As BLS_BROKELESS’ new EP, titled #ForBelievers, nears its release date, here is a perspective on what it truly signifies artistically and culturally. It is not just for BLS_BROKELESS himself, but for every independent artiste across Africa.
By Deji Obasa
Within Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment community lies a distinct area blessed with a rich history that has significantly contributed to the nation’s entertainment and promotional landscape.
Shibiri-Ojo, a town and local government area in the Badagry Division of Lagos State, is home to notable landmarks such as Lagos State University (LASU) and the Alaba International Market, Nigeria’s largest electronics market.
Within this community, several notable careers were birthed, transnational partnerships were forged, multimillion-dollar deals were brokered, and, interestingly, BLS_BROKELESS began his music journey.
It was here, on Ariyo Street within Iyana Cele, that the young recording artiste, BLS_BROKELESS—whose real name is Steven Obus Okukubor—was raised.
BLS_BROKELESS attributes his sense of accountability to his upbringing by his aunty in Ojo Alaba. Over the years, he has continued to chronicle his life story through music that captures his upbringing, rise to success, and the carving of his own lane as an independent recording artiste.
He began his educational journey at Children of God Nursery and Primary School before switching schools in Primary 4 to attend Community Government School in the Santana-Ilogbo axis.
After graduating from Community Government School, he continued his secondary education at Creative College.
“Music is the one thing I love most. I started dreaming of music in my early teens when I was still living with my aunty, who became my mother,” he recalled.
Obus was just three years old when he lost his biological mother to a tragic fire incident. He and his siblings were soon relocated to live with his mother’s sister in Lagos.
The Rise of BLS_BROKELESS
Obus Okukubor, also known as BLS_BROKELESS, rose to music stardom at a young age. After releasing a series of freestyles, music skits, and amateur performances, his brand began to gain traction.
“Next thing you know, we’re getting goosebumps from watching music videos or shows, or just listening to songs after recording,” Obus said during a 2024 online interaction with fans while talking about his music journey—perhaps inadvertently foretelling an even brighter future.
His road to stardom mirrors that of many in the entertainment industry. They are often handed nothing but disappointments, yet their faith in God gives them a way out of conditions many wouldn’t survive.
“I did a lot of odd jobs—worked at pure water companies, did kaya, hawked pure water, hawked plantain, packed dirt, ironed condemned clothes, and worked with some importers and exporters to offload containers full of London-used goods at Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos. Finally, I decided to commit myself to music.”
Someone who can relate well to Obus’ journey is Merica Entertainment’s A&R executive, Andrew Efoghe.
“What’s it like to chase music ambitions in Lagos—starting off broke, clueless, and without any support?” asks Deji Obasa of GODSPOWERPROJECT in a conversation with the veteran A&R executive, who has worked closely with BLS_BROKELESS and other notable celebrities.
“Well, it’s safe to say that BLS_BROKELESS ranks among our favorite independent recording artistes,” Andrew said, “especially given his tenacity and sheer determination to succeed in the music industry despite little or no external support.”
Andrew himself, before becoming a music executive, grew up in Iju, Lagos, and went on to crisscross the city in pursuit of discovering his ultimate superstar. He witnessed the rise of stars like Terry G, Bella Shmurda, and Tee Famous, among others, and contributed his quota to the growth of several entertainment communities.
“We would go to studios to observe their best talents, create networks of artistes, managers, publicists, events and party hosts, and then promote them all. We started out without a plan, but over time, we began to see streaks of light at the end of the tunnel.”
Andrew says Obus Okukubor’s journey was tougher.
“BLS_BROKELESS didn’t come from a place of advantage,” he emphasized.
“He was basically running around lost, trying to find his way.”
Trek Africa Newspaper Publisher turned LASTMA Mayor, Oki Samson Mckinggs, is familiar with the history of Lagos entertainment communities, especially the industry’s vibrant allure and the challenges that many face in densely populated, lower-class neighborhoods. He has hosted his Trek Africa Awards events since the 2010s.
“When you attain a certain level of progress within these communities, it’s a badge of honor, and you become a symbol of hope to others coming after,” he said.
Alaba was home to Africa’s biggest entertainment promotion business, which helped usher in a wave of globally renowned events and entertainers across music, comedy, dance, and even technology—creating a platform for unknown talents to become global icons.
A major inspiration for Obus Okukubor’s musical aspirations when he first arrived in Lagos was Felix Ejoor of blessed memory—his aunty’s son, popularly known as Feco-G in the Iyana Cele and Ojo Alaba areas.
Felix Ejoor was also a musician who headlined many concerts around Ojo-Alaba International, Iyana Cele, and surrounding locations. He was a superstar. They called him Feco-G, but his real name was Felix Ejoor.
Over time, the cultural and physical structures that once held these communities together began to collapse. One by one, the original systems and values suffered demolition and decay. But before the state began demolishing the storied buildings that Alaba was known for, the community had already raised several generations of global superstars.
Even though the buildings and the hustle and bustle are mostly gone now, there’s still a deep connection to what Alaba represents to this very day.
Some areas of Ojo Alaba remain entertainment-inclined even now.
Engraced for Success
From Andrew Efoghe to Oki Samson and Ife Ajagbe of Symphonic Africa, entertainment veterans have observed how Obus Okukubor steadily groomed his BLS_BROKELESS brand over the years. Industry bigwigs who were at the top of their game watched his growth with admiration.
Obus Okukubor: Success Didn’t Come Overnight
“He had an uncommon talent,” Andrew noted. “So he had to devise an uncommon strategy to put himself in a position of advantage—not just to be heard, but more importantly, to be understood.”
In a very short time, BLS_BROKELESS’ sound caught the attention of major music executives.
“His voice and content were unique—it was like a departure from traditional Afrobeats, sort of a fusion between Runtown and Future,” said Ovie Cohen, CEO of Pidgin Radio.
He described him as “one of the most unpopular yet influential Afrobeats superstars in recent times. With his consistency, he’ll definitely keep growing in leaps and bounds.”
His journey to success is rooted in divinely inspired connections and decisions he made from the beginning.
BLS_BROKELESS briefly left Lagos at the age of 16 for Sapele and Jesse Town at the invitation of his elder brother, Festus Okukubor, who lived on Shell Road, Sapele.
While in Jesse Town, he came across a music group, The GSSS, consisting of twin brothers and a friend who worked as a team. They had more musical experience, so he learned from them, adding to the knowledge he had already gained from his aunty’s son, Felix Ejoor (Feco-G).
BLS_BROKELESS credits all these divinely ordained encounters as instrumental in shaping him into the skilled singer he is becoming.
Building the BLS_BROKELESS Empire
Obus’ first studio experience was in 2020 at Danzil Studios, where he first met Debanjo Vibes, and their working relationship clicked.
He officially embarked on his musical career in 2020, releasing a series of projects such as Money, Your Something, Wife Material, and For Lagos.
In 2023, he collaborated with musical taliban Oritse Femi on Street Vibes.
That same year, he worked with music producer Ajura to release For Lagos, which gained him significant attention and accolades.
Without prejudice to his other projects, Obus achieved his first mainstream recognition in 2023 with Street Vibes featuring Oritse Femi, alongside cameo appearances in music videos and skits.
By 2024, he had already amassed a strong listenership for his freestyles, releasing them on free and digital platforms to a fast-growing fan base.
BLS_BROKELESS has produced four EPs: Street Vibes (featuring Sunny B and Oritse Femi), Next Level (featuring Debanjo Vibes, Ajura, and GCN), For Lagos (featuring Ajura and GCN), and Disappointment Leads to Blessings.
GODSPOWERPROJECT and music enthusiasts worldwide continue to watch the evolution of BLS_BROKELESS—from just another regular face in the crowd to a force to reckon with in the music industry—representing a symbol of resilient hope in God for independent artistes.
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