2022 is bringing with it many things. From the prospect of new beginnings to hotly-anticipated movie releases and, according to the news, plenty more hype-worthy fashion collaboration. But, above all, the one thing we are most excited about is the revamp our Spotify playlists are going to receive as some of the UK’s fastest rising musical talents set out to treat to the world to a slice of their incomparable sound. With this in mind, we could not think of a better way to kick off the new year than by introducing you to the artists set to dominate the music industry in 2022. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy Wonderland’s Ones To Watch round-up.

There are some artists that dictated 2021, and rising star Ckay was one of them. Dropping his viral remix for “Love Nwantiti”, the rapper took over the social sphere with easy-sailing rhythms and afro-beat tinged productions, teaming it with Moroccan rapper ElGrandeToto ear-worming vocals. Going on to collaborate with fellow rising star Amaarae and working towards his first full lengh album, the artist has captured the attention of many this year and we’re curious to see where 2022 will take him.

With the new year in full swing, Ckay took some time with us to break down his inspirations and creative mindset.

Check out the interview below…

I AM Chukwuka “CKay” Ekweani_

BORN AND RAISED IN Kaduna, Nigeria

THE FIRST RECORD I FIRST FELL IN LOVE WAS Backstreet Boys “I want it that way”

NOW IT REMINDS ME OF my childhood

MY BIGGEST INFLUENCES ARE Drake and Kanye West

VISUALLY, I’M INSPIRED BY the world around me

MY MOST PERSONAL LYRIC IS “if you leave me I go die”

IT’S ABOUT how a part of me dies every time my heart gets broken

RIGHT NOW I’M WRITING ABOUT my life experiences

I HOPE MY MUSIC MAKES PEOPLE feel things

MY SUPERPOWER IS making people feel different types of emotions

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE THAT’S STUCK WITH ME IS be yourself, the world will adjust

THE BEST GIG I’VE EVER SEEN WAS Paramore Monumentour, Chiago July 11 2014

THE BEST CROWD I’VE EVER PLAYED WAS the O2 Arena in London

THE BIGGEST MISCONCEPTION ABOUT ME IS that I’m shy

MY BIGGEST LEARNING CURVE THIS YEAR WAS learning to live in a COVID world

THIS YEAR I’M YEAR PROUD OF having one of the biggest songs in the world, “love nwantiti”

I’M EVOLVING INTO a higher version of myself

I WON’T COMPROMISE ON my authenticity

THE FUTURE OF THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IS afrobeats. It’s the new pop

AS AN INDUSTRY, WE NEED TO be more open minded

BRING BACK flip phones

GEN Z IS awesome

AT MIDNIGHT ON NYE, I’M WISHING FOR a magical 2022

SONG I’VE HAD ON REPEAT IN 2021 CKay “Emiliana”. I’m a perfectionist, and spend a lot of time listening to and perfecting my music

SONG I’M BRINGING INTO 2022 CKay “By Your Side (ft Blxckie)”

BEING INCLUDED AS ONE OF WONDERLAND’S ONES TO WATCH MAKES ME FEEL great to be recognised for my artistry

MY NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION IS to keep the momentum and show the world that I’m a true artist, who makes music that resonates with people’s experiences

NEXT YEAR I WILL release my debut album and tell my story to the world

NEXT YEAR YOU SHOULD BE LISTENING TO CKay

THIS YEAR I HOPE WE CAN ALL have the luxury of living within our purpose, with CKay as the theme song to whatever the mood is!