Germany-based Nigerian singer, Bello Sheriff, fondly known as Bello Sisqo, has revealed why Europeans accepted him and love his music.

Born in Bama Local Government Area of Borno state, Bello Sisqo grew up in Kano, where he had his education. The passion to become an entertainer burnt so fiercely in him, so much so that he became a dancer at a very young age. The Afrobeats artiste later became a dance instructor in films produced by veteran actors, Ali Nuhu, and Adam Zango. The ‘Banza Ne’ crooner did not lose the appetite to become a singer—an ambition he courageously launched after honing his skill.

Bello Sisqo moved to Germany in 2015, after collaborating with ‘Chizo Germany’, another singer from the north, and Bobo, a social media influencer, on “Fada Da Gaskiya”. The track became the hit that propelled his career. In a recent interview, he disclosed how his music career took off in the Western European nation and why he has been successful, despite deploying pidgin English in his lyrics and use of the Hausa language.

“It was the song that shot me to limelight and with support from Chizo Germany I travelled to Germany where I continued with my entertainment pursuit. As an entertainer with a rich cultural background, I was taken like a brother by some Germans who I came to relate with as friends. They have accommodated me since 2015. I got a job as a dance tutor where I coached Hausa traditional dance steps and those of other African cultures. After that, I and Chizo began to record songs in Hausa”, he recalled.

“In Europe people respect you when you dearly hold onto your culture. Though we reside in Germany, we never cease to sing our songs in Hausa and still make impact and waves. We have earned respect and adoration from the Europeans and other Africans. That is why we have been able to make it in Europe and still remain there”.

Bello Sisqo has a catalogue of hit singles, captured on some of the creative music videos by any Nigerian singer. The singing sensation puts a lot of excellence in his visuals, such as choreography, quality, and dance works—echoing his past profile as a dance instructor. In 2020, he released the official video for “Aisha”, featuring Chizo_1_Germany. In 2021, he dropped the official video for “Fati – Wakar Da Akayi A Turai” in which he featured Hamish Breaker. In November 2021, the music composer released the video for “Your Body Bam Bam”, in which he featured Singah, as well as visuals for “Kyakkyawa”, featuring Chiara Damico. In September 2022, he also released visuals for “Were you dey”, featuring Jizzle, before dropping that of –“Banza Ne”.

In spite of building his career away from his home country, Bello Sisqo has a robust professional relationship with colleagues from Nigeria. In March last year, he was on the stage at PSquare’s concert in Munich, Germany.

“We have very strong cordial relationships. Though residing in Germany, I still see myself as a Nigerian doing the Nigerian thing in Europe. As mentioned earlier, I have done several works with Nigerian artistes; both those in Lagos and those from the Northern part. This I think is an indicator of the cordial relationship I have with the Nigerian entertainment industry. The industry has been very supportive and encouraging and I believe the gesture extended to me has been a uniform approach to all artistes in the nation and beyond because I have done songs with other African artistes as well.

For his enormous talent, Bello Sisqo has been rewarded recognised both home and on the international front. He has won Best Artiste in Northern Nigeria Award, Best Music Video of the Year Award in 2021, “Best EU Artiste Award”, among others.