Nigerian rapper Illbliss has opened up about a discouraging experience he faced early in his music career. The veteran artist, known for proudly representing his Igbo roots in his music, recently shared how a Lagos-based radio presenter once told him he wouldn’t make it in the industry simply because he rapped in his native language.
Speaking during an interview on the Real Shareholders podcast, Illbliss explained that when he first moved to Lagos to pursue music, he was met with unexpected bias. At the time, he had released a track titled Igbo Boy, a song he says was meant to celebrate Igbo culture and the community’s love for enjoyment.
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According to him, a radio presenter reached out to express skepticism about his chances in Lagos. Quoting the presenter, Illbliss said, “What are you trying to do? You can’t make it here. You’ve come here with an agenda. Omo-Igbo.” He went on to say the presenter even switched to Yoruba during the conversation and told him, “When you can’t beat them, you join them.”
The rapper recalled feeling deeply disappointed, especially because his song wasn’t negative or confrontational in any way. It was simply a celebration of his identity. The incident, however, made him reflect on the underlying ethnic tensions that still exist in Nigeria, especially in entertainment spaces that are supposed to be inclusive.
Despite the early discouragement, Illbliss went on to carve a solid place for himself in Nigerian hip hop. His story serves as a reminder of the challenges many artists face when trying to stay true to their roots in an industry that often pressures them to conform.
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