Sensational Nigerian singer and composer, Israel Lagbokun Olawale, better known as Bims, may be a fast-growing music artiste but is already charting his long term career goals.
Bims is one of the few high-flying young singer in Nigeria today. His adopted Afro fusion-styled music is gaining traction in the music space in the country and across the globe. Born in Lagos and first of three boys, his early interactions with music, beginning with his father hiring a teacher for his piano classes, triggered his love for music.
Bims’ full-time adventure and romance into music started back in his secondary school days after leading a group of talented students like him to perform at a school event. Encouraged by subsequent invitations to class parties and gigs, he began to earn pay from his craft.
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“I was born into a choir family whereby my father was a choir member and my two brothers were also in choir. Although I wasn’t really into the church thing like that I was just there. However in my second year in secondary school that was JSS2, I started writing songs,” the singer said.
“That was because my school did used to do a lot of events that encourage us to showcase our talent back then. In JSS2 there was a group that came up to sing on stage and I felt like I can do better than them so it’s prompted me to create my own group against the next event, so when the opportunity later came out we performed and people liked it and the response was that we were so good, so since then I kept on doing my thing till now.”
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With singles such as ‘Dey play’, ‘Amapiano’ and ‘Lamba’, streaming on international platforms, the Nigerian music industry acknowledges Bims as one for now and the future. Signed into Triple Treat record label in 2023, the 24-year-old rising star released an Extensive Play (EP) this year, highlighting his skill as an entertainer and performer.
“My genes of music is Afro fusion, like infusing a lot of African songs and that was what I grew up with, I grew up listening to the likes of Yinka Ayefele, Sir Shina Peters, and many others: I was influenced by their music,” Bims stated.
“Oh! I listen to Western songs also but I am more of the African songs than the Western song. I infuse a lot of African sounds such as Fuji, Apala. I represent Africa in most of my music. My fusion is a blend with the modern age and that is what makes it better and acceptable to the audience. The reaction has been good.
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“I have a new EP this year titled ‘Don Pablo’. I am still breaking out as people are beginning to know me through some of my music that are trending, like ‘ Dey play’, Amapiano and Lamba. As young artist, we are trying to fight for space in the music industry and the cost of production is on the high side.”
Focused and ambitious, the Ondo State indigene is already in the full grasp of his short and long term goals.
“In my short term goals, I envisage myself to be the next talk in town music star in Nigeria and Africa, to be able to reach a wider audience within Africa,” Bims stated.
“As for my long term goals, I see myself being among the big names in music industry in the world. Because I love the idea of making people abroad see the beauty of African sounds. The likes of Wizkid, Burna boy, and Davido have done the work, but we are here to do the continuity. I see my self performing on big stages across the globe and also receiving international awards and honours.”
