I was born on December 31, 1997, on Lagos Island, Nigeria. I spent my early childhood in Surulere,Lagos before relocating to London at the age of eight. After almost two years in the UK, I returned to Nigeria and continued growing up between different places and environments. Looking back, those experiences introduced me to change at an early age and exposed me to different people, cultures, lifestyles and perspectives — experiences that would later become a big part of who I am and how I create.
As a child, I was naturally creative. I had a strong interest in art and drawing, and I spent a lot of time playing video games. That creative side eventually found its way into music. I began taking music seriously in 2016 while at university, but life took me in a different direction and I eventually left my studies. Through the highs and lows that followed, music remained a personal outlet — a way for me to tell my story, process experiences and express things that were sometimes difficult to put into words.
My sound is shaped by a wide range of influences, from Michael Jackson, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, 2Baba, Nas and J. Cole to Burna Boy, Wizkid, Runtown, Drake, Bryson Tiller, The Weeknd and A Boogie wit da Hoodie. I draw from Afrobeats, hip-hop and melodic trap, blending melody, storytelling and real-life experiences to create music that can feel both personal and relatable.
I’ve experienced my share of uncertainty, difficult periods and having to rebuild. Those experiences taught me resilience, gratitude, discipline and the importance of staying focused on becoming better. These values are at the heart of Dark Gerian — a movement built around inspiration, hope, gratitude, focus and determination.