Popular Afrobeats star Zlatan Ibile has shared the inspiration behind his soon-to-be-released third studio album, “Symbol of Hope.” He recently revealed that the album reflects his journey from humble beginnings to success.
Speaking during an interview alongside his son, Shiloh, Zlatan said the title represents the resilience and determination that shaped his rise from hardship to prominence.
According to him, watching people attain success from abject poverty by making use of their talent gave him hope that he could be a living testimony as well.
He stated that those people inspired him enough to grow into the symbol of hope he currently is for others.
“When I was growing up, I used to have people I looked up to. I saw people who made it from nothing to something. They used their talent, they hustled right, and got to the top.
They were symbols that gave me hope. And now, a lot of people look up to me too — including you. I’ve become a symbol of hope to many,” he said.
He further noted that his childhood struggles, including not being able to feed properly, greatly influenced the themes and message of the new album.
Zlatan concluded by saying that his life experience influenced his upcoming album, and he cannot wait for the fans to listen to it.
“When I was young, it was really hard to eat three times a day. The life experience influenced this album. It was like a process. I had to work hard. When others were sleeping, I had to motivate myself and tell myself that I want to be great,” he added.
