Bella Shmurda Explained

Bella Shmurda
Birth Name:Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi
Birth Date:1996 1, df=yes
Birth Place:Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria
Years Active:2017present
Label:Dangbana Republik
Associated Acts:Olamide

Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi (born 27 January 1996), known professionally as Bella Shmurda,[1] [2] is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[3] [4] He rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of the song "Vision 2020", and a follow-up remix which featured Olamide.[5] [6] He is also the leader of Dangbana Republik; a collective of creatives in Lagos providing community and humanitarian contributions.[7]

Early life and career

Bella Shmurda hails from a polygamous family in Ikorodu and is the last child from a family of 10 children. His journey in arts began in his early days through being a part of his elementary school band and cultural dance troupe. He had his early days in Ikorodu, proceeded to have his secondary school studies in Badagry, and earned a bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University.[8]

He gained public attention after his debut single "Vision 2020", caught the interest of Nigerian rapper Olamide who did a follow-up remix of the song.[9] Poco Lee, who is a dancer and close friend to Bella Shmurda made a video with the song which made it viral and earned the interest of Olamide who invited the latter over to his studio for a remix. The support Bella Shmurda got encouraged him to release his first EP "High Tension" in January 2020.[10]

He released several other songs in 2020 that emphasized his art in afrobeats, one of which he featured rapper Zlatan, titled "Cash App".[11] In 2020, he was nominated for the Next Rated Award at The Headies 2020.[12] He won the awards "Next Rated Male" and "Street Music of the Year" at the City People Entertainment Awards, and was also nominated for the "Revelation of the Year" Award Category in 2020.[13]

In 2021, at the Global Music Awards Africa which held virtually in Ghana, he won two award categories, Global Collaboration of the Year and Global Most Popular Song of the Year.[14]

Also in 2021, he was the only Nigerian beneficiary among twenty-seven acts, across fourteen countries who were inducted into the YouTube Foundry Programme facilitated annually by YouTube Music[15] to access and leverage resources aimed at artistes development to launch their music to a wider reach globally, create greater impact and promote a broad spectrum of musical heritage.[16]

Following his breakout in the Afrobeat music industry in 2021, Bella Shmurda got featured in an Episode on the African music interview series "This is Africa" facilitated by BBC.[17] Also, in 2021, Bella Shmurda was nominated for the "Next Rated" award at the Headies Awards.[18] In June 2021, his single, "Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln was nominated for "Most Played Song - Street Pop" at the NET Honours.[19]

Bella Shmurda made his debut performance at The O2 Arena in the United Kingdom, as a guest performer at Wizkid's, Made in Lagos Concert in November 2021.[20] [21]

By March 2023, he released his first single of the year, "Ara (Gen Gen Tin)" after his album project rollout.[22] His single "Philo" which featured Omah Lay was released off his debut album "Hypertension" in October 2022 and has received some attention globally causing South African rapper Nasty C make a remix of the song which dropped in March 2023.[23] For his third release of the year, he collaborated with Tiwa Savage on a single titled "NSV" which dropped in May 2023 and was produced by Krizbeatz.[24]

Philanthropy through Dangbana Republik

In October 2021, Bella Shmurda reacted to a viral video of a pre-schooler performing a song by Olamide and himself titled “Triumphant” off Olamide's “Carpe Diem” Album, by choosing to sponsor the kid with an elementary school scholarship. This scholarship came into effect in November 2021.[25]

Also on his birthday in January 2022, he declared that through his collective, he would begin a program to feed a thousand destitute persons in the Ojo community where he grew up every year his birthday.[26]

Discography

EPs and Album

!Year!Title!Tracks
2020High Tension (EP)[27] [28]
  1. Ginger Me (Intro)
  2. Omnipotent
  3. Liquor
  4. Sho mo mi
  5. Amope
  6. Vision 2020
  7. Upgrade
2021High Tension 2.0 (EP)[29] [30] [31]
  1. Out There
  2. World
  3. Soldier Go
  4. Far Away
  5. Lako
  6. Rush
  7. Party Next Door
  8. Champion
2022Hypertension (Album)[32] [33]
  1. New Born Fela
  2. Ase
  3. Contraband
  4. Lose It ft. Simi
  5. Oh Oh Oh
  6. Converse ft. Phyno
  7. Fire
  8. Lagos City
  9. Level Up
  10. Philo ft Omah Lay
  11. Nakupenda ft BackRoad Gee,Not3s,L.A.X
  12. No Other ft. Victony
  13. Man of the Year
  14. Addicted
  15. So Cold ft. Popcaan
2023DND (EP)[34]
2024R2 Sept 12 (EP)[35] [36]

Singles

!Year!Song Title!Producer!Album
2019 Vision 2020ID Cabasa
2019 Upgrade
2019 Only YouBYLinx
2020 OmnipotentSaint Khor High Tension EP
2020 Sho Mo Mi High Tension EP
2020 Dangbana Orisa[37] Rexxie
2020 Cash AppDopestiks
2021 RushLarryLanes High Tension 2.0 EP
2021 WorldSB the Producer High Tension 2.0 EP
2021 So Cold ft. Popcaan[38] Linton White Hypertension (Album)
2021 No Caution ft. Seyi VibezLarryLanes
2021 Party Next DoorVibez Ace
2022 My FriendNiphkeys
2022 Many ThingsFancybeats
2022 Fvck OffNiphkeys & LarryLanes
2022 New Born FelaFancybeats Hypertension (Album)
2022 Philo ft. Omah Lay[39] Krizbeatz Hypertension (Album)
2023 Philo Remix ft. Nasty C[40] Krizbeatz
2023 NSV ft. Tiwa Savage[41] Krizbeatz
2024Loner[42]
2024Evidence/Holy Man[43] [44]
20241999 ft Bloody Civilian[45] BYLINX & PBeatzR2 Sept 12 (EP)

Featured In

YearTitleProducerAlbum
2020"Triumphant" (featuring Olamide)[46] [47] Carpe Diem
"Fade Away" (featuring Davido)A Better Time
2021"Jackpot" (featuring Crayon)[48] Twelve A.M
"Back 2 Back" (featuring Rexxie)[49]
2023"DOG EAT DOG II" (Odumodublvck featuring Cruel Santino, and Bella Shmurda)

Awards and nominations

!Year!Event!Category!Nomination!Result!Ref
2020City People Entertainment AwardsRevelation of the Year"Self" [50]
Next Rated (Male)"Self"
Street Music of the Year"Cash App"
The HeadiesNext Rated"Self"[51]
2021Net HonoursMost Played Street Hop Song"Cash App" [52]
AFRIMMABest Collaboration"Cash App" [53]
Gbedu Music AwardsArtiste of the Year"Self" [54]
The Headies Next Rated"Self"[55]
2022The HeadiesBest Street Hop Artiste"Self"[56]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BELLA SHMURDA- THE BUILDUP TO HIGH TENSION. 17 November 2021. Guardian. 11 July 2021. en.
  2. Web site: Sare. Watimagbo. 2022-10-02. Bella Shmurda's Mom Says A Prayer For Him On His 25th Birthday . 2022-10-02. YouTube.com.
  3. Web site: I was enrolled into Tailoring - Bella Shmurda. 7 October 2021. Vanguard. 28 July 2021. en.
  4. Web site: 9 July 2021. Bella Shmurda serves new sophomore EP, 'High tension2.0'. 25 September 2021. Daily Trust. en.
  5. Web site: Olowolagba . Fikayo . I don't regret dumping LASU for music - Bella Shmurda . Daily Post Nigeria . 26 January 2022.
  6. Web site: Mudasiru . Wisdom . 9 Times An Olamide Assist Propelled A Rising Star . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . 16 January 2023.
  7. Web site: Bella Shmurda explores humanitarian side with Dagbana Republik . The Nation . 12 April 2023.
  8. Web site: Editor . Guest . PAUSE MEETS: Bella Shmurda . PAUSE Online Men's Fashion, Street Style, Fashion News & Streetwear . 14 March 2022.
  9. Web site: Alake . Olumide . "Anything good takes time": Bella Shmurda on how he started making music at 13 . Legit.ng - Nigeria news. . en . 8 January 2023.
  10. Web site: Bella Shmurda's Rise to Fame Is What Dreams Are Made Of - OkayAfrica . www.okayafrica.com . en.
  11. Web site: Okundia. Jennifer. 18 December 2020. Watch "Cash App" visual by Bella Shmurda featuring Zlatan, Lincoln. 26 March 2021. P.M. News. en-US.
  12. Web site: Alake . Motolani . Fireboy, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido lead 2020 Headies nominations [Pulse Exclusive] ]. Pulse Nigeria . en . 4 December 2020.
  13. Web site: WINNERS EMERGE AT 2020 CITY PEOPLE MUSIC AWARDS [FULL LIST]]. 7 December 2020.
  14. Web site: Global Music Awards Africa 2021: All the winners . Music In Africa . en . 23 March 2021.
  15. Web site: Aswad . Jem . YouTube Music Unveils Its Indie Class of 2021: Snail Mail, Sinead Harnett, Ambar Lucid, Many More . Variety . 27 July 2021.
  16. Web site: Bella Shmurda, 26 others make list of YouTube Foundry grant . Punch Newspapers . 27 July 2021.
  17. Web site: BBC World Service - This Is Africa, SKORP and Bella Shmurda . BBC.
  18. Web site: Headies 2021: All the winners. 22 February 2021.
  19. Web site: NET Honours Class of 2021.
  20. Web site: 30 November 2021. Bella Shmurda performs at 02 Arena for the first time, thanks Wizkid. 4 February 2022. PunchNG. en-US.
  21. Web site: Bella Shmurda, Blaqbonez headline day 2 of wizkid's O2 Arena concert . TheCable Lifestyle . 30 November 2021.
  22. Web site: Quayyim . Adedimeji . Bella Shmurda Elicits Hope and Good Living In New Single, "Ara (Gen Gen Tin)" . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . 14 March 2023.
  23. Web site: Bella Shmurda taps South Africa's Nasty C to re-jig Philo . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 18 March 2023.
  24. Web site: Listen: Bella Shmurda & Tiwa Savage Want You to Have a "Non-Stop Vibe" This Weekend - OkayAfrica . www.okayafrica.com . en.
  25. Web site: 26 October 2021. Singer Bella Shmurda gives boy who performed song scholarship. 17 November 2021. The Nation. en-US.
  26. Web site: 27 January 2022. Singer Bella Shmurda recounts birth experience on birthday. 4 February 2022. PunchNG. en-US.
  27. Web site: Bella Shmurda drops High Tension EP - P.M. News .
  28. Web site: Alake . Motolani . Bella Shmurda uses 'High Tension' to find positivity in '2020' [EP Review] ]. Pulse Nigeria . en . 6 February 2020.
  29. Web site: Bella Shmurda drops sophomore EP 'High Tension 2.0' - P.M. News .
  30. Web site: Listen: Bella Shmurda Releases His Sophomore EP 'High Tension 2.0' . The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News . 9 July 2021.
  31. Web site: Onabanjo . Adedamola . It's A New Dawn For Bella Shmurda with 'High Tension 2.0' EP . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . 9 July 2021.
  32. Web site: Adebiyi . Adeayo . Bella Shmurda drops debut album 'Hypertension' . Pulse Nigeria . en . 26 October 2022.
  33. Web site: Bella Shmurda Releases 'Hypertension' Album - OkayAfrica . www.okayafrica.com . en.
  34. Web site: Omotoso . Idris . 2023-07-26 . Bella Shmurda Doesn’t Want To Be Disturbed On Glorious New Ep ‘DND’ — . 2024-06-17 . Soundcity . en-US.
  35. Web site: BellaNaija.com . 2024-04-26 . Bella Shmurda Honours Mohbad’s Memory with New EP “R2 Sept 12” . 2024-06-17 . BellaNaija . en-US.
  36. Web site: Adebiyi . Adeayo . 2024-05-02 . Bella Shmurda explores the pain of loss on 'R2 Sept 12' EP [Review] ]. 2024-06-17 . Pulse Nigeria . en.
  37. Web site: Bella Shmurda comes through with 'Dangbana Orisa' - P.M. News .
  38. Web site: Onabanjo . Adedamola . Bella Shmurda And Popcaan Are An Unlikely But Agreeable Tag Team On 'So Cold' . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . 27 August 2021.
  39. Web site: WATCH: Bella Shmurda, Omah Lay combine for 'Philo' visuals . TheCable Lifestyle . 29 September 2022.
  40. Web site: Adebiyi . Adeayo . Bella Shmurda heats things with the 'Philo' remix featuring Nasty C . Pulse Nigeria . en . 17 March 2023.
  41. Web site: Bella Shmurda ft Tiwa Savage drops new song 'NSV' - P.M. News .
  42. Web site: Oyeleke . Damilola . 2024-03-15 . Bella Shmurda’s “Loner" Is An Exploration Of Grief The Culture Custodian . 2024-06-17 . The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.) . en-GB.
  43. Web site: Nigeria . Guardian . 2024-04-13 . 1da Banton, Bella Shmurda unite for evidence, Holy Man . 2024-06-17 . Guardian Nigeria News . en-GB.
  44. Web site: BellaNaija.com . 2024-04-05 . 1da Banton and Bella Shmurda Serve Double Dose of Music with “Holy Man” & “Evidence” . 2024-06-17 . BellaNaija . en-US.
  45. Web site: Saltzberg . Jacob . 2024-06-16 . Bella Shmurda shares invigorating single "1999" (feat. Bloody Civilian) . 2024-06-17 . EARMILK . en-US.
  46. Web site: 2 November 2020. Olamide releases new video for 'Triumphant' with Bella Shmurda. 26 March 2021. Pulse Nigeria. en-US.
  47. Web site: Watch: Olamide Features Bella Shmurda in "Triumphant" Music Video. 26 March 2021. guardian.ng. 2 November 2020.
  48. Web site: Onabanjo. Adedamola. 19 March 2021. Crayon Fuses The Streets on the Bella Shmurda assisted 'Jackpot'. 16 June 2021. The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014). en-US.
  49. Web site: 8 April 2021. Rexxie And Bella Shmurda Joins Forces On "Back2Back". 10 July 2021. UrbanGist Media.
  50. Web site: Winners emerge at 2020 City People music awards. Citypeopleonline.com. 7 December 2020.
  51. Web site: Here is the full list of nominations for the 2020 Headies. UrbanGist Media. 4 December 2020. 15 February 2021.
  52. Web site: Mofijesusewa. Samuel. 20 June 2021. NET Honours 2021: "Damages" by Tems Named Most Played Alternative Song. live. 21 July 2021. Nigerian Entertainment Today. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621172630/https://thenet.ng/net-honours-2021-damages-by-tems-named-most-played-alternative-song/ . 21 June 2021 .
  53. Web site: AFRIMMA Nominees 2021. AFRIMMA. 7 October 2021. 8 October 2021.
  54. Web site: Bella Shmurda - Gbedu Awards 2021 Performance. amebo9ja. 7 March 2021. 17 November 2021.
  55. Web site: Silas . Don . 14th Headies award: All you need to know about Davido, Fireboy, Burna Boy, other nominations . Daily Post Nigeria . 21 February 2021.
  56. Web site: Acho . Affa . 2022 Headies Awards: Wizkid, Tems,Others Lead Nominees List . 29 July 2022.