Limoblaze

A key player at the crossroads of Afrobeats and gospel, Nigerian singer/rapper Limoblaze brings vitality to the genres on albums like 2022 breakthrough Sunday in Lagos and the international hit “Jireh (My Provider),” a collaboration with Lecrae and Happi. Samuel Onwubiko was born in Nigeria in 1995, one of eight children in one of the few Christian families in a predominantly Islamic neighborhood. In his adolescence, he would perform at local talent shows, emulating Western acts he admired from Michael Jackson and Westlife to Eminem and 2Pac, focusing primarily on fast-paced lyrical flows. He started performing as Limoblaze in 2012 and released the hip-hop-forward albums Blind (2016) and Before Now (2018). As the modern Afrobeats genre began to crystalize in the early 21st century, Onwubiko found himself drawn to its sounds and saw potential in delivering his messages of faith among its rhythms. Third album Afrobeats Rap and Jesus, issued in 2019, was a turn toward this new style and netted him acclaim outside his home continent, including Best International Act nods at the Crystal Awards and the Premier Gospel Awards. After moving to the United Kingdom, Limoblaze began expanding his focus toward collaborations. In 2020 he released Bridges, a joint album with Philadelphia gospel rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H., and featured international acts like Sam Rivera and CalledOut Music on 2021’s God’s Favourite Baby (which featured the viral hit “Good God”). “Jireh (My Provider)” finally gave Limoblaze his biggest exposure yet, working with Lecrae and Happi on a reworking of Elevation Worship & Maverick City Music’s “Jireh.” It placed on Billboard’s year-end Afrobeats chart for 2022 and won him three more Premier Gospel Awards for Best International Act, Song of the Year, and Male Artist of the Year. Following the release of full-length Sunday in Lagos in 2022, several one-off singles became heavy streamers, including collaborations with Annatoria (“Put It On God”), Madison Ryann Ward (“Pretty Day”), and Sam Rivera (“Lord & Savior”). ~ Mike Duquette