Nigerian singer Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, better known by his stage name Bella Shmurda, is a prime example of how there are numerous paths to success in life.
The 25-year-old singer, who was up in the Lagos suburb of Okokomaiko, battled to become well-known throughout the world despite the constraints of the middle class and the lifestyle that his hometown of Ojo-Lagos offers.
The road to greatness is not a one-way street, and life really does not come with a manual.
Parents create a life plan for their newborn and use it to direct their child’s jealousy from infancy to maturity. It doesn’t always work that way, as demonstrated by the lives of several people who didn’t follow the typical path to greatness that is widely accepted.
These individuals dared the status quo. They pursued their goals in life in unique ways and ascended the ladder to greatness in distinct ways.
While many jumped out of line and become lessons rather than blessings, few selected persons were lucky that fortune smiled on them in their chosen template. And the story of Bella Shmurda is not different.
In an interview with Pulse, Bella Shmurda revealed how he fled tailoring school as an apprentice when asked whether he had a secret that he hasn’t revealed to anyone.
“I used to be a tailor. When I finished my secondary school my mum put me in a tailoring school but I ran away. I used to be a fashionista. I can cut (fabrics for sewing) as well” – Bella Shmurda in an interview with PULSE.
The graduate of History and International Relations from the prestigious Lagos State University was a low-key singer until he released his debut single, Vision 2020, in 2018.
According to reports, this was the single that attracted popular dancer, Pocolee and linked up Bella Shmurda with music star, Olamide.
The popular rapper and founder of YBNL records, Olamide appeared as a featured artist on the remix of Vision 2020 produced by Music producer, ID Cabasa which received global attention and was widely accepted by fans.
This acceptance was a major breakthrough for Bella Shmurda. The song, CASH APP which was a hit in 2020 after he featured Zlatan Ibile, another music star also contributed to his career growth.
Bella Shmurda released several singles and later embarked on a project, High Tension. The EP is a 7-track project composed of the following singles: Ginger Me, Omnipotent, Liquor, Sho Mo Mi, Amope, Upgrade and Vision 2020.
We also gathered that he contributed to the creation of Carpie Diem and A Better Time Albums by Olamide and Davido, respectively. He was featured on Triumphant (by Olamide) and Fade Away (by Davido).
Bella Shmurda in 2021 thrilled his fans to hit songs such as Rush, World, Party Next Door (PND), and So Cold. He began work on his sophomore project, High Tension 2.0 and released it on the 7th Of July, 2021.
His second EP is an 8-track project composed of the following singles: Out There, Champion, World, Soldier Go, Far Away, Lako, Rush and Party Next Door
He performed for the first time at The 02 Arena in Wizkid‘s show, held in November 2021.
Bella Shmurda released the single, My Friends in 2022. The video of the single, which was shot and directed by Visuals by Jubreel, was released on the 23rd Of February 2022.
Barely two months, the run-away apprentice and native of Okokomaiko, Ojo-Lagos shocked many fans and well wishers by releasing another hit song titled ‘New Born Fela’.
Bella Shmurda introduced a different pitch and dimension to his craft. He refreshed our memories and appealed to our senses by creating wonderful acts that are known as Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s trademarks.
Coincidentally, Fela Anikulapo Kuti died in August, 1997 and Bella Shmurda was born in January, 1997. It would have been easier to conclude that Fela Anikulapo Kuti came back to life in Bella Shmurda’s form without the 7-month gap.
Yet one can easily posit that the Bella Shmurda is possessed by spirit of Afrobeats legend, Fela Anikulapo. As Shmurda calls himself New Born Fela, Story teller and battery charger, would he be able to wear Fela’s shoes?
Fela Anikulapo was not just a singer, he was a militant and activist who used his music to criticise and correct wrongs in the society. He was assaulted, molested, battered and jailed. He was a great representation of the people. Bella Shmurda, the New Born Fela – the time is now.
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