Blaqbonez

Emeka Akumefule, professionally known as Blaqbonez, also called Mr. Boombastic and Emeka The Stallion, was born January 29, 1996 in Imo State, Nigeria. Raised by his pastor mother in a Yoruba and Urhobo-influenced environment, he discovered rap at 13 after a dare from his cousin while listening to the radio. a1013375

He built his name in the underground, winning Terry Tha Rapman's Zombie Competition in 2012 over 3,000 rappers and appearing on Terry’s _World Domination_ mixtape alongside Olamide, Vector and Mode 9. While studying Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University, he dropped early projects _Hip-Hop in Blaq_, _Unfinished EP_ and _Cassette Tapes and TVs_. 8627

In 2019, he famously proclaimed himself the “Best Rapper in Africa” (BRIA), a controversial claim that made him the most talked-about topic in Nigerian hip-hop and earned him a profile in _The New York Times_ as one of the new guards of Nigerian music. a101

Signed to Chocolate City’s 100 Crowns imprint, his breakthrough EP _Bad Boy Blaq_ (2018) led to a prolific album run: _Sex Over Love_ (2021) featuring Amaarae and Nasty C, _Young Preacher_ (2022) which won Best Rap Album at The Headies, _Emeka Must Shine_ (2023), and _No Excuses_ (2025). 8627

Known as much for his viral marketing and humor, from his anti-love crusade to cosplaying as Wizkid, Asake and Burna Boy in his “Back In Uni” video, Blaqbonez blends hip-hop, Afro-fusion, drill and dancehall into a smooth, melodic flow that has made him West African Rapper of the Year and one of Nigeria’s most daring voices.