer and an executive director at Eleganza Group, one of Nigeria’s largest and most enduring home-grown industrial conglomerates.
The fast-rising artiste has addressed claims that his success is driven by nepotism, insisting that his journey in music has been shaped by hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.
Addressing the Nepotism Narrative
Speaking with HipTV, the singer admitted that breaking into the Afrobeats industry has been far from easy.
“It is definitely not easy. I set the bar high for myself. It comes with sleepless nights,” he said.
Behind-the-Scenes Struggles in Music
He explained that many of the struggles faced by rising artistes often go unseen by the public.
“Music is not a joke. I’m willing to learn. I invested my own money. There was no real support system,” he stated
Adding that the process tested his resolve.
“I thought I could do this as a hobby, but it was a tougher system. You cannot cheat the system.”
Career Sacrifices and Personal Cost
Reflecting on the demands of his journey, Sirraheem admitted that the sacrifices were overwhelming.
“The sacrifices I made, I can’t recall,” he said.
Balancing Music and Executive Responsibilities
He also spoke about balancing his music career with his responsibilities as an executive director at Eleganza.
“Managing the executive role is not easy. I try to push myself in my capacity. It helps to have the right timing, and I try to use my time effectively,” he added.
Discipline Over Privilege
Siraheem maintains that while his background is often highlighted, his progress in Afrobeats is rooted in discipline, sacrifice, and sustained effort rather than privilege.
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