Exclusive Interview With Nigerian Rapper Illbliss

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Recently I caught up with my homie and fellow Nigerian rapper, IllBliss on set during his "Anamachi Kwanu" video shoot which was directed by Clarence Peters. We had a chit-chat  afterward, and the end-result? A thought-provoking and an interesting interview. By the way I was inspired to do this after I'd stumbled on Tyler the Creator's interview with Nas on XXL a while back. Read on!

Most Nigerian hiphop fans would agree with me that 'Anamachi kwanu' is one of the latest rap anthems in town. What inspired the song? And what's the message behind it?

Anamachi kwanu is a serious record. Lately music has been sounding recycled and redundant, so I went back to the essence of illbliss which is Rebellious music. It's a chant in igbo dialect meaning "Do you really think I'm joking here?" I love the new generation of artists coming out but some of them lack a true calling to the art of music so I had to jolt the phoney

I support rebellious music. People are too cautious these days. Speaking of the new generation of artists, do you think most of them still respect those that were here before them?

Well I know they show me a lot of outward respect. However, I can't see their hearts but I truly believe the current structure of the business was built from sweat and sacrifices made by older artists. We came from the scratch with very little technology to
support the growth. Today it's different; the kids have a lot more resources. Credit must also be accorded to newer acts that hustle hard to keep dropping hits and raising the bar. No credit accorded to the percentage trying to jack existing formulaes

Indeed veteran rappers like you made sacrifices for the industry. I remember watching Thorobreds perform on Galaxy TV back in the day. Y'all made me believe that there was actually a hip hop movement in this country. Are y'all still cool? Will there be any group project in the future?

None for now. I'm in touch with my thoro fam though

Nice! So I was at your video shoot for Anamachi kwanu the other day. And I was like 'yo, when this video drops...Illy's gonna be nominated this year' to say the least...

You already know the politics bro.

Word! So when's the new video dropping?

First week of July

'Oga Boss' is the title of your forthcoming album? What should Dat Ibo Boy fans look forward to?

Oga boss is my sophomore LP. It's a rap album, period no gimmicks. Honest, daring, reflective, triumphant, aspirational, every track was molded to mirror one or more of these attributes. I have been an entrepreneur from day one so I have always made music on my own terms. I am my own oga, so Ogaboss is today’s illBliss.

Which artists and producers did you work with on the album?

I featured Naeto C, Timaya, Ice Prince, Suspect, Chidinma, Silvastone, Blak Twang, WizBoyy. On production I worked with Suspect, Phyno, Silvastone, Wizboyy and XYZ of Str8 Buttah.

I see Black Twang on your track list. Good to know you're also collaborating across borders.

Yeah, you know Black Twang right?

No doubt, homie's been holding it down in the UK.

That's right!

By the way I also noticed your style cuts across both the young and old. So when's your sophomore LP dropping?

I'm 34 fecko. May not be very old, but not a kid anymore. My album is not underground texture wise. It's rap. It's illbliss. 'Oga Boss' drops in a month!

You're on the right path bro, and I believe originality is key. It makes one stand the test time of time

Yes bro. You know I want to do this because a lot of people have little regards for you when you're not hot, they drift!

True that!

Till you look like a contender again. When I had 'aiye po gan' dudes were hanging onto me. So much groupie attitude. And I can see through it.

I can imagine.

And I know with my new tunes they gon start famzing

Yeah right (laughs). There are a lot of Famzinoes in the game right now. Would u say 'Aiye Pa Gan' was a commercial song?

Nah. Aiye po gan has a message and a philosophy behind it. The beat was commercial. I can't write dumb music

Whenever I hear an Illbliss verse, there's something different about the rhyming pattern. Is that your trademark rap style?

Well. Not really. I write how it comes to me so long as I don't fall off the beat. I just go in but the flow at best is staccatoish

So besides the rap grind, I know you run the Goretti Company. What's the company all about and what else do you do?

The goretti Company is involved in grooming fresh talent. And I also consult for Project Fame. I manage their winners.

Interesting. So how do you juggle both jobs? Being a rapper and an artiste manager?

I try. I understand the boundaries and somehow they don't clash. I make a lot of sacrifices as a talent manager to ensure my clients get full attention and sometimes it slows illbliss a bit but altogether I'm having fun doing both

I see! I would have asked 'Any final words to your fans?'. But that's kind of cliché

It's ok:(smiles), Clichés work sometimes. I love my fans. They stay loyal and mad supportive. I thank them for being dedicated through the years from dat iboboy to u go wound to aiyepo gan to now

Thanks for your time

You're welcome. Thanks bro. I totally endorse This Is Fecko, it's a fresh angle to blogging and e-mags. Your brand represents Originality, it's thought provoking, artistic and informative

Thanks boss (smiles)

You're welcome bro. Anytime