Before he ever held a mic, he heard one. Somewhere in the background of childhood—amidst the soft gospel chords and static hum of home-burned CDs—was the voice of his father. Not just a father, but an artist. A quiet muse with a message. That was where it started for Wisdom Oshoriameh Emmanuel.
But you can call him Zee Flex.
“My dad has always been my inspiration,” he says, recalling those gospel recordings with reverence. The way they echoed through memory, not just as songs, but as seeds.
Church became the first stage. The choir, the first audience. In that sacred space between faith and sound, a young boy began to understand rhythm—not just as something you dance to, but something you feel. Something you carry.
Then came the discovery. Eminem. Kendrick Lamar. Pheelz. Different men, different sounds, but one thing in common—they told stories. And for Zee Flex, storytelling is everything. “My sound is more on storytelling,” he says. “I want to be able to give out energy people can relate with.”
From Zeal to Zee Flex
The first name he picked was Zeal—a word that meant passion, fire, purpose. But it lacked something. “Zee Flex has more taste,” he says with a smile. “It’s catchy. So I stuck with it.” And just like that, a moniker was born—not from branding meetings or algorithms, but from instinct. From knowing what felt right.
The Bond Between Hunger and Sound
The hunger to make it in the music industry has always been there. But for Zee Flex, it's not just about charts or fame—it’s about legacy. “It’s always been a win or win thing with me,” he says. No plan B. No safety net. Just dreams, drive, and determination. That same fire inspired one of his standout tracks—rooted, unexpectedly, in the suave resilience of James Bond.
“I drew inspiration from him for that song,” he adds. “The will to finish the mission, no matter what.”
Collaboration as Culture
In a world where artists sometimes gatekeep, Zee Flex creates a table and invites others to eat. He's worked with talents like Uzzi King, One Good Girl, and Memories. His biggest single to date, Party Girl with Boi Zico, is a catchy, confident anthem for late-night vibes. He also teamed up with Poun Dic on No Cap—another gem in his growing catalog.
But for all the features and moments, nothing quite compares to making music with his friends. That’s when it feels most real. Most free.
A Mission, Not Just a Mic
Zee Flex doesn’t want to be just another name in the sea of rising Nigerian artists. He wants to speak. Not in interviews or IG captions—but through the music. Through the lyrics that land like conversations. “I want people to feel something,” he says. “Something they can relate to.”
Still, getting that sound to the right ears has been the greatest challenge so far. Not the writing. Not the recording. The reach. “That’s the toughest part,” he admits. “Getting the music to the people who need to hear it.”
But with every verse, every beat, and every performance, that audience gets closer.
Posted by Abdulazeez A Shomade | Published on 2025-04-21 05:26:55