Award-winning Nigerian singer Kingsley Okonkwo, popularly known as Kcee, has opened up on the emotional pressure he faced when his former partner, Presh, first suggested they pursue solo careers.
Speaking in a recent interview with Yanga FM Lagos, Kcee clarified that the breakup was not triggered by conflict, external influence, or industry politics. Instead, he said the decision emerged naturally from their creative differences.
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“KC Presh’s breakup wasn’t due to any disagreement. We didn’t have issues, and it wasn’t because my brother wanted to open a record label,” he explained. “We were doing different kinds of sounds. Presh was more R&B, and I do Afropop.”
According to him, Presh initiated the idea of going solo, a proposal that left him under significant pressure due to public perception at the time.
“I accepted the idea, but I was under pressure because he has a better voice than me. People were praising him, saying he was the one holding the group together. The majority of our fans supported him because they felt he was the better singer,” Kcee revealed.
While acknowledging Presh’s vocal strength, the “Limpopo” crooner noted that many fans were unaware of the heavy lifting he handled behind the scenes.
“They don’t know the work that goes on behind the scenes. I was the one doing most of the work,” he said.
Kcee added that the split eventually became a turning point in his career, pushing him to work harder and deliver the string of hit songs that later defined his solo journey.
He also disclosed that he once reached out to Presh, inviting him to join his record label, 5ive Music. However, Presh reportedly declined due to lingering resentment over how their breakup unfolded.
KC Presh rose to national fame after winning the Star Quest talent competition in 2002. The duo went on to release three albums before parting ways in the 2010s
