Bella Shmurda: How Pasuma, Kwam 1 influenced my style of music

Bella Shmurda, the Nigerian singer, has opened up on the influence of Alabi Pasuma and Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1) on his style of music.

Shmurda spoke in a recent interview wherein he recounted his childhood in the Okokomaiko area of Lagos and the growth he has attained as an artist.

The 24-year-old has been one of Nigeria’s fast-rising music stars in recent years, with two extended plays (EPs) to his name.

His chant-like voice gives his melody an almost-spiritual vibe that when accompanied with his street-heavy lyrics sums an artist who is inspired by his upbringing on the streets of Lagos.

Speaking on the type of music that his singing method borrows from, Shmurda pointed at the Fuji sounds of Pasuma and Kwam 1 as his major source of influence.

He hailed their music as “conscious sound”, adding that he ought to continue making such type of music “so our culture won’t die.”

“Those sounds are conscious sounds. And that’s my background majorly. Because when you listen to Pasuma, [KWAM 1] they take you back and encourage you,” Shmurda said.

“They let you know there’re better days ahead. And this is what I want to continue. It’s not typically singing Fuji, but I want to continue that conscious sound. I want to awaken people and make them happy and give them hope so our culture won’t die.”

Shmurda started pulling the weights of fame when he dropped ‘Vision 2020’, his 2019 single, in which he talked about his quest to take the country’s music industry by storm.

He continued his impressive run in 2020 with the release of ‘Cash App,’ a hit song, which featured Zlatan Ibile and Lincoln.

The song has not only shot him into the limelight but also earned him recognition, including a nomination for the ‘Next Rated’ category at the 14th edition of The Headies.