Zlatan Ibile has once again proven that his success didn’t happen overnight. The award-winning rapper opened up about his humble beginnings in a candid moment during a livestream with Shank Comics, revealing that he once used his prize car to carry passengers just to survive.

Zlatan Ibile shares motivational story during livestream

According to Zlatan, after winning the car back in his university days, life didn’t immediately get easier. “I had a car, but nothing to eat,” he recalled with a laugh that couldn’t quite hide the memory’s sting. “So I started driving people from Abeokuta to Shagamu. It was what I had to do.”

The clip quickly made waves online, with fans flooding social media to praise his transparency and work ethic. Many said it made them see the artist beyond the fame  as a symbol of perseverance and street-smart resilience.

Zlatan also spoke about how those difficult experiences shaped his lyrics and perspective. “Most of my songs come from real-life struggles,” he said. “When you’ve hustled like that, you don’t take anything for granted.”

The rapper’s story has resonated deeply across Nigeria’s music community, inspiring young creatives to stay focused no matter their current situation. From long road trips between  Abeokuta and Shagamu to sold-out shows and global collaborations, Zlatan’s journey feels like a living testimony of how passion can transform pain into purpose.

To many, the story isn’t just about survival on the contrary, it’s a reminder that even when you’re at the bottom, your drive can still take you somewhere great.