Abububaye, popularly known as Bassiqally, has been a staple in the Nigerian production scene over the last 3 years. With production credits on hit records like Dealer, Iseoluwa, and Obaa Sima, he has elevated himself to relevancy as one of the foremost producers to watch out for in 2025. In this exclusive interview, he sheds more light on his craft, how he met Fireboy DML, his work on Adedamola, and what we can expect from his forthcoming project.
49th: Can you introduce yourself to our audience?
Abububaye: Hello there, I am Abububaye PKA Bassiqally.
49th: How did you get into music production, composing, mixing, and mastering? Which of these music-making processes do you enjoy the most?
Abububaye: I have always had music around me since I was a child, playing local gigs with my siblings and singing in the church choir. From there, I developed an interest in arranging and putting music together, which led to me studying music technology and sequencing in school at The Polytechnic Ibadan.
Composing has to be my favourite process; that’s where the magic starts.
49th: How has your experience in the industry been so far?
Abububaye: It has been enlightening, and getting to meet and work with different creatives has been thrilling. I’m enjoying the journey so far.
49th: What was the first big hit/song you produced? What song would you say gave you your first big break?
Abububaye: My first hit song was Hustler by Superboy Cheque, but the big break was from Obaa Sima by Fireboy DML. That record changed everything.
49th: How did you meet Fireboy DML, and how did you guys strike such a wonderful connection?
Abububaye: I met Fireboy through a friend sometime in 2019, and I usually say the musical synergy is unexplainable because it comes easily, aside from the fact that we spent a long period of time Locked In.
49th: Let’s talk about Dealer. You have additional production credits on it. Did you expect the song to be this big immediately after it got recorded?
Abububaye: To be honest, we knew Dealer was a smash right from the studio session, so it wasn’t much of a surprise. It’s such a special record—big shoutout to Ayo Maff and Fireboy.
49th: You produced/co-produced about eight songs on Adedamola. Which is your best song on the album?
Abububaye: Yeah, it’s hard to pick one song in particular, but I’d pick Ecstasy because we had Olamide Baddo with us at the studio, and right there, the magic began.
49th: How did it feel working with a legend like Lagbaja? and putting together Back n’ Forth?
Abububaye: Back n’ Forth is so special to me because Lagbaja happens to be one of my music idols. I grew up listening to the legend so I was really inspired getting into the session with the other producers to make the beautiful record.
49th: What next does Abubs the Genius have in store for us? Any buzzing artiste you’ve been in the studio with lately? What should we expect from you between now and early 2025?
Abububaye: I have so much more in store and I have been collaborating with different artistes like Soundz, Brown Joel, EF Moon, to mention a few, and I’m also working on my project “The Afro Fuego Collection Vol 1.”, which is going to feature some exceptionally talented acts. So once you hear ‘Abububaye’ get ready to groove.
49th: What do you do in your spare time? When you’re not in the studio, how do you cool off? Do you have any other major interests?
Abububaye: I love to play football, and I enjoy skating very much. I recently went back to spinning records and being a DJ, too. It is something I have always had so much interest in. I will be playing some shows in the coming month, too.
49th: Final question. Obaa Sima or Iseoluwa? You have to pick one.
Abububaye: This is hard ooo. Can I just have both please, e jor! But yeah I will choose Iseoluwa, that record is a masterpiece.
49th: Any last words for people who are fans of your work?
Abububaye: Thank you for your support always, and I can’t wait to serve you guys more beautiful music. ABUBUBAYE!!