Zlatan has shed new light on why he has never ventured into signing artistes, saying the risks involved are simply not worth his hard-earned money. Speaking on the Afrobeats podcast, he revealed that investing in upcoming talent has never aligned with his approach to business or stability.
He explained that he prefers to channel his money into things he can rely on rather than gamble on a musician whose future is uncertain. “I’d rather just go buy a house rather than put money on this artist that I’m not sure of, if the artist is going to blow up or not,” he said, stressing that he has no interest in putting pressure on himself for an unpredictable outcome.
Zlatan pointed out that collaboration—not artiste signing—was what built his name. He said working with artistes across generations gave him opportunities that money couldn’t buy. “Collaboration has played a vital role in my career. The older generation, the new generation… they collaborated with me when I popped out. That’s how I got the big dogs.”
He noted that his decision to avoid signing artistes comes from a personal promise to maintain financial stability, especially after dealing with early-career challenges. He recalled times when anxiety and pressure weighed heavily on him before he found his footing. “The reason why I’m doing this is to take care of myself and be stable financially in life. In the beginning I was not balanced. There was pressure, there was anxiety.”
Zlatan added that having money affects how confidently he performs in the studio. “If I have money and I go to the studio, the way I’m going to be busting like this is money.”
He also mentioned that he quit smoking in 2019 and appreciates the loyal support he receives from fans, especially those from the East. Reflecting on his lively collaboration with Flavour, he joked about the energy required for such performances now that he’s financially comfortable. “I saw that collaboration with Flavour on a banyan, crazy. As a big man that’s rich now, can you jump up and down with him?”
Zlatan made it clear that while he will continue working with other artistes, signing or funding them is a responsibility he’s not interested in taking on. His priority remains staying grounded, stable, and fully in control of his journey.
