Nigerian singer Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has opened up about his long-rumoured rift with fellow highlife star, Flavour.

The tension between both artistes dates back to 2024 when Flavour threw a subtle shade online at an unnamed colleague for allegedly copying his musical style. Although no name was mentioned, Kcee interpreted the jab as being directed at him and responded by warning Flavour against gatekeeping Igbo cultural music, reminding him that he (Kcee) joined the music industry earlier.

Speaking in a recent interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Kcee revealed that his first encounter with Flavour occurred years ago when popular talent manager, Soso Soberekon, brought the then-upcoming singer to him for a potential record deal. According to Kcee, he declined to sign Flavour because he “did not see the potential in him at the time.”

The Limpopo crooner insisted that he does not believe the rejection was the cause of their rift. Instead, he attributed the tension to what he described as “superiority complex” among some colleagues who underrate his talent due to his humility.

He said:

“Till now, I don’t understand the reason for his beef with me, especially that incident where he alleged that someone was copying him. The truth is that when some people have written you off, hoping you would be stagnant, and you work hard and reach a level they never expected, it becomes a problem.”

Kcee added that he had already achieved significant success before Flavour came to Lagos.

“Soso Soberekon brought him to me years ago to sign to my record label. I was already driving exotic cars and balling before he came to Lagos. I told Soso I couldn’t sign Flavour because I didn’t see potentials in him then. It wasn’t personal.”

He stressed that many colleagues misjudge him because he does not boast about his abilities.

“A lot of my colleagues underrate my talent, and my humility also contributed to that. Because I don’t brag. I don’t need it. But time will always prove them wrong. Some who doubted me in the past have come to apologise and admit they were wrong.”

Kcee concluded by saying only time will tell whether the perceived tension between him and Flavour will ever be resolved.