Raheem Okoya, the 22-year-old son of billionaire industrialist Rasaq Okoya, has stressed that his music and business achievements are the result of his own efforts, not simply his father’s fortune.
Speaking in an Instagram-shared interview with BBC News Yoruba on Tuesday, Okoya sought to dispel assumptions that his corporate role and lifestyle were handed to him because of his family name.
“I work. I have a salary that I earn. I have investors. People believe in my music. They put money behind it,” he said.
Okoya, who leads Eleganza Industries as Executive Director while pursuing a music career, revealed that his father, a self-made entrepreneur, intentionally instilled the importance of hard work and self-sufficiency in his children.
“My dad wasn’t born rich. He tries to instil those values in his kids. He wants his kids to also be able to work and build a fortune rather than just spend and destroy,” he explained.
He emphasized that his current corporate role was not sudden, but the culmination of years of preparation.
“I’ve been learning this position my whole life. From when I was in school, I’ve been shadowing my dad. It’s not an overnight thing. It’s been 10 years in the making,” Okoya said.
Acknowledging the challenges of youth, he admitted that his age often brings added scrutiny.
“It’s definitely challenging. It’s a heavy responsibility. People already look at you. You’re young. They already want to doubt you. You always have to prove that you know what you’re talking about,” he noted.
Growing up in Isale Eko, Okoya credited his household’s musical environment for shaping both his sound and ambition, highlighting Fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, also known as K1 De Ultimate, as a constant influence.
“K1 is a legend. He used to ring in the corridors of my house,” he said.
Beyond professional and musical pursuits, Okoya said earning his father’s admiration remains his deepest motivation.
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“I love my dad so much. He’s my number one hero, my mentor. I just hope I can really, really make him proud one day,” he said.
He also expressed frustration with media portrayals of him, accusing some outlets of deliberately distorting his image.
“I don’t like fake news. I hate fake news. It cuts in my head. The media likes to put me up as a villain. They know what gets people riled up and moving. It’s not always the truth,” he said.
“They will take a little thing or completely change the narrative and perspective on me. It’s not nice. It’s painful.”