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Blaqbonez

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Blaqbonez
Background information
Birth nameEmeka Akumefule
Also known asMr. Boombastic, Emeka The Stallion
Born(1996-01-29)January 29, 1996(age 28)
Imo,Nigeria
GenresHip hop,Afro-fusion
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
Artiste
InstrumentVocals
Years active2012 – present
Labels
Websiteblaqbonez.com

Emeka Akumefule,known professionally asBlaqbonez,is a Nigerian rapper and singer signed toChocolate City.[1]

Blaqbonez is popularly known for his distinct rap style as well as his creative ingenuity. In 2019, he was profiled byThe New York Timesas one of the new guards ofNigerian music.He is widely known for his controversial self-proclaimed status as the "Best Rapper in Africa" (abbreviated as "BRIA" ), which became the most talked about topic in the Nigerian hip hop space between July and September 2019.[2]After carving out one of rap's most loyal fan bases, Blaqbonez unleashed his debut album “Sex Over Love” to a public that was more than ready to receive it. His unorthodox approach and humorous personality, resonated with the younger generation, and earned him co-signs from the likes ofWizkidandBurna Boy.

Early life and career

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Emeka was born on 29 January 1996, to anIgbofamily, and grew up exposed to theYorubaandUrhoboculture in Nigeria. Blaqbonez hails from Imo state, a state in south-eastern Nigeria dominated by the Igbo tribe. He grew up with his mother, a pastor, in a Yoruba and Urhobo mixed environment. He had his tertiary education atObafemi Awolowo University (OAU),where he studied Computer Engineering.

He was 13 years old when he discovered he could rap, and his journey into music was a result of happenstance. He self-discovered his talent while listening to the radio with his cousin, when the song of a 12-year-old rapper was played. His cousin liked the song and challenged Blaqbonez to come up with his own lyrics, since he liked criticizingrappers.A few minutes later, he had enough bars for a verse, and that was where it all began.[3]His parents were not in support of his newfound hobby, so he secretly pursued his passion. While in school, he dropped his first project, Hip-Hop in Blaq, and participated in competitions.[4]In 2011, Blaqbonez started participating in underground rap battles. He eventually won Terry Tha Rapman's Zombie Competition in 2012 at the age of 16, beating 3000 rappers in the challenge.[5]In the same year, he featured on Terry's 2012 mixtape titled “World Domination” alongside top Nigerian musicians includingOlamide,Vector,Mode 9,andSpellz.Five years later, Blaqbonez featured Terry on one of his projects.[6]He emerged first runner-up in Vector's King Kong competition, won theRhythm fmFreestyle Fury and became RhythmFm's artiste of the month, became theHennessyVs class captain, part of theSoundcityblast cypher, also released his much talked about mixtape CTAT "Cssette Tapes and Tvs" grossing over 60,000 engagements in streams and downloads, which is his third mixtape, following "hip-hop in blaq" and the "unfinished EP".[7]

In an interview withThe Punchnewspaper, he said his "Best Rapper in Africa" proclamation was a response to a diss track and need to wake up other rappers in Nigeria.[8]He was recently described byThe Guardianas'carrying the torch of Nigerian rap'[3]and on 2 January 2019, he was listed by the same publication as one of the "Top 10 Artists to watch in 2019".[7]Blaqbonez was namedWest AfricanRapper Of The Year at the inaugural Creative-Africa Hip HopAwards.The same publication ranked him second in their Top 50 African Rappers Of 2021list.

2018:Bad Boy Blaq

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Blaqbonez released his eighth EPBad Boy Blaqon 31 August 2018.[9]It was released as part of the L.A.M.B project, a series of three hip hop albums that attempts to reawaken Nigerian hip hop.[9]Bad Boy Blaqwas executively produced byM.I Abagaand released through 100 Crowns,[10]a label imprint ofChocolate City.[11]The EP was the last of three releases and was preceded by M.I Abaga'sA Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl(2018).[9]Areissueof the EP, titledBad Bloy Blaq Re-Up,was released in February 2019.[3]

2019:Mr. Boombastic

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Blaqbonez released his ninth EPMr. Boombasticon 25 October 2019. A day before the release of the EP, Blaqbonez released the promotional single "Jesus Is Black (Letter to Kanye West)". In it, he tellsKanye Westto postpone the release of his ninth studio albumJesus Is King,which had the same release date asMr. Boombastic.[12]

In 2020, Blaqbonez released 'Haba[13]'.

2021:Sex Over Love

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On 30 April 2021 Blaqbonez dropped his albumSex Over Love.The 14-track album houses previously released songs like "Bling" featuringAmaaraeandBuju (BNXN),"BBC (Remix)" featuringTiwa Savageand "Haba". Other artists featured on the album includeNasty Con "Heartbreaker",Joeboyon "Fendi",Bad Boy Timzand1Da Bantonon "Faaji",Laycon,Psycho YPand AQ on "Zombie" andSuperboy Chequeon "Best Friend". On Sep 17, 2021, Blaqbonez dropped "1000 Years". On the song "1000 Years", the disk jockey DJ Yankee employed the rap flows of Chocolate City rapper Blaqbonez, alongside Penthauze Music act "Cheque" who enhanced the song with his rap flows, lyrics, and melody.

2022: Young Preacher

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On October 28, 2022, Blaqbonez released his 14-track studio album,Young Preacher.The album released was a follow-through of his anti-love crusade on February 14 of the same year[14]and featured already-released track, Back in Uni which featured British-Ghanaian producer,Jae5and was popular for its much talked about parody music video. Other features on the album areLojay,Amaaare,Takura & Bien ofSauti SolandBlxckie.

2023: Emeka Must Shine

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On October 27, 2023, Blaqbonez released his third studio albumEmeka Must Shine[15]consisting of 14 tracks and it was released[16]underChocolate CityMusic.[17][18]The album is the follow up album ofYoung Preacheralbum. The album included guest appearances from indigenous artists such asBlack Sherif,Jeriq,Victony,Odumodublvck,M24,Zlatan,Young JonnandLudacris.[19]

2023: Like Ice Spice

on July 8,2023, Blaqbonez released his two-packed singles Like Ice Spice, and Bezos. On the 16th headies award show held at Atlanta on September 3, 2023 he won in the category of the "Best rap album of the year"

Discography

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Studio albums

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EPs

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  • Bad Boy Blaq(2018)
  • Bad Boy Blaq Re-Up(2019)
  • Mr. Boombastic(2019)

Singles

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  • "Mamiwota" feat.Oxlade(2019)
  • "Shut Up" (2019)
  • "Haba" (2020)
  • "BBC" (2020)
  • "BBC Remix" feat.Tiwa Savage(2021)
  • "1000years" (2021)
  • "Commander" (2022)
  • "Go Home" (2022)
  • "Back in Uni" feat.Jae5(2022)
  • "Stealth Freestyle"
  • "Cinderella Girl" (Where You Dey) featLudacris
  • "Like Bezos"
  • "Like Ice Spice" (2023)
  • "Nyem Ego (Cover)" feat. Lordmoon (2024)

See also

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  • Paperman (29 January 2022)."2021 Creative-Africa Hip Hop Awards Nominees And Winners | Creative-HipHop".www.creative-hiphop.com.Retrieved28 March2022.
  • Paperman (26 December 2021)."Top 50 African Rappers Of 2021 | Creative-HipHop".www.creative-hiphop.com.Retrieved28 March2022.

References

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  1. ^Boomplay, The."Why Blaqbonez Is Dethroning All Your Favourite Rappers In Nigeria".www.boomplaymusic.com.Retrieved18 September2019.
  2. ^Akan, Joey (30 August 2019)."The New Guard of Nigerian Musicians".New York Times.Retrieved9 September2019.
  3. ^abcBakare, Tonye (18 August 2019)."Blaqbonez: Carrying The Torch Of Nigerian Rap".guardian.ng.Retrieved9 September2019.
  4. ^Sean, D. J. (6 September 2012)."TosinadedaHYPE presents: Blaqbonez • AceWorldTEAM".AceWorldTEAM.Retrieved9 September2019.
  5. ^"Terry Tha Rapman's Zombie Finalists & Winner Revealed".28 February 2012.
  6. ^"BlaqBonez - For Daddy ft. Terry Tha Rapman, Paybac, MVP, Peter Clarke, HighM & Laycon « tooXclusive".tooXclusive.15 December 2017.Retrieved9 September2019.
  7. ^abNjoku, Chisom (2 January 2019)."Ten Nigerian Artistes To Watch In 2019".guardian.ng.Retrieved9 September2019.
  8. ^"My song not meant to disrespect MI, Vector, other rappers –Blaqbonez".Punch Newspapers.11 August 2019.Retrieved9 September2019.
  9. ^abcNjideka Agbo (10 August 2018)."LAMB August: MI To Release His Albums On These Dates".Guardian Life.Retrieved22 March2020.
  10. ^"Blaqbonez, a Proof there's still hope for Hiphop in Nigeria".5 March 2021.Retrieved8 March2021.
  11. ^"Stream: Blaq Bone's #BadBoyBlaq album now".31 August 2018.Retrieved9 September2019.
  12. ^"Blaqbonez releases Mr Boombastic EP".culturecustodian.25 October 2019.Retrieved14 March2023.
  13. ^Blaq, Boys (20 March 2020)."Blaqbonez - Haba".Retrieved8 October2020.
  14. ^"Highlights From Blaqbonez 'Breaking The Yoke Of Love' Crusade | WATCH".NotjustOk.14 February 2022.Retrieved22 May2023.
  15. ^"Rema, Reminisce, Blaqbonez To Drop New Projects October 27".Voice of Nigeria.26 October 2023.Retrieved7 December2023.
  16. ^Kanmodi, Funmilayo (13 October 2023)."Blaqbonez releases third studio album 'Emeka Must Shine'".NotJustOk.Retrieved7 December2023.
  17. ^Laketu, Adeayo (27 October 2023)."Nigerian Rapper Blaqbonez Drops 'EMEKA MUST SHINE' Album".OkayAfrica.Retrieved7 December2023.
  18. ^Afigbo, Chinaza (19 October 2023).""Emeka Must Shine": Blaqbonez Splurges Millions of Naira on a Mansion, Pool, and Brand-New SUV ".Legit.ng.Retrieved7 December2023.
  19. ^Famakinwa, Faith (27 October 2023)."Rema, Reminisce, Blaqbonez set to release new albums".TheCable.Retrieved7 December2023.
  20. ^"Nigerian artist Blaqbonez talks about his 'Sex Over Love' album, family, career, and more – GRUNGECAKE".grungecake.com.Retrieved22 May2021.
  21. ^Overo, Naomi (29 October 2022)."Blaqbonez Unveils Anticipated New Album," Young Preacher "".The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.).Retrieved1 November2022.
  22. ^Ademola, Bisi (27 October 2023)."BLaqbonez Drops Brand New Album, 'Emeka Must Shine' | African Folder".Retrieved27 October2023.
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