Kizz Daniel: I was body-shamed as a child… it affected my social skills

Kizz Daniel, the Nigerian singer, has opened up about the childhood struggles that affected his social skills. 

In a recent chat with Adesope on the Afrobeats podcast, the singer said he was mocked and bullied as a child for being overweight.

Daniel, born Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, said he was called “orobo”, a term used to describe a chubby person.

The singer said he stayed indoors for a while to avoid bullies.

Daniel added that he lost all forms of social skills upon “reintroducing myself to the world after I lost weight”.

“I have built a world of my own in my head since I was little. Because growing up, I was a fat kid. I was chubby. So, I do not go out because the kids in the area make fun of me. They called me orobo. And they bullied me. So I always stay indoors,” he said.

“During that time that I always stayed indoors, I had already built this fantasy world in my head. In the world that I have built in my head, I am very comfortable in that space.

“So, I reintroduced myself to the world after I lost weight; I lost all forms of social skills. I do not know how to communicate. I do not know how to socialise with people.”

Daniel rose to prominence in 2015 with the release of his single titled ‘Woju’.

He signed a record deal with G-Worldwide Entertainment in 2013 but left the label following a contract dispute and court case.

Daniel later established Flyboy Inc, his record label, in November 2017, but recently stepped down as the CEO.

He signed Emperor Geezy, his ex-label boss, as Flyboy Inc’s head honcho.

The singer has also received several awards and recognition for his craft.