BLAQBONEZ IS SHAPING NIGERIAN HIP HOP IN NEW ALBUM [@BLAQBONEZ]

Blaqbonez, the Lagos-based artist loved for his eccentric personality and ability to adopt countless personas has dropped his new album ‘EMEKA MUST SHINE’, a chunky, 14-track project with an exceptional lineup of stars including Black Sherif, Victony, Odumodublvck, and US rap legend Ludacris closing off the album with ‘CINDERELLA GIRL(WHERE YOU DEY)’.

We caught up with Blaqbonez a few minutes before his listening party performance at Stratford’s Cococure Haus, The Home Of Afrobeats, for a short and sweet interview to speak on his global recognition, the exciting fusion of Afrobeats and Rap, and the role he plays in shaping Nigerian Hip Hop.

Bethel: The album touches on your determination to carry Nigerian hip-hop forward. What message can we take from this sense of purpose?

Blaqbonez: It’s not really like I’m determined to carry Nigerian Hip Hop. I’m fighting for the opportunity to do what I love on the big stage. As a result, it has carried Hip Hop in everything that I do, in pursuit of greatness.

Bethel: What excites you most about the Afrobeats and Rap fusion?

Blaqbonez: It’s beautiful, it’s heavy, it’s authoritative. It’s so much more, you know? I’m excited about how far I can get.

Bethel: Your journey has seen you charting in many countries. How do you handle this global recognition?

Blaqbonez: I have big goals so not so many things excite me; all these things are nice. I’m grateful to God because I’m not carried away, I’m not moved. I have way bigger growth.

Bethel: Unfazed?

Blaqbonez: Unfazed

Bethel: How did the collaboration with Ludacris come about?

Blaqbonez: His team reached out to me and said that he would love to work with me. Just the next day they flew me out to Ghana, where he was at.

Bethel: As an artist who champions speaking your truth, how has this commitment shaped your identity?

Blaqbonez: I think it’s the other way round. I’m just myself and that kind of reflects as the other thing.

Bethel: The album’s title, ‘EMEKA MUST SHINE’, is a powerful narrative.

Blaqbonez: ‘EMEKA MUST SHINE’ is a declaration, you know? If you put words, your affirmation into your life and say things that shape your world… ‘EMEKA MUST SHINE’ means I must shine because that’s my name.

Dripping like ice, and we on sight, Emeka must shine, kele must whine…

‘LIKE ICE SPICE’ Lyrics

You can stream his full album below and discover more from GUAP’s Music section here!