CKay on Smiling in Public: ‘It’s About the Art, Not Just the Picture’

Nigerian singer-songwriter CKay has opened up about the public’s perception of his smile, offering insight into how he views the expectations placed on him by fans and critics. In a recent interview on Joey Akan’s Afrobeats Intelligence podcast, CKay discussed the pressure to appear constantly happy, explaining that he refuses to fake emotions for the sake of public approval.

CKay revealed that many people, both fans and critics, often tell him he should smile more, especially in public appearances. However, he believes this expectation is mainly based on his image in photos. “I think people build a perception of me needing to smile more because of pictures,” he said. “Maybe I don’t smile enough in pictures.” He pointed out that people often judge his mood or personality based on his appearance in photos, not fully understanding the complexity of his emotions.

The singer also linked his smile to his music, explaining that his emotional state during the creation of his upcoming album was far from cheerful. “I wasn’t smiling when I started working on this album… the mood was reality,” CKay shared. He emphasized that, for him, music isn’t just about expressing positivity, but about representing the full spectrum of human emotion.

Moreover, CKay underscored the importance of authenticity in his work. He explained that making music solely about positive emotions would be unrealistic. “Positive and negative emotions happen to a person, so I say making art has to represent both,” he stated. For CKay, true artistry lies in capturing the complex, multifaceted nature of life, rather than presenting a one-dimensional image of happiness.