In this interview, S.King opens up about what drew him to Miley Cyrus’ hit “Flowers” and why he decided to sample it in his music. From connecting with its message of self-love to adding his unique Afrobeats flavor, he explains how the track inspired him and became a meaningful part of his artistic journey.
I have to ask — what’s the story behind the name?
S.King stands for Special King — a name I gave myself before fully realizing how powerful my story truly was. Òké, one of my given names, was chosen by my mum because I was born with a sac, which in Yoruba culture is rare and spiritually significant. As I grew older, I understood its meaning, and everything started to align. Both my mum and dad come from royal blood, so adding “King” reflects heritage, identity, and destiny. S.King isn’t just a stage name; it’s spirituality, royalty, and self-awareness.
Tell me about your childhood. Where did you grow up?
Growing up in Mushin, Lagos, I was immersed in energetic experiences and exposed to both gospel and non-gospel music from a young age, favoring artists like D’banj, Olu Maintain, 9ice, 2Face, and 50 Cent. I was also a big movie fan, influenced by films like Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and enjoyed TV shows from Cartoon Network and Disney, including Ben 10 and Justice League. This mix of music, movies, and cartoons shaped my creativity and music.
When did you start taking yourself seriously as an artist?
I really started taking myself seriously when I dropped my first single, “My Heart in Lovid 19.” The response blew me away — I received compliments, messages, and even emails from people I didn’t know telling me how much they loved the song. That connection with people boosted my confidence and made me realize that music wasn’t just something I enjoyed — it was my calling. From that moment, I made a true commitment to my craft, focusing on creating music that resonates and connects.
What kind of energy do you bring into the studio? In the studio, I bring focused, intentional, and authentic energy. I don’t force creativity — I let it flow naturally. Sometimes it’s soft and emotional, other times bold and confident, depending on the song. I treat every session as a moment to build, not just record. For me, the studio is a space to translate emotion into sound and capture something that truly connects with me.
What’s been your biggest “wow, this is real” moment so far?
Just seeing how people connected with my first single, “My Heart in Lovid 19.” People went from calling me by my given name to S.King. Receiving messages and emails from strangers telling me how much they loved the song was surreal. Even more mind-blowing — my music was being listened to in 72 countries in my first year. That’s when it really hit me: this isn’t just a dream; it’s real. Feeling that kind of connection and reach was unforgettable and has fueled everything I do since.
Are you making music for vibes, money, legacy… or all of it?
Honestly, all of it. I started with vibes — just making music for the love of it. Along the way, I’ve made some money, and now I’m focused on legacy. I want my music to shake the world in a gentle way — to connect with people deeply while leaving something lasting behind.
What keeps you going when things feel slow?
Clarity and self-belief keep me going. I’m not in a rush to go mainstream; I focus on doing the work that needs to be done in private. Even when progress feels slow, I trust the process, stay disciplined, and keep building toward the future I envision. Slow doesn’t mean stagnant — it means preparing for something lasting.
You released a cover of Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” what inspired it. Is she one of your favourite artists?
I love that song so much that I had to do the cover. I connected with it deeply — it was actually my most played song on Spotify that year. The message of self-love really hit me, and I wanted to express it in my own way, adding my own tone and perspective. I wouldn’t say Miley is one of my all-time favourite artists, but I respect her artistry, and that song resonated with me. For me, it was about taking a message I connected with and making it my own.
What about your EP “Lovid 19” sounds like it was inspired by Covid. What did you hope to achieve with it?
The EP was a project I started during the pandemic. While COVID-19 was the coronavirus, Lovid 19 stands for the “love virus.” It was inspired by the emotions I experienced during that time, especially a personal love story that developed while we were all in lockdown. I wanted the world to experience the love virus the same way people experienced COVID-19 — to feel it, connect with it, and let it resonate.
The EP includes four tracks — “My Heart in Lovid 19,” “Dear Dami,” “True Love,” and “Baby Boo” — each reflecting a chapter of that experience, capturing vulnerability, connection, and genuine emotion. It’s about sharing love in a time when the world felt distant and isolated, and giving people a chance to feel it deeply through music.
Let’s talk about your new collaboration “X Lovers”, What was it like collaborating with Seyannie?
Working on “X Lovers” with Seyannie was amazing. She’s incredibly talented and was emotionally invested in the song because it’s based on a personal story. The process was long and detailed — we spent a year writing and recording, and the mixing and mastering process stretched over 2–3 years. The first producer didn’t capture the sound I wanted, so I handed it to another producer, and in total, it took five years before we finally released it.
The song is a heartbreak track from a dual perspective, which is rare in music. It was important for me that every emotion came through authentically, and collaborating with Seyannie allowed us to create something truly special that listeners can feel deeply.
Would you consider yourself a lover boy? Yes, I am a lover boy. I feel deeply and I move carefully — love is a verb for me. It’s about action, intention, and sincerity, not just words or feelings.
Have you ever been in love? If so, what was it like?
Yes, I’ve been in love. It was like bread — perfect, goes with everything.
Have you ever been heartbroken?
Of course. The fun part about being an artist is putting your emotions into songs, and heartbreak is one of the strongest emotions to write about. I’ve even written songs about small things — like the time my charger cord was stolen.
What’s one thing people don’t see about your journey?
The struggles it takes to be an artist — people see the song, they see the artist, but they don’t see the process behind the art. Sometimes they catch glimpses, but they don’t fully understand the effort, patience, and work that goes into creating something meaningful.
What are you building right now?
Right now, I’m working on my next project, infusing rap into different genres. I’m also taking vocal lessons, focusing on self-improvement, and keeping up with my schooling. It’s all about growing as an artist and a person while building a sound and vision that lasts.
If everything works out exactly how you want, where are we seeing you in 5 years?
In 5 years, you’ll see me topping charts globally with music that moves people, collaborating with some of my favourite artists, and touring to connect with fans around the world. I want S.King to be synonymous with vibe, depth, and legacy — a sound that blends cultures and emotions. My goal is to shake the world gently with my music and leave a lasting impact.
”X Lovers” my S.King and Seyannie is out now on all streaming platforms.
