If you ask a lot of artists when they realised they wanted to make music, they usually answer that they had always known, that it was the ultimate goal, the dream they coddled and nurtured, pining for the day the world would declare them superstars, but CupidSZN is different.  Even though he’s primed to grow into one of the emerging voices with the potential to usher in a new Afropop era, music wasn’t his first passion. “Football was my first love,” he says.  “I didn’t think or ever dream I would do music while growing up. It wasn’t something I had at the top of my head.”

His ambition changed on a random day in 2018. While watching music videos for entertainment, he stumbled upon a Juice WRLD song that changed the trajectory of his life. “His melodies and different approach to trap music made me want to do what he was doing, and that motivated me to start recording myself,” he shares. That moment would prove pivotal in shaping the journey of the 21-year-old artist, whose career is just beginning to take shape in public perception since he was only unveiled by Mavins Records a few weeks ago. 

Unbeknownst to them, it had taken years of sacrifices like defying the laid-out educational guidelines of a typical Nigerian kid to attain a university degree before pursuing a creative career, which, of course, was initially met with a bit of resistance from his parents, who eventually became his bedrock.  “I had fear of the unknown, but I knew I had this sense of purpose,” he says. “I told my parents I wanted to do music full-time, but I also had to work to show them I was serious. The results I was getting were proof. My parents supported me 100%.”

The support of his parents made them decide to give up the normalcy of their life in Port Harcourt to help CupidSZN achieve his dream of becoming a superstar in Lagos, the tumultuous hub that continues to mould global creativity. Since his move, things have fallen in place, one step after the other, circumstances pushing him closer to his ambition of superstardom. 

In 2023,  a cover of “Jaga Jaga” by Victony and Babyboy AV that CupidSZN shared on TikTok went viral, earning him recognition from Ozedikus,  the revered music producer admired for his collaborations with emerging artists. Cupid’s eyes brighten, and his smile widens as he recounts the events leading up to his Ozedikus collab, “Ifeoma,” currently sitting at over 20 million Spotify streams. “He reached out to me and said, ‘Yo kid, you are fire, let’s work,’” he starts,  “In my head, I was like, ‘It’s Ozedikus, Ozedikus Nwanne.’” But his initial excitement was short-lived after recording over the 16 beats Ozedikus sent him and not getting a single piece of feedback. “I thought he did not like any of the songs because he kept saying he was busy.”

The outcome didn’t deter him in any way, and he remained steadfast in his goals, independently releasing his first single, “Finito.” A reconnection with Ozedikus weeks after releasing his debut single birthed their first collaboration.“I saw he posted a beat on TikTok, I liked it and recorded over it to get his attention again,” he explains. “I believed so much in the song that I had my people leak it on WhatsApp because it wasn’t proper to promote a cover immediately after my first single.  The song did crazy numbers on TikTok, and we decided to release it. Ever since, we’ve had a very amazing relationship; he’s like a big brother and mentor.”

When Ozedikus called him last year to inquire why he hadn’t responded to his DMs from Vaedar, a Mavin A&R, he was so astonished at the content of the message that he had misunderstood the most important part. “Vaedar said they were curious about my craft and wanted to meet,” he recounts. “At first, I thought they wanted me to write for someone on the label, but then it clicked when I sat in a room with Tega, Rima and the entire team that they were offering me a spot in the Mavin family.”

That opportunity became the turning point, offering a chance to benefit from the institutional framework of the famed Mavin Academy.  “ It’s a big switch working with a whole team, not just writing alone, but collaborating, learning patience and character,” he says. “The process has taught me a lot about my craft and who I am, and I’ve learned from people who’ve already been in the industry.”

‘MYTH- ERA’  is the result of a year-long training process that prepared him for the world of celebrity and long-term artistry.  Across five tracks, CupidSZN melliflously glides on the Afro-pop records meticulously selected to mark his introduction. “From the second you press play, it’s meant to make you move and take your mind off your problems,” CupidSZN says of his debut.“That’s the essence I wanted to capture with it.”

He was mostly tense while making  “Tuka Tuka,” because it was the first recorded song after joining Mavin Records,  and he didn’t want to falter. However, he shared an incredible synergy with the producer, Prestige, making the song dear to his heart. “I really love ‘Tuka Tuka‘ because it’s a perfect Afropop song, and I spoke about a love interest the Nigerian way,” he explains. “’Tuka Tuka‘ means don’t go back and forth. If you want me, say it. It’s relatable.”

Another song,“Otula,” is the result of a song recorded to outdo expectations on the Rage-produced beat that was previously shared with Rema before Cupid landed it. ”Throughout ‘MYTH- ERA,’ CupidSZN was keen  on tilting away from his usual mid-tempo approach, tapping into an explosive bounce on the vociferous “Zesty Money,” produced by his friend Kamal Momoh, whom he previously worked with on songs like “I Want More” and  “Service.”  

Ever perceptive of the sacrifices that have brought him to his present position, “Famous” is the culmination of CupidSZN’s journey so far, and he expresses gratitude for the circumstances and people that have catalysed his career from his independent era up until ‘MYTH-ERA.’ Still, he’s eager to enjoy the moment while dealing with the pressure of a new beginning. “I want to make my mark in the industry with this newfound opportunity and put my footprint on the wall.”