bella shmurda

Biography

Bella Shmurda, born Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi on January 27, 1997, in Ikorodu, Lagos State, Nigeria, is a prominent Nigerian singer and songwriter known for his conscious afrobeats style[1][4]. Raised in a polygamous family as the youngest of ten children, he began his musical journey at Lagos State University Staff School, participating in the school band and cultural dance group[4]. He later attended Badagry Grammar School and earned a bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University[1][4].

Bella Shmurda's rise to fame began in 2018 with his debut single "Vision 2020," which gained widespread attention after a viral video by his friend Poco Lee and a remix featuring Nigerian rap icon Olamide[3][5]. This breakthrough led to collaborations with top Nigerian artists and the release of his first EP, "High Tension," in 2020[3][5]. Bella's music is deeply rooted in the struggles and realities of Nigerian youth, blending afrobeats, afropop, and street-conscious lyrics to create a relatable and impactful sound[3][5].

As the founder of Dangbana Republik, a creative collective in Lagos, Bella Shmurda has established himself as a leading voice for social change and youth empowerment[3][4]. His legacy is marked by over 80 songs, hundreds of millions of streams, and a reputation for addressing social issues through his music. Bella continues to influence the Nigerian music scene with his energetic performances, genre-blending style, and commitment to representing the voice of the streets[3][5].

Fun Facts

• Bella Shmurda is the youngest of ten children in a polygamous family[4].
• He started his musical journey as a member of his primary school's band and cultural dance group[4].
• His breakout single 'Vision 2020' went viral thanks to a video created by his friend, dancer Poco Lee[3].
• Bella Shmurda is the founder of Dangbana Republik, a Lagos-based creative and humanitarian collective[4].

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Olamide - Supported Bella Shmurda by collaborating on the 'Vision 2020' remix and providing studio mentorship (Vision 2020 (Remix)) [2018-2019]

Key Collaborators

• Poco Lee - Friend and dancer who created the viral video that helped launch Bella's career (Vision 2020 (viral video)) [2018]
• Davido - Featured Bella Shmurda on his album and collaborated on singles (Collaborations on Davido's albums) [2020-2022]
• Zinoleesky - Frequent collaborator and fellow rising star in the Nigerian music scene (Various singles and performances) [2019-2023]
• Fireboy DML - Associated act within the YBNL collective (Collaborations and performances) [2019-2022]

Artists Influenced

• Dangbana Republik members - Inspired and led a creative collective focused on music and social impact (Collective projects and performances) [2020-present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. who does that? (feat. Bella Shmurda)
2. Al-Jannah (Uncle K: Lemon Chase)
3. OHEMA (with Crayon & Bella Shmurda)
4. Anytime (feat. Ayo Maff)
5. DOG EAT DOG II (feat. Cruel Santino and Bella Shmurda) (EZIOKWU)
6. HBP Remix (with Bella Shmurda) (Homeless)
7. Verily
8. Louder (feat. Ayo Maff & Bella Shmurda)
9. Triumphant (feat. Bella Shmurda) (Carpe Diem)
10. PARIWO (Blessed)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz