He might be controversial, but Rising Star Ahmed Abiola Akinbiyi aka Bella Shmurda is a young man who realizes what is identified by the Nigerian generation. He was brave, compassionate and talented, and continued to ride on the Nigerian music scene while interesting for pleasant music lovers. His biggest single, 'Cashapp', still became one of the biggest songs in 2020 and 2021. Graduates of history from Lagos State University, who grew up in Okokomaiko, a suburb of Lagos, spoke to Adenyi Adewoyin about his traffic jam, new EP, appreciation of traditional beliefs, and plan.

You recently graduated from LASU, you must be working on your new EP while still in school, how do you juggle both?
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Well, it's always like that before my first EP, even before I came out first in the industry. I have always been a student; I always work to fend for myself. So jaguar, I think hard work, God's grace, and the mindset we all put what we consider important. You have to be passionate about what you do before you can make something from it.

Do you have enough time to attend your study while at school?

Yes! Obviously, but as a man, you have a way to balance something. I'm fine in my music which is my main goal; School is just an additional.

Your new EP is titled 'High Voltage,' How did you come about his name?

I call myself 'tension' because of my ability to penetrate all opportunities, the ability to attack, to show you to the world. I believe where I come from is not an opportunity. Finding me here is a matter of tension.

Where did you come from?

I am from Okokomaiko in the state of Lagos. Yes, and it's a place with less opportunity. But I am here like myself, I think it's tension and it's high so that's where inspiration comes from.

Why did you decide to come out with 'high voltage 2.0'?

Major, I want to get my voice to my fans. I want people to feel me more because most of the time, I appeared. At present, I want to be the only one, to prove to my fans and my lover that I'm a better person. I am a better Bella Shmurda.

So there is no feature in EP?

No, nothing. It's just me and it's to prove that I'm competent, that I can do it yourself. I have done this and I can still do it.

Do you insinuate that the feature might distract people from the type of music that you make?
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Not! I want to know my strength. I want to know what I can draw alone. I want to know how far I can reach. That's why I'm the only one in my EP.

What is your impression after listening to the complete EP?

I feel this comes differently. People will see another light from Bella Shmurda. Most of the songs on this ep are not just songs, they are songs that need time, and they are the songs that I made to make people can relate better with Bella Shmurda. I want people to see different light, different dimensions. That's my feeling when I listened to all the songs in my EP.

So when will your album come?

Next year. Early next year.

You are seen in Ghana with Wizkid. Do you produce songs together?

Yes, we do something good. Yes, we make something good. So shouting to Wizzy.

With fame and wealth today, what will be your focus forward?

My focus is a majority is to improve life with all kinds of businesses I want to do.

Has come from a background like that and where you are today, what surprised you most when you think of where you came from?

Looking back, as Bella Shmurda, I don't want to go back there empty-handed. Do you understand? I want to go back as someone who represents, as someone who helps, as someone who is yes if they talk about Bella Shmurda, the whole Okoko will be there to defend my name. So, that's what I want to do. That's where I come from. I want to be a better representative and I want to have evidence for it. Not just Okokomai.