By Ayo Onikoyi

Nigerian rapper and singer, DaBuilda, known for his unique blend of hip-hop and Afrobeats, recently shared a surprising story about one of the most unconventional places he found musical inspiration. The artist, whose hit song ” I Dey Tell You” has gained traction, revealed that the track came to life during a hangout at a local herb joint.

Recalling the experience, DaBuilda said, “The weirdest place was definitely a local herb joint. I was hanging out with some street guys after having some herbs, and we were just vibing. For every line I said, they fed me the next one. Before I knew it, we had a hit song called ” I Dey Tell You.” It was wild, but it worked!”

Beyond his unconventional sources of inspiration, DaBuilda has made waves with his recent collaboration with Nigerian street-pop sensation, Portable. Speaking about how the collaboration came about, the rapper described it as an “act of God.

 “A close friend of mine, Tee Boss, who shares the same passion for music, called me up one day and said I needed to collaborate with Portable. I was like, ‘How can I afford him? Portable was trending, and I knew it would cost millions.’ But Tee Boss surprised me and said he had already paid for it. We hit the studio the next day, met Portable, and the rest, as they say, is history.”

DaBuilda, who has spent years in the underground music scene, emphasized that his journey sets him apart from other artists. “My story. I’ve been in the underground for years, not for money, but for the passion. I’ve never thought of giving up. That journey has shaped my lyrics, delivery, and confidence. I’m not just trying to chase fame—my goal is to make an impact with my music. That makes my sound different, more authentic.”

Afrobeats, the cornerstone of Nigerian music, also plays a significant role in DaBuilda’s artistry. He cites the legendary Fela Anikulapo Kuti as a foundational influence. “Afrobeats has always been the foundation of African music, thanks to the legend Fela. We, the new generation, build on Fela’s legacy—whether it’s soul, R&B, reggae, or rap, Afrobeat is always in there. I deliver my rap over Afrobeat, so I’m not just a hip-hop artist; I’m an Afro hip-hop artist,” DaBuilda explained.