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This Is Africa · September 25 · 36 min

Illbliss

Illbliss - who is also known as the Oga Boss - is one of Nigeria’s most influential rappers. He first made a name for himself back in 2008 and pioneered the use of indigenous languages in hip-hop, which led to the birth of the so-called Eastern-Igbo Boy Movement. Illbliss has collaborated with global stars such as WizKid on Many Men, Odumodublvck on Full Chest, and Runtown on Alhaji (Can’t Hear you) - which is one of his most streamed songs ever. In this episode, he shares his insights with old-time friend DJ Edu on the state of Nigeria’s music industry – including whether the streaming numbers add up to financial security for artists, the role of social media and how he’s kept relevant in the ever-changing Afrobeats scene. Illbliss also talks about the influence of his wife and his daughters on his song-writing, and gives a shout to DJ Edu for the role he played in helping bring to life the song that changed the course of his career: OMG with Mr Eazi and Reekado Banks. DJ Edu’s 10in10 tracklist: Angelina - Masauti (Kenya) Ndanzwa Mhere - Nisha Ts ft Daruler HKD (Zimbabwe) Uleke - Driemo (Malawi) B4 B4 - Davido, FOLA & Mayorkun (Nigeria) Tayari - Xouh & Barnaba (Tanzania) Katchoupiano - Pheno Ambro (Togo) Mpinzira - Natacha Burundi (Burundi) Yo Aweh - DJ Spuzza (Namibia) Phusha iPhupho - Nicole Elocin & Shino Kikai ft Amahle Gasa (South Africa) Some Tem - DRAMA 07 (Sierra Leone) Presenter: DJ Edu Producers: Penny Dale & Catherine Fellows

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Illbliss - who is also known as the Oga Boss - is one of Nigeria’s most influential rappers. He first made a name for himself back in 2008 and pioneered the use of indigenous languages in hip-hop, which led to the birth of the so-called Eastern-Igbo Boy Movement.

Illbliss has collaborated with global stars such as WizKid on Many Men, Odumodublvck on Full Chest, and Runtown on Alhaji (Can’t Hear you) - which is one of his most streamed songs ever.

In this episode, he shares his insights with old-time friend DJ Edu on the state of Nigeria’s music industry – including whether the streaming numbers add up to financial security for artists, the role of social media and how he’s kept relevant in the ever-changing Afrobeats scene.

Illbliss also talks about the influence of his wife and his daughters on his song-writing, and gives a shout to DJ Edu for the role he played in helping bring to life the song that changed the course of his career: OMG with Mr Eazi and Reekado Banks.

DJ Edu’s 10in10 tracklist:

Angelina - Masauti (Kenya) Ndanzwa Mhere - Nisha Ts ft Daruler HKD (Zimbabwe) Uleke - Driemo (Malawi) B4 B4 - Davido, FOLA & Mayorkun (Nigeria) Tayari - Xouh & Barnaba (Tanzania) Katchoupiano - Pheno Ambro (Togo) Mpinzira - Natacha Burundi (Burundi) Yo Aweh - DJ Spuzza (Namibia) Phusha iPhupho - Nicole Elocin & Shino Kikai ft Amahle Gasa (South Africa) Some Tem - DRAMA 07 (Sierra Leone)

Presenter: DJ Edu Producers: Penny Dale & Catherine Fellows

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