Basiil Hope : a rising star in Nigerian music currently signed with Bankulli Entertainment, where he revealed his EP in 2022. His undeniable talent, unwavering commitment to his craft, and relentless pursuit of success paint a vivid picture of his unique place in Nigeria’s fiercely competitive music scene and beyond. His debut not only heralds an exciting era for Afrobeats but also solidifies his reputation as a trailblazer in innovation and creativity.
Stay tuned as Basiil gears up to release his first single of the year—an intriguing song that promises to resonate deeply with listeners, showcasing his ability to connect through his music.
Could you share the earliest moment in your life that set you on the path to becoming who you are today?
The earliest memories of me in my music career are when I started singing in church. Before then, when I discovered I had talent, it was when my sister actually discovered my talent. From there, I started going to church to sing, and the response was really good. Obviously, I knew that I had something that people really liked, and from there on, I’ve been working on my music. I’ve been singing since I was 8 years old in church.
When did you start creating music and what inspired you to start creating music?
Officially, it was late 2022 when I actually recorded my first song. It was my first time meeting Bankulli, so we just had a quick studio session. It wasn’t that great, but it was my first time, and I’ve gained a lot of experience since then.
How did you initially connect with Bankulli Entertainment, your management team?
So, I met Bankulli around June 2022. He reached out to me through Instagram DM, and that was how we met. He saw my covers that I used to post, and he liked them, so he reached out to me. Since then, we’ve been working together.
Given the fierce competition in the music industry, what strategies have you implemented to maintain your relevance?
It’s still my first year, and as much as I want to be everywhere at once, I think I’m at a point where I’m actually taking it slowly but moving and progressing. I feel like I’ve made a lot of progress since I started and released my first single. I released my first single last year in June titled “Vibration” and my EP afterwards the next month. Since then, I’ve gained a lot of experience. Hopefully, this year will be a better year; I have a lot of things coming up.
Could you share three artists from your playlist that you enjoy listening to?
My top three artists right now, based on my current state of mind, are Chris Brown, Kiss Daniel, and Frank Ocean.
What do you think about the evolution of Afrobeats in Nigeria and your role in it?
Ever since I was a little child hearing those songs that Wizkid used to put out since like 2012, 2011, and how far Afro beats has come now, obviously, you know that there is a huge gap between then and now, and it’s only going to go up from there. You can see how those top guys are shutting down stadiums and arenas, and it’s only going to get better. The music is getting better, even white people and everybody else are vibing to our music, our sound, and our culture. It’s not only about the music; they’re interested in our culture and everything else that is attached to Afro beats. Hopefully, they will hear Basil soon, and I’m obviously going to be part of the story.
What lessons have you learned from working in the industry?
I feel the first thing is that you actually need to put in the work because as much as people always say you’re under Bankulli, it’s going to be easy for you. It’s actually not that easy, so I need to put in enough work to get to where I want to be. I’ve learned a lot but at the same time, I’m still looking forward to learning more. People always tell me to be careful of associations and everything in the industry, but I really enjoy being in this space that I am.
What specific lesson have you learned from Bankulli that you consider invaluable?
The relationship I have with Bankulli is more than just learning one thing. I feel like I’ve learned a lot of tips that I need; I feel like he has put me through a lot, and I can’t just put it in a single word. I’d rather say I’ve learned a lot of things from Bankulli.
Are you working on any new music that you’re excited about?
Yes, it is exclusive, but I’m working on putting out one of my songs, and that song will be my first song for this year. It’s a very interesting song, so I can’t wait for it to be out personally. I feel like it’s the kind of song that people will connect to. This year I have a song with Shatta Wale, off the album “Konekt,” and the song did really well. I got to connect with some of my Ghanaian fans; it’s been a good year so far.
Is there anything else you’d like your fans to know or any message you’d like to share with them?
Watch out for more stuff; in the next few months, there will be a lot of activities from me. I’m looking forward to putting out that content and everything else that will be coming soon.
quotes
“As an artist, I believe in staying true to myself and my sound. It’s about authenticity and connecting with people through music on a deeper level.”
“My earliest memories of music were singing in church, discovering my talent with the encouragement of my sister. It was there that I realized I had something special to offer, and I’ve been honing my skills ever since.”