Bella Shmurda says he doesn’t appreciate being called a street artiste.
In a recent interview with Clout Africa, the Cash App hitmaker argued that he identifies as a conscious musician, insisting that the label of street artiste does not reflect his craft.
He explained that his music is rooted in awareness, adding that he focuses on songs that enlighten listeners and inspire self-realisation, soul awakening and upliftment.
The singer also stressed that describing him as a street artiste undermines the work and struggle behind his journey.
I will consider myself a conscious musician. What I mean by conscious is being aware — everyone being conscious of themselves. Singing songs that make people aware of what they don’t know, or relatable songs about what people already know, he said.
Songs like Cash App and Vision 2020 are songs of consciousness. I do conscious music. I sing songs for self-realisation, soul awakening and soul uplifting.
To me, calling an artiste a street artiste belittles our craft, our struggle, and everything we have done for the business. So calling me a street artiste isn’t right.
The singer, born Akinyibi Ahmed, began his music career in 2019 with the release of his hit single Vision 2020.
He gained widespread recognition in 2020 with the release of Cash App, a single that featured Zlatan Ibile and Lincoln.
The song’s success earned Shmurda a nomination in the “Next Rated” category at the 14th edition of The Headies.
He released his debut album ‘Hypertension’ in 2022.
