INTERVIEW: Rapper Oba Lurge reflects on debut album — and starting music career in front of broken mirror

By Genevieve Aningo

Grit, unwavering passion and sheer determination to brace the odds; Oba Lurge’s meteoric rise to prominence did not come on a platform of gold.

He fought his way through — and he’s not done yet.

Oba Lurge started pulling the weight of fame in 2019 when he launched Mich Selber Music, his record label — at the age of 25.

The rapper, dubbed Africa’s youngest record label chief executive officer (CEO), has continued his impressive career run since then.

Though in the music industry for just three years, Oba Lurge, whose real name is Olufemi Anthony George, has achieved a lot locally and internationally.

Last year, he came through with ‘Red Rose’, his first international collaboration which featured Jamaican dancehall artiste, Swazz, and Afrobeats singer, Ghash.

In June, he also announced a distribution deal with Universal Music Nigeria. With a new Extended Play (EP) and debut album in the works, the 28-year-old rapper is undoubtedly set to take the music industry by storm.

In this interview with CRISPNG, Oba George walks us through his music career, challenges as fast-rising artiste, and working with music heavyweights for his forthcoming debut album.

The Akwa Ibom-born artiste, who grew up in Lagos, also reflects on how he started his music career in front of a broken mirror.

Please introduce yourself and your music background 

My name is Olufemi George. I am the 4th son of my dad and the second son of my mother. I come from a very rich cultural heritage of music. My elder brother used to be a musician, my grandmother still sings in the church choir, my grandfather used to play the flute and my great grandfather used to be a musician in his days, so music is really something that I feel came about naturally.

Also, I have a younger sister who I know raps way better than myself but that’s a conversation for another day.

When did you start music professionally and which project remains your best so far?

I got to that point in 2019 when I bought my first ever studio equipment, registered my label imprint and released my first two EPs, Mich Selber The Mixtape and Grammy Dreams in January and December 2019 respectively. But so far, ‘Sorry For The Wait’ is most definitely my best body of work, I mean it has the legendary Iyanya on it.

You’re once considered Africa’s youngest record label owner — or probably still is. How does that make you feel?

I’ll be honest, I don’t feel like I once was, I still feel like it is because I started my own label at 25 and two years later I signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Nigeria. I most likely still am because virtually nobody my age is courageous enough to go start and run their own imprint. Everyone in the music business my age or less is currently working for someone which is one opportunity I never had so I had to create mine.

I wouldn’t know if it was the title that got me where I’m at in this moment or the sufficient grace to put the work in, but the only thing I know for sure is the fact that I just kept going and I’m not even anywhere near where I’d like to be.

What have been your challenges as a fast-rising musician ? 

First, it’s a ton of way too many people that fit into the fast rising artiste category either good or whack, so everyone is almost never interested without taking  time to listen.

Then proper funding, because other than having to make great music which is your sole responsibility as a musician, you need to brand, market and advertise yourself and none of these phases of execution is cheap.  I am  still just trying to figure all of that out.

There are arguments that rappers are not really recognised in Nigeria like their colleagues that sing, how do you hope to change that narrative?

You’re actually right about that but on my part I’ll foster collaborations. I’m always working so there’ll always be a new rapper you’d discover on all of my coming projects.

I’m working on starting my own podcast ‘For Da Culture’ where I would  invite rappers and walk through the journey with them and hopefully grow a vibrant and informative Nigerian Hiphop community.

How would you rate your rap music over some reputable rap artists in Nigeria like MI, Falz, Phyno Olamide?

I would not  rate my music over any of these names you just mentioned because what these men have done and achieved with rap music, I still dream about it. Like none of it was done overnight.

I definitely make distinctive music but I don’t think I’d like to rate my music over these names, one way or the other they have  affected the culture and it’s the benefits of all of that we’re trying to thrive on.

Which big artiste (s) are you planning to collaborate with in the future?

Top of that list for me is Jay Z. I have no proper explanation for how much love and respect I have for that man, it’ll be nice for him to know at some point.

The Big indigenous four are Burna Boy, Davido, Wizkid and Olamide. Likewise I would like to work with Brymo, Fireboy and Omah Lay.

I already have music with Joeboy, Iyanya and Duncan Mighty scheduled for my debut album — ‘African King’,  which should be out at the end of the year or next.

What are you working on at the moment and what is your aspiration in the music industry by 2030?

Presently, I’m working on my 4th EP — ‘Son Of George’. This is the most special project I have ever worked on.

It has vocal samples from my father who is my hero and it features all of my favourite Nigerian rappers on merit not minding how popular or commercially viable they are; but minding the lyricism and value that they bring to the music at this point.

Every single one on the project is fresh, vibrant and has that trace of genius in them. I am really privileged to be going through this phase of life right now with these ones.

Things can change rapidly over a very short period of time so I really don’t like to put myself in a box of expectations.

I see life as an adventure and ever learning curve and I am willing to grow and explore until the very end.  I mean all of what’s happening right now started in front of a broken mirror in Mr George’s House without a penny in pocket and not knowing when I would ever record my first song but I’m really grateful to have followed my heart.

You can check out Oba Lurge’s works on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.