Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, popularly known as Bella Shmurda (or FineBoi Bella), is a Nigerian singer and songwriter. FineBoi Bella majors in Hip Hop, Afro beat and R&B, and is known for his Street music style. He is currently in his final year in Lagos State University, Nigeria (LASU). After the remix of his song “Vision 2020”, with YBNL boss, Olamide, FineBoi Bella rose to a very impressive level of fame in the musical scene. “Flex”, “Boi Bella”, “Bye Bye to Poverty” among others, are some of his songs, which have gained good reception and massive recognition. In this interview, FineBoi Bella hints at the release of a project, which he tagged, a “Pan-African album”, to be released before the years runs out.
49th Street: Tell us a bit about yourself. Without the music, who is Bella Shmurda?
Bella Shmurda: Well, what can I say? I’d say Bella Shmurda is just one ghetto youth trying to make a difference. I’m an Ikorodu boy, Lasu boy. I’m still in school, final year though.
49th Street: Bella Shmurda sounds a bit different from the usual stage names we have come across. We are curious. Can you tell us how you came about the name?
Bella Shmurda: My name is Abiola so that’s how “Bella” came about, its like a nickname for Abiola, and then “Bobby Shmurda” used to be my favourite artist, so people used to call me “Bella Shmurda.”
49th Street: You are known for creating melodies and trying to relate your music with the daily struggles people face, what exactly is music to you?
Bella Shmurda: Music is reality to me, It’s Real Life—your day to day happenings, the things you can find around you and relate to, you know. My music is a reflection of the real world, with its struggles, aspirations, challenges, and everything in between.
49th Street: That’s down to earth—great! The beginning of your EP screams “Somebody ginger me.” Looking at it from that perspective, what is your inspiration to make music?
Bella Shmurda: Like I said earlier, realities help me write music, experiences and elements that surround me, that’s why my sound is conscious. It’s alive and aware. I think, generally, conscious living is important. There’s a whole lot going on around us, seen and unseen. It takes a good level of consciousness to be aware of the world we live in, and react to its needs. So, that’s something you can find in my music.
49th Street: At what point of your life did you feel music was going to be it for you?
Bella Shmurda: The day my mom listened to my music and approved, lol…that woman is hard to please. You can imagine it was a big deal for me.
49th Street: Vision 2020 is a very heavy song, something everyone can relate to for sure. We will love to know what inspired that record.
Bella Shmurda: Again, reality inspired the song, I was telling the mind of the people at that point and at the same time communicating Hope to the people. I mean, 2020 was that year everyone looked forward to. And well…it is what it is. Right now, we’re all just barely trying to make it to the end. Generally, the song was an up and down thing, on one side of the coin, I was narrating the hardship, on the other side, I was preaching hope.
49th Street: Getting Olamide on your song as a newcomer is really a big deal, how did it happen? Who is Olamide to you as you are?
Bella Shmurda: Olamide is a father to me. He heard my song online and reached out to me. He even paid Cabasa for the beat. I’ll forever be grateful to Baddoh.
49th Street: Your sound has been described as more of a street music, do you agree with this? If yes, why did you choose this line of music?
Bella Shmurda: The street is my background, that’s why I am able to do conscious music, because the street is REAL, so I do conscious sound.
49th Street: We all love Bella because we relate and the sound is ethereal. Can you tell us a bit about your creative process, how do you make these sounds?
Bella Shmurda: To be honest, there’s nothing much to say here. It’s simple. Once the sound plays, visions start to form and I begin to write.
49th Street: Going from the cry for help on vision 2020 to the obvious brag on Dangbana Orisa, how will you describe your growth in the music industry so far?
Bella Shmurda: Well, I have grown and evolved, so have my status and sound. I’m not there yet, but I’m certainly not where I used to be. What’s important is that there has been growth. Positive growth.
49th Street: Fine boy Bella, what do you love the most about your sound and your brand?
Bella Shmurda: Lol, I can’t say? I’ll leave that for the fans to decide.
49th Street: Apart from Olamide obviously, who are some of your influences in the industry—people you look up to?
Bella Shmurda: Davido, Wizkid, Shatta Wale…I can’t even start to mention all. There’s a lot of great people in the scene and that’s really amazing, the fact that I can’t even just mention a few people.
49th Street: You are considered as one of the future of street hop, how does this feel to you? Any pressure?
Bella Shmurda: No pressure. The street is my home. I’m here for this, wherever the cruise takes me. I’d ride the 2waves.
49th Street: Congratulations on “High Tension”, the EP. The name comes off intentional. Give us some inside gist about the project.
Bella Shmurda: High Tension is what it is. “High Tension.” You touch am, you shock (lol)
49th Street: What are your plans for the future? How far do you plan to take your type of music?
Bella Shmurda: The future is never ending, so is the sound. I intend to build it into a global force that would outlive me.
49th Street: Setting out to create a legacy. That’s an impressive aspiration. You really came to the scene in 2019 which is not long ago, how will you describe the musical journey for you so far?
Bella Shmurda: It’s not been easy. You know, ups and downs. Typical of the music industry or any venture at all. But it’s been worth it.
49th Street: Low-key, we all feel you need to drop an album next. Should we expect anything from you soon? Any major surprises you want to share exclusively with us?
Bella Shmurda: Expect a Pan-African Album before the year runs out.
49th Street: You heard, expect an album before 2020 runs out. Moving on, apart from music, what else do you have a passion for? What else do you do?
Bella Shmurda: I would most likely have become a footballer.
49th Street: That’s bold. You did amazing on the song with Runtown. What’s your favorite collaboration so far? What else do you have in the bag for us?
Bella Shmurda: I got something with David. It’s my fave for now and yeah, just watch out for the album. It has a couple top collaborations.
49th Street: What advice will you give to anyone trying to follow in your footsteps?
Bella Shmurda: DON’T STOP.