Veteran musician Tobechukwu Ejiofor, also known as Illbliss, has lamented the passing of Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, who all began their careers as afrobeats artists.
In an interview with Radio Now 95.3 FM, Illbliss recalled that before rappers like Burna Boy, Wizkid, Davido, and others began performing, rap music was quite popular in Nigeria.
He claimed that by turning to singing, they were able to become internationally famous. He acknowledged that only a small number of rappers, like himself, had found commercial success in Nigerian hip-hop music.
“We (the hip-hop community) lost many of our soldiers; we lost Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Davido,” stated Illbliss. They were three rappers. They became international stars, I suppose, after discovering the afrobeats mood.
“Selling hip-hop in Nigeria is difficult. Not everyone has had the same luck as Vector, M.I., Reminisce, Olamide, and Phyno. It’s a short list.