Blaqbonez Remembers Ludacris Reaching Out For Collaboration & ‘Emeka Should Shine’ Album

Afrobeats artist Blaqbonez is greatest identified for his spitfire rhymes and flexibility, all captured inside his totally different personas. On the age of 13, Blaqbonez was already spitting, releasing his first mission known as Hip Hop Is Blaq whereas attending Obafemi Awolowo College. He quickly made a reputation for himself amongst the scholars, which finally transferred to social media. Boasting 1.4 million followers on Instagram alone, Blaqbonez even coined himself as BRIA: Greatest Rapper in Africa.

Three phrases to explain Blaqbonez? Unpredictable, thrilling, and spontaneous. He states, “I’m a rapper, singer, Afrobeats artist. I could make so many alternative sounds. I take into account my music very thrilling. It’s a unique model to it. To me, it’s just a little extra unpredictable.”

Quick ahead to 2023, Blaqbonez returns together with his sophomore album, Emeka Should Shine, solidifying his function as a transformative determine on the planet of Afrobeats. The 14-track mission hails standout appearances from Victony, Ludcaris, Zlatan and extra.

AllHipHop caught up with Blaqbonez throughout his few days in Los Angeles, with Akon personally calling him to carry out with him on the “Grammy Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop” Reside Live performance Particular. Learn beneath as we focus on his roots in Lagos, his new music “Like Ice Spice,” working with Ludacris, and extra!

AllHipHop: Rising up in Lagos, did you ever assume you’d be right here immediately?

Once I was a child, I by no means thought I’d be coming out and in of the U.S steadily like this. Up to now, I’ve been to the U.S 5-6 occasions this yr alone. That may be a lot for somebody like me. Being a child from Nigeria, I neer have thought I’d ever be within the U.S but alone this usually. I’m grateful for the trail I’ve been on and the trajectory of my profession thus far. 

AllHipHop: What do you want about Los Angeles?

Man, I like the surroundings right here. I like that it’s at all times sunny and there are such a lot of palm bushes. I like the hills and the vegetation. I like LA thus far. 

AllHipHop: I’m curious what Lagos appears to be like like.

Lagos is sweet, however Lagos might have had higher metropolis planning. Lagos has nice spots right here and there. Llots of nice individuals and nice issues got here out of Lagos and Nigeria normally, however the planning and structuring out the town might have undoubtedly been higher. 

AllHipHop: How’d you get your identify? 

Comic story, it was my buddy’s identify. He wasn’t utilizing it, so he gave it to me. From then, the identify simply caught with me. 

AllHipHop: You simply launched Emeka Should Shine. What’s one factor you need followers to remove from this mission?

Man, I need this mission to be a part of my followers’ pleased moments. I need it to be a part of the celebrations they’ve of their lives. If you go to the membership and listen to my music, I need you to have a very good time. Throughout your thrilling week or celebrating one thing, I need my album to be a part of your good occasions. That’s what this album is for me. That’s the takeaway. 

AllHipHop: I used to be listening to “Like Ice Spice.” Has she heard it? 

Blaqbonez: I’m certain she has and I hope she appreciated it. The music is devoted to her lovely self. 

AllHipHop: What do you want about Ice Spice?

Blaqbonez: She’s so horny. When she did the “Munch” video, I appreciated the best way she would go down and shake her ass. “Like Ice Spice” is a tribute to her and the way Ice strikes. 

AllHipHop: Let’s discuss what it was like linking up with Zlatan on “Dangerous Until Eternity.”

Blaqbonez: This music is certainly for the tradition man. It was good linking up with my bro Zlatan. We’ve identified one another from means means means again, so once we met up we determined to make a music to honor the late artist MohBad. His loss of life actually hit plenty of us within the recreation, so it was good doing this with Zlatan for his tribute. 

AllHipHop: Let’s discuss getting that decision to carry out with Akon in Los Angeles for a pre-Grammys occasion.

Blaqbonez: Yeah man I simply received a name and so they stated Akon wished to convey me out for a grammys tribute live performance. After my mouth dropped, I stated “say much less I’m there!” It was thrilling once I received that decision, as a result of I used to be shocked Akon knew who I used to be. Akon personally wanting me to carry out with him is likely one of the spotlight moments for me this yr. I’m enthusiastic about it and might’t await you all to see it. 

AllHipHop: What’s you guys’ relationship like?

Blaqbonez: Me and Akon? He’s f#### with what I’m doing and the music I’m making. I like that. I at all times seemed as much as him rising up, so now that I get to really work with him I’m thrilled and blessed. I can’t wait for everybody to see the GRAMMY Salute To 50 Years Of Hip-Hop” Reside Live performance Particular.

AllHipHop: How’d you find yourself working with Ludacris?

Blaqbonez: I do classes with different artists a lot. It at all times occurs so simply and organically. With Luda, his staff reached out to my staff that Ludacris would like to make an Afrobeat music with me. From there, they flew me out to Ghana the place he was doing a session camp. That’s the place we made “Cinderella Lady.” Having him do a verse for that music was every little thing! 

AllHipHop: 3 stuff you want within the studio always?

Blaqbonez: My cellphone, weed, and a drink…normally it’s water. These are my necessities within the studio. 

AllHipHop: Greatest encounter you have got with a fan?

Blaqbonez: There’s so many. I like my followers and each time I meet them it’s an thrilling second. I actually ensure that to offer them that point, as a result of they’re those actually pushing me to proceed this. 

AllHipHop: What do you love to do if you’re not working?

Blaqbonez: Proper now, I’m attempting to determine that out, as a result of I’m at all times working and I like working. Nonetheless, when I’m not working, I prefer to Netflix and chill. I additionally love gaming with pals. I hardly ever exit until I’ve to. 

AllHipHop: Anything you’re excited for?

Blaqbonez: So many thrilling issues are arising. My staff and I are attempting to arrange a tour to proceed pushing the album. I’m engaged on a number of extra collaborations and options that can come out subsequent yr. I’m actually simply having fun with this experience. I’m grateful for my staff, my followers, and that this album is lastly out. I actually hope the world enjoys it. 

AllHipHop: Objectives your self as an artist at this level of your profession?

Blaqbonez: My objective proper now could be to have a music within the Billboard Sizzling 100. That’d be good. Long run objective is to get a Grammy since they lastly created an Afrobeats class. I can’t wait to see what’s to come back.