It’s been a minute since we tapped into Nigeria for our Women in African Hip-hop series. In fact, we had only been there once before, so it felt right to revisit the country and reconnect with the energy coming out of one of Africa’s most influential music scenes. While chopping it up with one of my Nigerian connects about artists pushing culture forward, I asked him to put me onto something fresh – somebody different, somebody dope, somebody I probably hadn’t fully tapped into yet. One name kept coming up in the conversation: Bella Alubo.
Curiously enough, I immediately jumped onto Spotify to see what the hype was about. What I discovered was an artist who refuses to be boxed into one sound. Bella Alubo isn’t necessarily a hardcore rapper in the traditional sense, but she’s a genre-bending creative whose work constantly intersects with hip-hop culture. From the collaborations she chooses to the stories she tells, hip-hop lives within her artistry. Then I landed on her 2023 project, Lagos 101, and suddenly everything made sense. That project carries strong hip-hop energy, making her a perfect fit for this conversation and another important voice in Women in African Hip-hop.
This is an artist who has shared creative spaces with names like Ycee, The Notorious B.I.G., Mr Eazi, Sho Madjozi, Niniola, Falz and Ty Dolla $ign, just to name a few. That alone tells you the level she operates on. In 2025, she celebrated 10 years in the game – a major milestone that speaks to consistency, reinvention and staying power in an industry that constantly evolves.
When conversations around women shaping the future of African music happen, Bella Alubo deserves to be mentioned among the leaders of that movement. The Nigerian singer, songwriter and creative has built her career through authenticity, fearless experimentation and a refusal to follow trends. Instead, she created her own lane – one rooted in storytelling, emotion and artistic freedom. Whether she’s blending hip-hop with R&B, Afro-fusion, soul or alternative sounds, Bella continues to prove that versatility can still feel intentional and authentic.
Her discography reflects that growth clearly. Projects like Bella Buffet, Sunsets in Lagos, Love is War and Lagos 101 showcase different layers of her artistry while maintaining the honesty that makes listeners connect with her music. She explores themes of love, identity, independence, relationships and self-discovery without sounding forced or calculated. That emotional transparency is part of what makes her stand out in today’s African music landscape.
Beyond the music, Bella Alubo represents a generation of African women artists who are refusing to be limited by expectations. She moves with the confidence of someone who understands exactly who she is creatively, while continuing to challenge the boundaries placed on women within music spaces. Every project, every collaboration and every performance feels intentional, proving that artistry can evolve without losing identity.
As African hip-hop and alternative music continue expanding globally, Bella Alubo’s contribution remains important. She represents the new era of multidimensional African creatives – artists who are experimental, culturally aware and unapologetically themselves. African music continues to dominate global conversations because of artists willing to take risks, and Bella Alubo is one of those artists.
At HYPE magazine, celebrating greatness has always been part of the mission, and Bella Alubo’s journey deserves every bit of recognition.