Episode 13: PROPHET by OBUDUBOI.

• Hello everyone, and welcome to another episode of TALK TO US. Today we have a RADARArtist in our midst, currently part of our TOP25 charts, Obuduboi. We’re glad to have you here! What’s your real name?

I was born Athanasius Chukwuagozie Unimke, and I’m glad to be doing this with y’all too. It shows I’m starting to gain some recognition in the industry—thank God!

• How long have you been in the music scene?

I recorded my first song ever in 2017, but I’d say I started doing music full-time last year, 2023, when I released my first music project as an artist. Yeah, I dropped my first EP last year as an intro or opener, lol.

• Your stage name ‘Obuduboi’ sparks a lot of curiosity. What’s the inspiration behind it?

I started with the name Duke Chagzy (from my name Chukwuagozie), but I had to change it because people barely know about Obudu, where I come from. So it’s like me being patriotic. I know I’m certainly gonna blow up someday, and when it happens, I’ll be putting my city on the map again with that, you know.

• Given that you rep your hood so much, is the energy reciprocated?

Yeah, although I’d say I still need to do some sort of gig or concert in my hometown because I guess there are some unbelievers that need to be converted. But the ones who know me fwm heavily, you know what I mean, right?

• Your previous release ‘Halle’ remains one of our most iconic discovered tracks. What motivated the lyrics?

Halle is a song about triumph over hardships and tribulations as a young hustler trying to make ends meet on the streets of Nigeria. I had to collaborate with my niggas with a similar mindset to make that great jam. I’m sure it’s definitely gonna get bigger than it is currently. I’m glad the song made it to your charts, and that’s just the beginning of the exploits Halle will do—put a bet on it, man.

• Seeing that you’ve been in the music scene for a while, does it get frustrating at a point waiting for the breakout?

Nah, I’m good. Well, I’m human, yeah, and some experiences make you feel like, damn, these people don’t recognize me yet. But it’s fine. Give them a year or two, and I bet the narrative will be way different. I know what I do behind the scenes, and my God won’t let me down either. He’s got my back, and I’m doing good. It’s just a matter of time till I get to where I’m headed.

• How have you managed to deal with all the backlash and neglect shown toward you as an upcoming artist?

I just let it slide, man, with the mindset that they don’t see my potential yet. I believe that when they’re done sleeping on me, they’ll all apologize for how they treated me on the come-up. So for now, anyone can say or do anything they want, and it won’t faze me. It’s just a mere distraction from where I’m headed, and I’ve learned how to shut distractions up and increase my focus. You feel me?

• After hearing ‘Halle’ and longing for more, we’re sure the audience is wondering: What’s cooking next for Obuduboi?

I can’t say everything here, man, but I’m definitely coming with more good music, more professional collaborations, and great visuals too. Y’all should just know that I’m working so hard behind the scenes. Although I do get some limitations, that’s not gonna stop me either. Whatever it is would only delay what I’ve got for y’all, but it’s coming… Watch out!