Blaqbonez – Young Preacher
| Stage Name: | Blaqbonez |
| Real Name: | Emeka Akumefule |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Date Of Birth/Age: | 29th January, 1996 (28 years old) |
| State of Origin: | Imo State |
| Gender: | Male |
| Nationality: | Nigerian |
| Marital Status: | Not Married |
| Education: | Obafemi Awolowo University |
| Known for: | Young Preacher |
Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, was born on January 29, 1996, into an Igbo family in Nigeria. Raised in Imo state, in southern Nigeria, Emeka grew up immersed in the rich cultures of both Yoruba and Urhobo, thanks to his Yoruba and Urhobo mixed household.
Musical Discovery and Educational Pursuits
Emeka’s life took a musical turn at the age of 13 when he discovered his rap talent almost by accident. While listening to the radio with his cousin, he was inspired by a 12-year-old rapper’s song. His cousin who enjoyed critiquing rappers encouraged him and, Emeka began crafting his own lyrics.
Despite his parents’ disapproval, Emeka pursued his passion for rap secretly. While studying Computer Engineering at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), he released his debut album, “Hip-Hop in Blaq.”
Family Dynamics and Personal Relationships
Emeka’s family remains relatively private, except for his mother, Pastor Okposio Roseline Akumefule, a former Nollywood actress. She has been a constant presence in the media, reacting to her son’s gestures and occasionally appearing in his content-created videos.
News about Emeka’s father is scarce, which indicates his absence from the family since Emeka’s birth. It’s rumored that he relocated to another country, leaving Emeka and his mother behind.
While details about Emeka’s siblings are unknown, he is recognized for being family-friendly, showcasing love and interaction with his mother.
Accolades and Musical Achievements
Emeka, aka Blaqbonez, delved into the underground rap scene in 2011, winning Terry Tha Rapman’s Zombie Competition in 2012 by outshining 3000 competitors. His breakthrough continued with featuring on Terry’s 2012 mixtape, “Global Domination,” alongside other known Nigerian musicians.
He secured the second position in Vector‘s King Kong competition, and won in Rhythm FM Freestyle Fury, and earned the title of Rhythm FM’s artist of the month. Emeka’s musical journey reached new heights as he was elected Hennessy Vs class captain, he participated in the SoundCity Blast Cypher, and released his third mixtape, the acclaimed “CTAT: Cssette Tapes and Tvs.”
Discography and Record Label
Blaqbonez’s association with Chocolate City’s 100 Crowns imprint has been pivotal to his musical evolution. On August 31, 2018, he released his eighth EP, “Bad Boy Blaq,” as part of the L.A.M.B project, aimed at reviving Nigerian hip-hop. The EP, executively produced by M.I Abaga, was the third installment after M.I. Abaga‘s “A Study on Self Worth: Yxng Dxnzl” in 2018.
In 2019, Blaqbonez released his tenth EP, “Mr. Boombastic,” with a humorous promotional track, “Jesus Is Black (Letter to Kanye West),” urging Kanye West to delay the release of “Jesus Is King.” His popularity soared with the release of the trendy track “Haba” in 2020.
The pinnacle of his musical journey so far has been the release of his album “Sex Over Love” on April 30, 2021. The 14-track album featured collaborations with industry-famous artists.
In 2021, he continued to make waves with the release of “1000 Years” on September 17, showcasing his versatility alongside Cheque. Blaqbonez’s latest album, “Young Preacher,” released in 2023, has made him a household name in the music industry.
Wife and Kids
He is currently unmarried and has no kids.
Net Worth and Luxurious Lifestyle
Blaqbonez’s success in the music industry has translated into significant financial gains, with an estimated net worth exceeding $500,000. Known for his love of luxury cars, he owns a Lexus ES 350 and two Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles. On the day of his debut album release, Blaqbonez was involved in an accident with his Lexus ES 350. You can find him on Instagram.