Afro-urban music artist, Malex Betaboi, has tasked Nigerians not to give up in the face of current hardships, urging citizens to embrace resilience and hope as tools for survival.
Betaboi gave the charge in Jos during an interview with journalists, where he said his music is centred on turning pain to purpose.
The Betterboi Mission Worldwide act said his songs, though personal, are meant to start a larger conversation about the silent struggles of everyday Nigerians.
“Like ‘If You Know’ – Anyman ft Lyta and many others, I will want them to start a conversation about the struggles people face behind the scenes and the importance of never giving up, no matter where you come from,” he said.
The Gboko, Benue State-born singer described music as “my passion, my story, and my way of connecting with people,” noting that his childhood passion has now grown into a full career with a global ambition.
He described his sound as urban Afro with catchy melodies laced with English and Pidgin, adding that his uniqueness lies in “my voice, the honesty and stories behind my music.”
“My biggest influence is life itself – my experiences, struggles, relationships and the people I’ve met,” he said.
According to him, his songwriting usually starts with a feeling, an idea or a beat, and once he gets the hook, he builds the story around it. He said his song ‘If You Know’ is special to him because “it tells the story behind the person people see today.”
Betaboi said his recent EP, ‘Pain & Purpose’, was put together to inspire hope.
“Pain is not the end of the story. There is always hope and purpose beyond it,” he said.
He explained that many listeners assume his songs are only about pain or heartbreak, but they are actually about resilience.
“People might think some of my songs are only about pain or heartbreak because of the lyrics. But it’s actually about my real-life experiences, resilience, and how I’m turning my pain into purpose,” he stated.
On the realities of the Nigerian music industry, the artist said talent alone is not enough.
“Talent alone isn’t enough. You need branding, marketing, consistency, good relationships and business sense,” he said, adding that the harsh economy has affected production and promotion costs.
“Everything has become more expensive, from production to promotion. It has taught me to budget better and be more strategic,” he noted.
He said he has remained authentic by ensuring his brand reflects his true identity.
“I make sure the brand reflects who I really am. Create with a mindset that carries my identity, while still staying close to the trend to some extent,” he said.
On whether artists should speak on social and political issues, he said they should do so only when driven by genuine concern.
“Yes, if they genuinely care about the issue. But I believe artists should speak from understanding and authenticity, not pressure,” he said.
Betaboi said fans should expect more music, visuals, performances and a bigger brand in the coming months.
He also announced his forthcoming single, ‘Delilah’, slated for release on September 25th under Betterboi Mission Worldwide.
On how he deals with creative blocks, he said: “I take a break and allow myself to reset. I don’t believe in forcing creativity.”
