About
Blaqbonez a.k.a Akumefule Chukwu-Emeka George is a Nigerian rapper and singer-songwriter signed to Chocolate City Music who is popular for his versatile, energetic and competitive style of rap, as well as his many personas.
He started rapping at the early age of 13, despite his parents disapproval, and dropped his first project “Hip Hop Is Blaq” years later, whileattending Obafemi Awolowo University. He started gaining popularity as an undergraduate of the university, fiercely active on social media and within the University’s students community.
Early in his career, he frequented Nigeria’s battle rap scene, going undefeated and gaining notoriety as a fiery, no-holds barred competitor, before winning Terry The Rapman’s Zombie competition, as well as the Henessey VS Class in 2015. Blaqbonez sowed seeds early in the minds of music lovers, who also loved him for his comical side.
“Mr Boombastic” (named after his Caribbean alter-ego) which dropped in October 2019, debuted at #1 on iTunes, and in March 2020 at the height of COVID 2020, he released ‘Haba’ to public acclaim, with the popularity of his #StreamHaba campaign; which became not only a viral sensation on social media, but crowned him as the King of Music Marketing by most several local papers and blogs.
His last project Sex over Love dropped April 30, 2021 and has garnered over 90m+ streams till date, with the lead single Bling taking up 39.6m of that. Other Key highlights on that project include: #1 Album in Nigeria on Apple for three consecutive weeks; #1 Song in Nigeria – Apple for one week; #2 Top 100 Songs – Deezer; #2 Top Played Song in Nigeria – Radio Monitor Charts; Debuted in the Billboard – Next Big Sound Charts with the lead single “Bling” . The Project was hyped as must listens by Burna Boy and WizKid, and was listed as one of the Top Album of 2021 by the Rolling Stones Magazine. Songs from the Project – BBC and Shut Up were both placed in a Showtime Original Series, Flatbush Misdemeanors, which aired in June and July respectively.
This year, Blaq started with a bang packing out the Muri Okunola park with over 4,000 people in attendance. His themed project, “Breaking the Yoke of Love” featured celebrity appearances by CKay, Joeboy, Bella Shmurda, Falz, and MI Abaga among others. Pushing the same agenda he released the single, Commander, released at the end of February 2022, has hit over 15m streams. Blaqbonez’ steady grind has earned in 3 Headies nominations for 2022 (Lyricist on a Roll, Best Collaboration, and Best Rap Album). He has also been named Guinness Nigeria’s newest Ambassador in an endorsement deal to be announced later this year.
His latest project “Young Preacher” a 14-track release which derives its title from Blaqbonez’ unwavering desire to speak his truth, as he champions the position that the current definition of love especially in relationships is limiting and sets a standard that ultimately cannot be reached. This project with stunning features and hot singles such as “Back In Uni” feat Jae5 went #1 on Apple Music NG in less than 24 hours. Other key highlights include: Charting in over 20 countries including the official Uk album charts, “Back In Uni” peaking at #5 on Apple Music NG, All song off the album charting on Apple NG Top 100, ‘Back In Uni’ music video gaining 1.2 million views in 24 hours.
After successfully conquering the African market, Blaqbonez is taking a step further with his debut headline show in the UK on the 11th Of November 2022.