American singer Jordan Adetunji has opened up about his decision to retain his Nigerian surname as his stage name, despite facing pressure from industry figures to change it.
In a candid interview on The Dotty Show, the 'Kehlani' hitmaker explained that keeping his surname was a deliberate choice to honor his Nigerian heritage.
"I keep the name [my surname] for a reason. I remember when I first came into the game everyone was telling me you need to change your surname that it doesn't sound like an artist's name. And I was like why can Justin Bieber keep his? I'm a big fan of Justin Bieber," Adetunji revealed.
The singer stood firm in his decision, expressing pride in his Nigerian roots and challenging fans to learn the correct pronunciation of his name rather than expecting him to adopt a more conventional stage name.
"I am proud to be Nigerian, why am I gonna hide it? You've got to learn how to pronounce it," he stated emphatically.
Adetunji's stance highlights a growing trend among diaspora artists who are increasingly embracing their cultural identities rather than conforming to Western industry expectations. His decision resonates particularly with Nigerian audiences who appreciate seeing their culture represented positively on the global stage.
The artist joins a growing list of Nigerian-American entertainers who have maintained their cultural identities while achieving international success, further cementing the global influence of Nigerian culture in the entertainment industry.
Follow BenriNews on social media for more updates: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | WhatsApp | Telegram
