Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez has called on creatives to remain grounded, cautioning that not every talent is built to endure the test of time. Despite this, the Chocolate City artist exuded unshakable confidence in his own staying power, declaring that he will remain a fixture in the music industry for as long as he chooses. His remarks, shared via a series of tweets, come laced with a personal anecdote that underscores his resilience and rise above early detractors.
Reflecting on his journey, Blaqbonez recounted a stinging incident from 2017 when a fellow up-and-coming rapper, freshly signed to Olamide’s YBNL Nation, mocked him in a freestyle. The unnamed artist, believed by fans to be Limerick—a former YBNL signee who faded from prominence—name-dropped Blaqbonez, taunting that he’d “never blow.” In his tweets, Blaqbonez fired back: “Because u got a deal before me, you added my name to your freestyles, ‘you no go ever blow like Blaqbonez’, all because Olamide signed you, you thought he was God abi??” He challenged his former peer to reflect on their choices, noting their shared history in rap battle circles: “We were in rap battle groups together for years, but as them sign u, it was time to shit on me, my work ethic & everything cos you saw into the future and knew I was never going to blow up right??”
The rapper, born Emeka Akumefule, used the experience to highlight his triumph over doubt. Since that jab in 2017, Blaqbonez has risen to become one of Nigeria’s most innovative and versatile artists, blending hip-hop with Afrobeats in hits like “Bling” and “Haba.” His debut album, Sex Over Love (2021), and subsequent projects like Young Preacher (2022), have cemented his status, earning him co-signs from giants like Wizkid and Burna Boy. “No be every kind of talent fit last for years,” he tweeted, asserting, “I know who I am, I will be here for as long I want to be, the music I make nobody can make it.”
Blaqbonez also gave a nod to his day-one supporters, distinguishing them from newer fans who discovered him through mainstream successes. “I have fans that have been there since the very beginning, not the ones wey discover me with ‘Bling’ or all that shit, the ones I’m talking about know themselves,” he wrote. This shoutout reflects his gratitude for a loyal base that’s followed him from his underground rap days—where he won Terry Tha Rapman’s Zombie Competition in 2012 and battled in cyphers—to his current chart-topping prominence.
His comments resonate amid Nigeria’s competitive music landscape, where staying relevant is a feat few achieve. While the YBNL signee who mocked him has largely faded from the spotlight, Blaqbonez’s trajectory—marked by consistent releases, genre-blending creativity, and a bold persona—proves his point. From his early mixtapes like Hip-Hop in Blaq to his recent EP Of Many Colors: Orange (2024), he’s shown a knack for evolution that keeps him ahead of the curve, positioning him as a torchbearer for Nigerian rap as noted by The Guardian. For Blaqbonez, this isn’t just bravado—it’s a testament to a work ethic and talent he believes are unmatched, ensuring his voice endures where others falter.
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