Nigerian rap legend Reminisce reflects on breakthrough album ‘Alaga Ibile’
Nigerian rap icon Reminisce has opened up about his rise to fame, crediting his 2013 album ‘Alaga Ibile’ for catapulting him to stardom. In a recent interview on the I Said What I Said Podcast, Reminisce shared the story of his journey to success.
Reminisce’s sophomore album ‘Alaga Ibile’ sold an impressive 13 million units in Alaba market, a feat that transformed his life. The album spawned hits like ‘Daddy Mi’ featuring Davido and ‘Eleniyan’ featuring Wizkid, solidifying Reminisce’s reputation as Alaga Ibile.
Despite initial struggles with his debut album ‘My Book of Rap Stories’, Reminisce’s subsequent releases cemented his position in Nigerian music history. His third album, ‘Baba Hafusa’, debuted at No. 12 on the Billboard World Chart, making him the first African rapper to achieve this milestone.
Reminisce continued to break records with his fourth album, ‘El Hadj’, which debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard World Album chart. This achievement made him the first African rapper to have two albums on the chart.
Reminisce attributed his success to Alaba market, once Nigeria’s foremost music distribution channel. “Alaba market was instrumental in my success,” he explained. “It was the hub where artists’ works were marketed and distributed nationwide.”
Fast forward to the present, Reminisce is making waves with his latest release, ‘Sui Generis’, a critically acclaimed EP that seamlessly blends hip-hop, fuji, and Afrobeats. The project features collaborations with Vector, BadBoy Timz, and Bhadboi OML, among others.
Reminisce’s enduring legacy serves as a testament to his innovative spirit and dedication to his craft. With a career spanning over a decade, he remains one of Nigeria’s most respected and beloved artists.
