Blaqbonez Explains Why He Has Never Voted in an Election

Nigerian rapper, singer, and songwriter Blaqbonez has opened up about his lack of participation in elections, revealing he has never voted.

The Imo State-born artist, whose real name is Emeka Akumefule, made this admission as a guest on Trend Centrl’s Off The Record Podcast. When asked about his voting history, he candidly replied, I haven’t voted before. Pressed further about his reasons, Blaqbonez simply responded, I don’t know.

Signed to Chocolate City, Blaqbonez explained that he feels largely uninterested and disconnected from Nigeria, attributing this to unmet expectations about the country’s progress. To be fair, my Nigeria… I kind of feel like I clocked out of Nigeria, bro. Like, I feel like too many things that I hoped would have happened, like, haven’t happened. And I’m just like, this country is just bound to be like this,” he shared.

Also known as Emeka the Stallion, the rapper suggested that Nigeria’s challenges are a reflection of its people, arguing that leaders mirror the society they govern. I feel like our leaders are a representation of us. So, I’ve seen us. So, I don’t see any difference. We are all, like, us, he observed.

Blaqbonez believes that voting does not make a meaningful difference, given his disappointment with the state of the nation.

Known for his creative fusion of hip-hop and Afro-fusion, Blaqbonez has been recognized by The New York Times as part of the new guard of Nigerian music and performed at the GRAMMY’s 2023 Salute to 50 Years of Hip-Hop event.