Bella Shmurda, whose birth name is Abiola Ahmed Akinbiyi, is a Nigerian singer and songwriter born in Ikorodu, Lagos, in 1996. His journey into music began early, participating in his elementary school’s band and cultural dance troupe. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Lagos State University, an environment that helped him fully develop his conscious and relatable sound, often drawing inspiration from philosophy and religion.
He shot to prominence in 2019 following the release of his hit single “Vision 2020,” which became a viral success after a remix was released featuring Afrobeats icon Olamide. Bella Shmurda has since established himself as the “new voice of the street” and is the leader of Dangbana Republik, a collective of creatives in Lagos dedicated to various community and humanitarian contributions.