Who is Bella Shmurda?

Bella Shmurda, born Akinbiyi Abiola Ahmed, is a Nigerian Afrobeat artist and songwriter. He rose to fame in 2019 with the release of his debut single, “Vision 2020”, which earned him a nomination at the Headies Award for Best Street-Hop Artist.

Early Life & Career

Bella Shmurda was born on May 8th, 1997 in Lagos State, Nigeria. He grew up in a musical environment and learned to play instruments such as the guitar and piano from an early age. He started writing songs at a young age and recorded his first track in 2017. In 2019, he released the single “Vision 2020” which gained traction on radio and streaming platforms. Following the success of “Vision 2020”, Bella Shmurda released a few more singles including “Cash App” and “Only You”. His debut mixtape titled High Tension was released in 2020 and featured collaborations with Lil Kesh, Olamide and Davido. In 2021 he released the single “Adura” which became one of the most popular songs of the year.

Style & Musical Influences

Bella Shmurda’s music is heavily influenced by Afrobeats and hip-hop. His style has been described as melodic and soulful. He often incorporates trap elements into his music as well as references to his Yoruba heritage. His primary musical influences are Wizkid, Burna Boy and Davido.

Awards & Achievements

Bella Shmurda has been nominated for several awards for his music including the Headies Award for Best Street-Hop Artist in 2020 and the Soundcity MVP Award for Best New Artist in 2021. He has also been featured on several international playlists including Apple Music's A-List: African Music playlist.

Personal Life

Bella Shmurda lives in Lagos State, Nigeria where he continues to record and perform music. He is an avid sports fan and enjoys playing football in his free time.