Sitting down with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Bella Alubo for New Dope was nothing short of inspiring. Known for her eclectic sound and captivating lyrics, Bella has been making waves on the global music scene. As she prepares to drop her highly anticipated release, Bad Company, and teases an upcoming EP, we caught up with her to talk about her creative process, recent collaborations, plans for an album, and what she loves most about making music. In this exclusive conversation, Bella opens up about her journey, her artistic evolution, and what fans can expect next from the rising star.
About "Bad Company" and the Upcoming EP
- "Bad Company" is such an intriguing title—what inspired this song, and what story does it tell? I think every young person can relate to Bad Company because growing up there’s always talk about peer pressure & birds of a feather… It’s about a young woman rethinking the company she keeps & how she’s affected by that but still struggling with letting go.
- How does "Bad Company" set the tone for your upcoming EP? Is it a reflection of the overall vibe? Bad Company has that fusion ambience to its vibe. The instrumentals represent my immediate environment but you can tell that i’m a sum of the things i’ve been exposed to … it allows me go many directions without surprising you that i can be so many things.
- What themes or messages can fans expect to hear throughout the EP? This EP isn’t one of the projects that talks about love in the extremes we’re used to hearing it. it’s not just the honeymoon phase or the breakup phase. it’s the questioning, the waiting, wanting … and those little places you are on the day to day of living as a true lover.
- Can you share any standout tracks from the EP and why they’re special to you? i love Run It Back because of how easily the song came to me. it was like a triple entendre in my head. Run It Back like play the song again, Run It back like rewinding the moment & Run It back kinda like Runner Back to suggest getting played. so asking “would you run it back” is all of that.
- What was the most challenging and rewarding part of creating this project? the most challenging was probably decided what songs we liked best, my team and i. being an artist, all of the songs feel like my little besties i should fight for. the most rewarding part was hearing the ideas come to life after designing what was needed to the producers and engineer.
Collaborations and Growth
- Over the past few years, you’ve worked with some incredible artists—can you tell us about a few collaborations that really stand out to you? the most iconic collaboration i’ve done is definitely G.O.A.T which was a posthumous release by The Notorious B.I.G featuring Ty Dolla $ign and myself. it’s just wild because younger me who grew up in a small town in Nigeria is still having a hard time believing that happened. i also loved working with YCee & Tropicana Fruit Juice is a fan favourite, i was pretty stoked when Alicia Keys made a Tiktok to that & artists like Ashanti & Masego have shown love to that song as well.
- How have these collaborations influenced your sound and prepared you for this new chapter in your career? The collaborations let me know what the fans and the industry was feeling from me. people love Hip-Hop loving Bella with the Afro sound. with my sound, i try to unite black people globally because i grew up on black music from all over. America with the Hip-Hop & RnB, Jamaica with the Reggae & Dance hall, South Africa with the Brenda Fassie. the collaborations really speak on who i am as an artist on a global scale & have
- Do you have any dream collaborations that you’d love to make happen in the future? i’ll love to work with a lot of DJs and people like Major Lazer. i love when producers can amplify the sound in ways that work all over the world.
- Did any of your past collaborators contribute to "Bad Company" or your upcoming EP? My past collaborations inspired where my mind was at for this EP.
- What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from working with other artists? The biggest lesson i’ve learnt from working with other artists is that there’s no limit to how far sound can travel and having that in mind makes me think about human beings more closely.
Future Plans and Vision
- After this EP, do you have plans for a full-length album? What’s your vision for it? I’m constantly working on music so an album would definitely happen. I want my album to be an even more intricate view into my mind. I want listeners to feel like they truly know me.
- How do you see this EP paving the way for the next stage in your career? This EP is like a get to know me for the diaspora and the world. i see this EP putting new people on my music & giving existing fans what they want.
- Are there any surprises or special plans for fans as you release "Bad Company" and the EP? i like to witness listeners reactions to things as they happen so they live it with me. i like surprises better for sure.
- What does success look like to you for this release and beyond? in my old journal i wrote that i want to be the top african female artist with the biggest discography ever. success to me would be having as much of my music out there & being heard by as many people as possible. i know how much my early inspirations helped me dream big even from a little town so id like to do that for people out there, id like to help people imagine. success to me is my family wanting for nothing & being with the love of my life.
Creative Process and Passion
- What’s your favorite thing about making music, and how has that evolved over time? my favourite thing about making music is telling secrets. it’s liberating to put into art just anything i’m feeling. my writing has evolved over time because of how much studio time i’ve had and watching other established artists processes so i’m able to be more metaphorical which is very artsy, although i still love a good storytelling.
- Where do you usually find inspiration for your songs, whether it’s personal experiences, cultural influences, or something else? i’m a sum of everything i’ve been exposed to. my music is everything i feel, hear, see… everything ive ever sensed can translate in some way. so it’s the sounds i hear on the radio in lagos traffic but it’s also the songs my Dad played when i was little. my personal life helps me channel my artistry in relatable ways.
- How do you approach songwriting—are there specific rituals or environments that help you get into your creative flow? i LOVE writing and recording when i’m alone. i love the freedom of recording 15 vocal layers if i want & listening to something over and over till it’s exactly what i want it to be. on my best days, i wake up, work out, eat oats & record all day.
- What role does Afrobeats play in your identity as an artist, and how do you blend it with other genres? most middle class african kids where i’m from probably listened to more international music as kids so Afrobeats really helped bring that identity to show us what we can sound like. i personally believe that all human beings come from one place & music is the one language we all speak. blending genres to me is speaking in ways that people like me who happen to be from somewhere else can hear me in a language that they understand.
- Is there a particular moment in your career so far that made you realize music is your true calling? i’ve always been a writer. i’ve always had feelings bigger than me. my expression just evolved into what it is now so it kinda feels like i’ve always been in my calling.
Fan Engagement and Connection
- What do you hope fans feel or take away from "Bad Company" and your new music? i hope fans connect with the sound, my thoughts and the art. i hope they see a new side to being a woman from Nigeria.
- Are there any plans for live performances, tours, or virtual experiences to bring this music to your fans? i would love to connect with fans all over the world. going on tour is definitely the motive.
- How do you stay connected with your fans, and what’s the most meaningful feedback you’ve received from them? fans on social media are very freely expressive & i also love taking radio interviews. the most meaningful feedback i receive is fans telling me what their favourite songs are & i always try to make more of that for them.
- What’s one thing about Bella Alubo as an artist that you want the world to know? i want the world to know that my strongest belief is spreading Love & it’s all i want to do with my music. \
Full Bella Alubo Gallery for New Dope
