Nigerian rapper CDQ has opened up about his decision to quit a stable banking career to pursue music full-time, stating that he was never truly fulfilled working in finance. Speaking on the Echo Room podcast, the ‘Nowo Soke’ hitmaker shared emotional details of how he left everything behind to chase his passion.
According to CDQ, he entered the banking world to honor his late father’s dream. However, he found himself more focused on songwriting during office hours than on his actual job. “I was writing lyrics instead of working. That’s when I knew banking wasn’t for me,” he said.
The rapper revealed he used to borrow suits from his friend, producer Masterkraft, just to look professional at the bank. When he finally decided to quit, it shocked everyone—including Masterkraft himself.
“I couldn’t tell my mother or family at first. I just left home and moved in with Masterkraft at the studio. I told him I’d rather make music with no guarantee of success than do something I hate,” CDQ said.
He recalled telling Masterkraft they would see a breakthrough within six months—and they did. Not long after, the pair landed a music deal and moved out of the ghetto into the upscale area of Lekki, Lagos.
CDQ rose to stardom in 2016 after the release of his breakout track “Indomie” featuring Masterkraft and Olamide. A subsequent remix featuring Davido solidified his place in the Nigerian music industry.
Today, the rapper is regarded as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous rap artists. His bold career switch has inspired many young Nigerians to follow their passion—even in the face of uncertainty.
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