Hip-Hop Community Lost Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido to Afrobeats – Rapper, Illbliss

Veteran Nigerian rapper, Tobechukwu Ejiofor, popularly known as Illbliss, has expressed regret over the shift of music icons Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido from rap to Afrobeats. In a recent interview with Radio Now 95.3 FM, Illbliss discussed how these artists, who began their careers as rappers, eventually transitioned to Afrobeats, a move that catapulted them to global stardom.

Illbliss reminisced about a time when rap music was flourishing in Nigeria, with promising talents like Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido contributing to the genre. However, he noted that their switch to singing, particularly within the Afrobeats genre, played a significant role in their rise to international fame.

He acknowledged the challenges faced by hip-hop artists in Nigeria, admitting that the genre is not as commercially viable as others. Illbliss highlighted that only a few rappers, including himself, have managed to achieve financial success in the industry.

“We, the Hip-Hop community, lost a lot of our soldiers; we lost Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido. Three of them were rappers. I guess they found the Afrobeats vibe, and it made them global stars,” Illbliss remarked. He further added, “Hip-hop is a tough sell in Nigeria. Not everybody has been as fortunate as myself or Vector, M.I., Reminisce, Olamide, and Phyno. It’s not a long list.”

Illbliss’s reflections underscore the ongoing challenges facing hip-hop artists in Nigeria, as well as the shifting dynamics within the country’s music industry.