My Parents Refused to Live in The House I Bought for ₦70million – Zlatan Ibile

Popular Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile has laid bare the early struggles that came with his sudden rise to fame. In a recent interview video now making the rounds, the “Zanku” crooner revealed how his parents initially rejected the first house he bought for them. They suspected the money was proceeds from internet fraud, commonly called Yahoo in Nigeria.

The Lekki property, purchased for ₦70 million shortly after his 2019 breakthrough, left his parents unconvinced. Zlatan said he had to bring in a lawyer to explain that the funds came from legitimate music earnings and not any shady dealings. The incident, he added, highlighted the deep mistrust many Nigerian families hold towards quick wealth in the entertainment industry.

“ My parents refused to live in the first house I bought because they thought it was Yahoo money… I had to get a lawyer to explain music money, and even made him sign a no-tattoo contract” he stated in the clip.

Zlatan Ibile opens up 👀 His parents refused to move into his ₦70M first house, thinking it was “Yahoo money,” and even made him sign a no-tattoo contract 😳 #ZlatanStories #MusicHustle pic.twitter.com/Sw5bYCSOxg

— DimlawPR (@dimlawpr) April 2, 2026

Before fame fully took over, Zlatan lived under very strict parental rules. While still staying with them, he was required to return home before 10pm every night. His parents even made him sign a formal contract banning tattoos, a common way many Nigerian households tried to keep their children in check during their teenage years.

The singer’s story has resonated widely on social media, with many young Nigerians in music and creative fields sharing similar experiences. In a country where sudden success often raises eyebrows due to the prevalence of cybercrime, Zlatan’s candid account shows the extra hurdles legitimate artists must clear to win family trust.

NaijaChoice News understands the revelations form part of a larger conversation the artist is having about his journey from humble beginnings to stardom. The video has already sparked debates on parental expectations and the real cost of breaking into the Nigerian music scene.