Zlatan Ibile Opens Up on Fatherhood at 25: ‘It Changed My Life Completely’

Kehinde Adeleye
Nigerian rapper Zlatan Ibile has reflected on how becoming a father at 25 transformed his outlook on life and finances.
The Zanku crooner revealed that welcoming his son five years ago prompted him to re-evaluate his priorities, limit his spending, and focus on financial stability.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Is This A Safe Space? podcast, Zlatan admitted that the experience was both rewarding and overwhelming particularly as he navigated raising a child while living in London.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The rapper, known for his energetic street anthems and pioneering the Zanku dance movement, said fatherhood made him more disciplined with money.
“I became more serious with managing my finances. Limited spending and started saving for diapers,” he added with a laugh.
Zlatan also admitted that fatherhood changed his behaviour and lifestyle choices, noting that his son’s birth made him reflect deeply on past mistakes and helped him avoid habits that no longer aligned with his new responsibilities.