INTERVIEW:
BELLA SHMURDA
With a staggering 6.1M followers, over 550 million streams and the position of 10th most streamed artist in Nigeria of all time according to Apple Music 2021, TIRADE WORLD is here to introduce multi-award winner, Bella Shmurda: the "NEW VOICE OF THE STREET".
Interview by Francetta Evans-Anfom
Styling by Kojo Hammond
Photography by Kane Folasade Oluwo
Location Hokus Pokus
Welcome, welcome. First, TIRADE WORLD would like to give you a big clap for all your achievements so far. How does it feel to be known as the "NEW VOICE OF THE STREET"?
“There are a lot of street acts out there. You know, there's a lot of people that speak for the streets, even outside music, so I'm happy to be one of them.”
That's amazing. Afrobeats have exploded worldwide and you are celebrated as a champion for the new school. Is it lovely to be recognised for your craft?
"Yeah, yeah definitely. It feels good to be recognised for what I do. You know, for what I love to do; for being me, for being myself; not the other way round. It's a blessing for me."
WOW! You've built a massive community of 6.1M followers across all social media. Are you still in shock that this many people love your music?
"Ah, definitely not. I'm not shocked but at the same time I appreciate everybody that loves me; that appreciates my song. I’m really glad for that.”
What was the one moment you realised you were famous?
"Aaaaah for me, it was at the o2 [Arena] when everybody was screaming "Bella"…then I knew it's really a serious thing. I am grateful for that."
I'm sure everybody asks you this but where did your love for music come from?
"My love for music comes from the streets. I come from the streets so I just want to change the streets. I just want to ginger the streets. I just want to make them happier. I'm doing it for the people less privileged. I want to be their hope, their voice. That's why I love music so much."
I love that. You're taking your sound from Nigeria to the world but let's take the world to Nigeria. What are your favourite places in Lagos and why?
"My favourite places in Lagos? I like Sailor’s Lounge, it's one of those lounges and they serve seafood - I'm a fan of seafood. I like W bar, it's beside the water and I'm a water boy, so that's one of my favourite places in Lagos. The Slave Trade Center, you understand, for history purposes... I'm a history student, so I like to learn more of these things and majorly I like_____ and that's where I come from. That's where I was brought up. Everything for me started majorly from there. Those are the places I love in Lagos."
Now you've brought us a new single, ‘My Friend’, and I'm liking it. Is it about a significant person in your life?
"Nah, not really; more about significant people I don't really talk to anymore, people I can’t get in touch with anymore. I'm just here to say, even if we aren't talking, it doesn't mean we have problems or you’ve offended me. I'm just trying to pass that message on that I'm working, I have to get that money. I have to be a better person. If I'm not getting through to you, I didn't forget you and I'm not trying to be proud. Things have changed, you know. You have to change too and move on. You can't be in one place for life."
Talking about moving, your first USA tour was last year, a 10 stop tour in New York and Texas to name a few. What was that like?
"It was good. That was my first time in America and it was intriguing for me. So it's amazing. I had good shows so it was nice. I would like to go there again but not in this cold weather, you understand? But definitely somewhere I'd love to go again."
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You followed that up with your UK tour. Do you prefer your fans in the USA or UK?
"Ah UK is good. I prefer both. In fact I love them all. They're all good. They're all nice. I love both places. I love my fans everywhere in the world. Shout out to them. Shout out to my UK people. It was mad in London. Scotland was crazy. I was in Ireland. Everywhere was crazy. It was booming. Shout out to everyone. I love it!"
Bella, you've worked with some incredible people and artists, what do you mean by your statement or quote let's say... "The music I do connects with everybody and has a message to pass. It goes beyond just music. It's spiritual and that is what it's described as 'conscious'." What do you mean by this? Is this how you're expressing what your music feels to you?
"Um, conscious music is like, you know if like someone is my friend.. It's not, It's not so so deep like a church song but definitely there is a significant message going on and conscious sound is like awakening people, you understand? Telling them something and making them feel good. Awakening them deep down. That's conscious sound. You know it's from the streets. You just have to like ginger people and coach them but at the same time let them know you're telling the truth, you saying reality. You're not just singing for love. You're not just singing for dance sake; you're singing for people's minds. To show them people's art and that's conscious music."
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What have you got planned for 2022?
"2022, big things planned. Majorly, we're releasing the singles. Majorly we're just observing; trying to compose the album perfectly and we push it out."
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