It is every musician’s dream for their music to be well-received by listeners and by so doing, help establish a connection between them whereby the listener becomes a fan of the artiste, giving them their full support whenever it is required be it for new releases, concert shows, brand endorsements or a clash with another musician. Notjustok’s Fan Affairs is a fun series that examines the relationship of Nigerian musicians and their fans while spotlighting the craziest fan moments of our favourite stars.
Fan Affairs with Bella Shmurda: When did it first hit you that you had fans, president of Dangbana Republik and all that?
I had this song, Dangbana Orisa, when I released it, the love was massive. Everybody was loving it, that’s when I knew I really had people behind me.
I felt blessed and graced cause not everyone has that opportunity. For me to be here, doing mad things and people loving it, I feel blessed.
What are some things you no longer do or some places you no longer frequent after this happened?
First of all, my school, I don’t really go to my school anymore. Then there are some places I used to go back then in my hood where I used to go and enjoy myself, I can’t go there anymore.
Fan Affairs with Bella Shmurda: What is the craziest or most memorable thing a fan has ever done to get your attention?
A fan had to come and knock on my door.
On your house door?
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Yes, my house door gan gan gan gan, that they want to take pictures, men it was crazy. I don’t know how they escaped all the security at my estate that they had to come and knock at my door, it was crazy. But I had to do it for them, I had to take pictures and all of that so shout out to all of them.
Tell us more details, what time in your career did it happen and was it more than one person?
They were 5 people actually– 2 guys, 3 girls. But I could handle it, it’s just to share love, try to be friendly enough. My guys were around so we could take their pictures and enjoy ourselves. I think this was after Cash App when Hallelu was hot. They were like ‘Yoo, we’ve been looking for you, we must take picture. They say na your house be dis, this-that.’
If you were going to have a fan moment, what celebrity do you think would leave you starstruck?
I think Olamide Baddoo, I’ve always cherished him, he’s a king. So anytime I’m around him, I always feel like a fan. So him majorly, and myself.
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When people come to you and tell you that they are Dangbana Republikans, do you have any methods of verifying their claims of being fans?
Well anybody can be a Republikan. I don’t ask them anything, I just try to take pictures, make them smile and all.
Fan Affairs with Bella Shmurda: What’s one country other than Nigeria you have a lot of fans in and can’t wait to perform at?
I think I have a lot of them in Ghana, Kenya, in South Africa. Ukraine too, cause when I went to perform there, it was like a concert and it was crazy.
So if you could pick only one location– your PR says you have in London as well, for your next out of country performance, which would it be?
I’ll go with Gracey– London.
If you enjoyed Fan Affairs with Bella Shmurda, make sure to check Notjustok.com every Tuesday, as we’ll be sure to bring you more authentic stories from all your favorite music stars. You can also stream Bella Shmurda’s High Tension 2.0 EP here.
