kunmie, simi & mabel

Biography

Oluwabukunmi Ariyibi Peter, professionally known as Kunmie, is a Nigerian Afrobeat singer and songwriter from the Itsekiri ethnic group in the Niger Delta region, raised in a Christian household in Ajegunle, Lagos. He began playing drums at age eight in church, attended Tolu Primary School and Mayday Secondary School, and initially worked as a songwriter for other artists before pursuing his own music. His breakthrough came in 2025 with the viral single 'Arike,' inspired by personal heartbreak and illness, which peaked at No. 2 on Spotify’s Global Viral 50 and amassed millions of streams, propelled by TikTok.

Kunmie's debut EP, 'Before We Became Strangers' (2025), features four tracks including 'Arike,' 'I Admit,' 'Majekaja,' and 'One More Chance,' blending Afrobeats with soulful introspection in what critics call 'Afro-depression'—drawing comparisons to Fireboy DML but rooted in Ajegunle street rhythms. A pivotal 2023 studio encounter with producer The Kazez encouraged him to record independently using FL Studio. He performed 'Arike' at the 2025 AMVCA, went viral internationally in Uganda, and released a remix of 'Arike' featuring Simi and Mabel in July 2025, expanding his global reach on Apple Music and Spotify.

At 21, Kunmie represents the new Ajegunle sound, channeling personal struggles like family challenges into symbolic artistry. His music emphasizes emotional honesty, metaphors, and storytelling, positioning him as a rising voice in Afrobeats with themes of love, regret, and renewal.

Fun Facts

• Wears a cigarette-shaped earring to honor his brother who encouraged him during a rehab stay.
• 'Arike' video on TikTok exploded from 200 followers to thousands of uses while he was still recording in the studio.
• Debuted internationally in Uganda shortly after AMVCA 2025 performance where fans sang every lyric back.
• His EP 'Before We Became Strangers' is a concise 11-minute narrative of heartbreak and renewal, praised as 'Afro-depression.'

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• The Kazez - Producer who encouraged Kunmie to record his own music during a 2023 studio session (Debut single 'Arike' and guidance on remix) [2023-2025]

Key Collaborators

• Simi - Featured vocalist on remix, blending her soulful style with Kunmie's Afrobeats ('Arike (Remix)')
• Mabel - Featured vocalist on remix, adding harmonies to the track ('Arike (Remix)')
• Omo Ebira Beatz - Co-producer on fuji-inspired track ('Majekaja' from EP 'Before We Became Strangers')

External Links

• Spotify