Bella Shmurda
Birth nameAbiola Ahmed Akinbiyi
Birth date27 January 1996 (age 30)
Birth placeIkorodu, Lagos, Nigeria
GenreAfrobeats · Street pop · Afro-fusion · World
OccupationSinger · songwriter
Years active2017–present
LabelDangbana Republik
Associated acts

Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi listen(born 27 January 1996), known professionally as Bella Shmurda,[1][2][3] He is a Nigerian singer and songwriter.[4][5] He rose to prominence in 2019 with the release of the song "Vision 2020", and a follow-up remix which featured Olamide.[6][7] He is also the leader of Dangbana Republik; a collective of creatives in Lagos providing community and humanitarian contributions.[8]

Early life and career

Bella Shmurda hails from a polygamous family in Ikorodu, Lagos State and is the last child from a family of 10 children. His journey in arts began in his early days through being a part of his elementary school band and cultural dance troupe. He grew up in Ikorodu, proceeded to have his secondary school studies in Badagry, and earned a bachelor's degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University.[1]

He gained public attention after his debut single "Vision 2020", caught the interest of Nigerian rapper Olamide who did a follow-up remix of the song.[9] Poco Lee, who is a dancer and close friend to Bella Shmurda made a video with the song which made it viral and earned the interest of Olamide, who invited the latter over to his studio for a remix. The support Bella Shmurda got encouraged him to release his first EP "High Tension" in January 2020.[10]

He released several other songs in 2020, one of which rapper Zlatan was featured in, titled "Cash App".[11] In 2020, he was nominated for the Next Rated Award at The Headies 2020.[12] He won the awards "Next Rated Male" and "Street Music of the Year" at the City People Entertainment Awards, and was also nominated for the "Revelation of the Year" Award Category in 2020.[13]

In 2021, at the Global Music Awards Africa which held virtually in Ghana, he won in two award categories, Global Collaboration of the Year and Global Most Popular Song of the Year.[14]

Also in 2021, he was the only Nigerian beneficiary among twenty-seven acts, across fourteen countries who were inducted into the YouTube Foundry Programme facilitated annually by YouTube Music[15] to access and leverage resources aimed at artistes development to launch their music to a wider reach globally, create greater impact and promote a broad spectrum of musical heritage.[16]

Following his breakout in the Afrobeat music industry in 2021, Bella Shmurda was featured in an episode on the African music interview series "This is Africa" by BBC.[17] Also, in 2021, Bella Shmurda was nominated for the "Next Rated" award at the Headies Awards.[18] In June 2021, his single, "Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln was nominated for "Most Played Song - Street Pop" at the NET Honours.[19]

Bella Shmurda made his debut performance at The O2 Arena in the United Kingdom, as a guest performer at Wizkid's Made in Lagos Concert in November 2021.[20][21]

In March 2023, he released his first single of the year, "Ara (Gen Gen Tin)" after his album project rollout.[22] His single "Philo" which featured Omah Lay was released off his debut album "Hypertension" in October 2022 and received global attention, causing South African rapper Nasty C to make a remix of the song which dropped in March 2023.[23] For his third release of the year, he collaborated with Tiwa Savage on a single titled "NSV" which dropped in May 2023 and was produced by Krizbeatz.[24] Bella Shmurda released his sophomore album, Sanity, on the 3rd October 2025[25]

Philanthropy through Dangbana Republik

In October 2021, Bella Shmurda reacted to a viral video of a pre-schooler performing a song by Olamide and himself titled “Triumphant” off Olamide's “Carpe Diem” Album, by choosing to sponsor the kid with an elementary school scholarship. This scholarship came into effect in November 2021.[26]

Also on his birthday in January 2022, he declared that through his collective, he would begin a program to feed a thousand destitute persons in the Ojo community where he grew up every year his birthday.[27]

Discography

EPs and Album

YearTitleTracks
2020High Tension (EP)[28][29]
  1. Ginger Me (Intro)
  2. Omnipotent
  3. Liquor
  4. Sho mo mi
  5. Amope
  6. Vision 2020
  7. Upgrade
2021High Tension 2.0 (EP)[30][31][32]
  1. Out There
  2. World
  3. Soldier Go
  4. Far Away
  5. Lako
  6. Rush
  7. Party Next Door
  8. Champion
2022Hypertension (Album)[33][34]
  1. New Born Fela
  2. Ase
  3. Contraband
  4. Lose It ft. Simi
  5. Oh Oh Oh
  6. Converse ft. Phyno
  7. Fire
  8. Lagos City
  9. Level Up
  10. Philo ft Omah Lay
  11. Nakupenda ft BackRoad Gee, Not3s, L.A.X
  12. No Other ft. Victony
  13. Man of the Year
  14. Addicted
  15. So Cold ft. Popcaan
2023DND (EP)[35]
2024R2 Sept 12 (EP)[36][37]

Singles

YearSong titleProducerAlbum
2019 Vision 2020ID Cabasa
Upgrade
Only YouBYLinx
2020 OmnipotentSaint Khor High Tension EP
Sho Mo Mi High Tension EP
Dangbana Orisa[38]Rexxie
Cash AppDopestiks
2021 RushLarryLanes High Tension 2.0 EP
WorldSB the Producer High Tension 2.0 EP
So Cold ft. Popcaan[39]Linton White Hypertension (Album)
No Caution ft. Seyi VibezLarryLanes
Party Next DoorVibez Ace
2022 My FriendNiphkeys
Many ThingsFancybeats
Fvck OffNiphkeys & LarryLanes
New Born FelaFancybeats Hypertension (Album)
Philo ft. Omah Lay[40]Krizbeatz Hypertension (Album)
2023 Philo Remix ft. Nasty C[41]Krizbeatz
NSV ft. Tiwa Savage[42]Krizbeatz
2024Loner[43]
Evidence/Holy Man[44][45]
1999 ft Bloody Civilian[46]BYLINX & PBeatzR2 Sept 12 (EP)
Mentali ft Boj[47]Krizbeatz
YearTitleProducerAlbum
2020"Triumphant" (featuring Olamide)[48][49]Carpe Diem
"Fade Away" (featuring Davido)A Better Time
2021"Jackpot" (featuring Crayon)[50] Twelve A.M
"Back 2 Back" (featuring Rexxie)[51]
2023"DOG EAT DOG II" (Odumodublvck featuring Cruel Santino, and Bella Shmurda)
2024"50-50" (VASA featuring Bella Shmurda)[52]T.U.C.
"Bring It (Naija Remix)" (featuring Bella Shmurda)[53]
2025"Delilah" (Bahd Man Niko featuring Bella Shmurda)[54][55]The Beat Murderer

Awards and nominations

YearEventCategoryNominationResultRef
2020City People Entertainment AwardsRevelation of the Year"Self"[56]
Next Rated (Male)"Self"[56]
Street Music of the Year"Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln[56]
The HeadiesNext Rated"Self"[57]
2021Net HonoursMost Played Street Hop Song"Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln[58]
AFRIMMABest Collaboration"Cash App" featuring Zlatan and Lincoln[59]
Gbedu Music AwardsArtiste of the Year"Self"[60]
The HeadiesNext Rated"Self"[61]
2022The HeadiesBest Street Hop Artiste"Self"[62]

See also

References

  1. ^ "PAUSE MEETS: Bella Shmurda". PAUSE Online | Men's Fashion, Street Style, Fashion News & Streetwear. 14 March 2022.
  2. ^ "BELLA SHMURDA- THE BUILDUP TO HIGH TENSION". The Guardian. 11 July 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  3. ^ Sare, Watimagbo (2022-10-02). "Bella Shmurda's Mom Says A Prayer For Him On His 25th Birthday". YouTube.com. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  4. ^ "I was enrolled into Tailoring - Bella Shmurda". Vanguard. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Bella Shmurda serves new sophomore EP, 'High tension2.0'". Daily Trust. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2021.
  6. ^ Olowolagba, Fikayo (26 January 2022). "I don't regret dumping LASU for music - Bella Shmurda". Daily Post
  7. ^ Mudasiru, Wisdom (16 January 2023). "9 Times An Olamide Assist Propelled A Rising Star". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.)
  8. ^ "Bella Shmurda explores humanitarian side with Dagbana Republik". The Nation. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  9. ^ Alake, Olumide (8 January 2023). ""Anything good takes time": Bella Shmurda on how he started making music at 13". Legit.ng
  10. ^ "Bella Shmurda's Rise to Fame Is What Dreams Are Made Of - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com
  11. ^ Okundia, Jennifer (18 December 2020). "Watch "Cash App" visual by Bella Shmurda featuring Zlatan, Lincoln". P.M. News. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  12. ^ Alake, Motolani (4 December 2020). "Fireboy, Burna Boy, Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Davido lead 2020 Headies nominations [Pulse Exclusive]". Pulse Nigeria
  13. ^ "WINNERS EMERGE AT 2020 CITY PEOPLE MUSIC AWARDS [FULL LIST]". 7 December 2020.
  14. ^ "Global Music Awards Africa 2021: All the winners". Music In Africa. 23 March 2021.
  15. ^ Aswad, Jem (27 July 2021). "YouTube Music Unveils Its Indie Class of 2021: Snail Mail, Sinead Harnett, Ambar Lucid, Many More". Variety
  16. ^ "Bella Shmurda, 26 others make list of YouTube Foundry grant". The Punch. 27 July 2021.
  17. ^ "BBC World Service - This Is Africa, SKORP and Bella Shmurda". BBC
  18. ^ "Headies 2021: All the winners". 22 February 2021.
  19. ^ "NET Honours Class of 2021". The NET
  20. ^ "Bella Shmurda performs at 02 Arena for the first time, thanks Wizkid". The Punch. 30 November 2021. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  21. ^ "Bella Shmurda, Blaqbonez headline day 2 of wizkid's O2 Arena concert". TheCable. 30 November 2021.
  22. ^ Quayyim, Adedimeji (14 March 2023). "Bella Shmurda Elicits Hope and Good Living In New Single, "Ara (Gen Gen Tin)"". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.)
  23. ^ "Bella Shmurda taps South Africa's Nasty C to re-jig Philo". The Guardian. 18 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Listen: Bella Shmurda & Tiwa Savage Want You to Have a "Non-Stop Vibe" This Weekend - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com
  25. ^ "Bella Shmurda finds balance on new album, "Sanity"". The Lagos Review. October 13, 2025. Retrieved October 14, 2025.
  26. ^ "Singer Bella Shmurda gives boy who performed song scholarship". The Nation. 26 October 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  27. ^ "Singer Bella Shmurda recounts birth experience on birthday". The Punch. 27 January 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Bella Shmurda drops High Tension EP - P.M. News". P.M. News
  29. ^ Alake, Motolani (6 February 2020). "Bella Shmurda uses 'High Tension' to find positivity in '2020' [EP Review]". Pulse Nigeria
  30. ^ "Bella Shmurda drops sophomore EP 'High Tension 2.0' - P.M. News". P.M. News
  31. ^ "Listen: Bella Shmurda Releases His Sophomore EP 'High Tension 2.0'". The Guardian. 9 July 2021.
  32. ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (9 July 2021). "It's A New Dawn For Bella Shmurda with 'High Tension 2.0' EP". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.)
  33. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (26 October 2022). "Bella Shmurda drops debut album 'Hypertension'". Pulse Nigeria
  34. ^ "Bella Shmurda Releases 'Hypertension' Album - OkayAfrica". www.okayafrica.com
  35. ^ Omotoso, Idris (2023-07-26). "Bella Shmurda Doesn't Want To Be Disturbed On Glorious New Ep 'DND' —". Soundcity. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  36. ^ BellaNaija.com (2024-04-26). "Bella Shmurda Honours Mohbad's Memory with New EP "R2 Sept 12"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  37. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (2024-05-02). "Bella Shmurda explores the pain of loss on 'R2 Sept 12' EP [Review]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  38. ^ "Bella Shmurda comes through with 'Dangbana Orisa' - P.M. News". P.M. News
  39. ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (27 August 2021). "Bella Shmurda And Popcaan Are An Unlikely But Agreeable Tag Team On 'So Cold'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.)
  40. ^ "WATCH: Bella Shmurda, Omah Lay combine for 'Philo' visuals". TheCable. 29 September 2022.
  41. ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (17 March 2023). "Bella Shmurda heats things with the 'Philo' remix featuring Nasty C". Pulse Nigeria
  42. ^ "Bella Shmurda ft Tiwa Savage drops new song 'NSV' - P.M. News". P.M. News
  43. ^ Oyeleke, Damilola (2024-03-15). "Bella Shmurda's "Loner" Is An Exploration Of Grief | The Culture Custodian". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  44. ^ "1da Banton, Bella Shmurda unite for evidence, Holy Man". The Guardian. 2024-04-13. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  45. ^ BellaNaija.com (2024-04-05). "1da Banton and Bella Shmurda Serve Double Dose of Music with "Holy Man" & "Evidence"". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  46. ^ Saltzberg, Jacob (2024-06-16). "Bella Shmurda shares invigorating single "1999" (feat. Bloody Civilian)". EARMILK. Retrieved 2024-06-17.
  47. ^ Taiwo, Olufunke (2024-10-12). "Mentali Lyrics by Krizbeatz, Bella Shmurda & BOJ". NotjustOk. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  48. ^ "Olamide releases new video for 'Triumphant' with Bella Shmurda". Pulse Nigeria. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  49. ^ "Watch: Olamide Features Bella Shmurda in "Triumphant" Music Video". The Guardian. 2 November 2020. Retrieved 26 March 2021.
  50. ^ Onabanjo, Adedamola (19 March 2021). "Crayon Fuses The Streets on the Bella Shmurda assisted 'Jackpot'". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014). Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Rexxie And Bella Shmurda Joins Forces On "Back2Back"". UrbanGist Media. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  52. ^ "Bella Shmurda & Vasa unite to spread cheer in "50/50" Remix". Radafrica. Editorial. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  53. ^ "Sean Paul and Bella Shmurda Unite for "Bring It (Naija Remix)"". www.turntablecharts.com. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
  54. ^ Music, Voxtrendy (2025-05-03). "Bahd Man Niko – Delilah Ft. Bella Shmurda (Mp3 Download)". Voxnaija (formerly Voxlyrics). Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  55. ^ "Download Bahd Man Niko Latest 2025 Songs Mp3 Download, New Music Videos, Albums, Biography". 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-05-03.
  56. ^ "Winners emerge at 2020 City People music awards". Citypeopleonline.com. 7 December 2020.
  57. ^ "Here is the full list of nominations for the 2020 Headies". UrbanGist Media. 4 December 2020. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
  58. ^ Mofijesusewa, Samuel (20 June 2021). "NET Honours 2021: "Damages" by Tems Named Most Played Alternative Song". The NET. Archived 21 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
  59. ^ "AFRIMMA Nominees 2021". AFRIMMA. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 8 October 2021.[dead link]
  60. ^ "Bella Shmurda - Gbedu Awards 2021 Performance". amebo9ja. 7 March 2021. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  61. ^ Silas, Don (21 February 2021). "14th Headies award: All you need to know about Davido, Fireboy, Burna Boy, other nominations". Daily Post
  62. ^ Acho, Affa (29 July 2022). "2022 Headies Awards: Wizkid, Tems, Others Lead Nominees List". Leadership