Lil Kesh Reflects on Early Fame Says It Was Overwhelming and Came With Sacrifices
Nigerian rapper and singer Lil Kesh has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of becoming famous at a very young age. The “Shoki” hitmaker, whose real name is Keshinro Ololade, said rising to stardom as a teenager was overwhelming and came with major sacrifices.
Speaking during a recent episode of The Esther Show, which premiered on YouTube on May 2, 2025, Lil Kesh recalled how fame came too fast and too soon. “Making it big early felt overwhelming. I blew at a very tender age. I was 19 when I got signed,” he revealed.
The music star added that he was just 20 when his hit song “Shoki” dominated the Nigerian airwaves. “Imagine being in the spotlight that early,” he said. “I feel like that is not talked about so much. Shoutout to people like Justin Bieber who were vulnerable enough to tell their story. I went through things similar to that.”
Lil Kesh explained that his early success robbed him of many normal life experiences. “Coming into the spotlight at such a young age, I was deprived of a lot of things — life experiences I should have had. I was put in a high position too early, and it was overwhelming trying to handle all of that.”
His honest reflections have drawn praise from fans, who commended him for speaking up about the pressures of early fame, especially in an industry that often glorifies success but rarely discusses the emotional struggles behind it.
The interview sheds light on the often-ignored realities young artists face when stardom comes knocking before they are fully prepared to handle its demands.
