TWO YEARS OF ‘BLESSED’
CELEBRATING THE LIGHT AND LEGACY OF MOHBAD
Two years ago, Mohbad released what would become his final gift to the world. the Blessed EP.
Born Oladimeji Ilerioluwa Aloba, Mohbad rose from the streets of Lagos to become one of Afropop’s most promising voices. His journey was not paved with privilege, but with talent, relentless hustle, and a deep connection to the realities of everyday life. He didn’t just sing about struggle and hope, he lived it. And that’s what made him real.
Blessed marked a turning point in Mohbad’s journey. While his early hits like “KPK” lit up clubs and playlists during a global lockdown, Blessed revealed the full scope of his artistry.
Across eight tracks, Mohbad showed us his world, and we felt it. He wasn’t just the “everyman” anymore. He was a ghetto preacher, a romantic, a griot. His baritone carried the weight of his experiences, and his lyrics, always unfiltered, yet never lost the groove that made you move, gave voice to those who often go unheard.
His chemistry with Bella Shmurda on “Pariwo” and Zlatan on “Account Balance” added sparks of camaraderie and energy, reminding fans of the bond he shared with his peers.
Blessed proved that Mohbad wasn’t afraid to evolve. He was finding his voice, refining his sound, and stepping into his power until time ran out.
“There’s no neat resolution to his life; he could’ve written so many more chapters if he had more time. However, his work is a testament that he lived as best as he could. In a sense, he’s found the light.” – Dennis Ade Peter
Mohbad called himself Imole, meaning “light”, and that’s exactly what he was. Bright, bold, and unmissable. Though he’s gone, his music remains a flame that still burns in the hearts of those who knew his name, his voice, and his story.
As we mark two years since the release of Blessed, we celebrate the legacy of an artist who gave everything to his craft, so play his music loud. Share your favourite lyrics.
Remember Mohbad. Remember the light.
MOHBAD – BLESSED: A Track-by-Track Remembrance (One Year Later)
“Blessed” embodied the baritone yet soulful vocals and reflective nature that Mohbad brought to his music. Here, he dived into his personal life and shared his self-belief and stories of overcoming limitations. He maintained the hunger of a debuting boxer with something to prove, leaving everything on the table by the song’s end.
Though Mohbad himself is no longer here, his music lives on. “Blessed” remains a connection to his struggles, triumphs, and aspirations. As “Blessed” celebrates its first anniversary, we remember the late Mohbad’s captivating baritone voice. He drew listeners in with his groovy lyrics and ensured his messages stayed with you, which set him apart from his peers.
Tracklisting Breakdown
1. Beast & Peace:
Our journey through “Blessed” began with “Beast & Peace,” where a drum roll production welcomed the listener into Mohbad’s world. This confident and celebratory track chronicled his success. He detailed his rise to fame, addressing his critics, highlighting the highs and lows of his journey, and expressing gratitude to his loved ones. Mohbad’s vocals swelled with appreciation, wielding bars in both Yoruba and English.
2. Sabi:
One of Mohbad’s core strengths was his distinctive baritone. He balanced this with crafting undeniably catchy songs. “Sabi” perfectly exemplified this. Here, he celebrated his songwriting prowess and his ability to rise above limitations.
3. Account Balance (feat. Zlatan):
Mohbad and Zlatan were the dynamic duo we didn’t get to experience more of. They brought energy into the street pop format. “Account Balance” departed from the mid-tempo of the previous tracks, embracing a more dance-oriented style with an amapiano log drum rhythm.
4. Omo Mi:
“Love your neighbor As you love yourself So I loved her the way I loved myself” “Omo Mi” expressed the feeling of being in love with someone whose energy matched yours. Mohbad celebrated love and trust in this relationship, highlighting his love interest’s ability to see beyond material possessions.
5. Blessing:
“Doctor want you sick/Lawyer want you in trouble/Na only thief dey pray make you dey successful” (Only a thief prays for your success)
On “Blessing,” Mohbad wore the hat of a Ghetto Gospel Prophet on blessings, he ensured that the song was as catchy as it could be while retaining the message. Blessing is a song fueled by the stubborn will to continue; to keep moving. The song is inspired by those who are burdened and suffer silently but still put one foot in front of the other every day to get to the finish line.
6. La Pio Pio:
The more things change, the more they remain the same. The song acknowledged Nigeria’s persistent economic struggles, which limited the average citizen. In these turbulent times, people sought solace and escape. “La Pio Pio” continues to encourage listeners to celebrate the good times, to find moments of joy and to dance their troubles away, even if it is temporary.
7. Ask About Me:
“Ask About Me” discussed the challenges he faced. He remained undeterred with the line “Omo Olorun Kole su mi” (meaning “God’s child cannot be brought down”). This upbeat and energetic track blended amapiano production with Mohbad’s signature baritone and choir backup vocals. The catchy horns and escalating production would have had you grooving to the rhythm.
8. Pariwo (feat. Bella Shmurda):
For the closing track, “Pariwo,” Mohbad united with Bella Shmurda. Together, they expressed gratitude for their artistic journey while remaining focused on their goals, undeterred by distractions. Their synergy and camaraderie shone through in this final offering.
As we celebrate the first anniversary of this EP, Mohbad’s music continues to inspire and uplift. His legacy lives on through the fans he connected with and the music that continues to move us all.
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