What’s your stage name and where are you from?
My stage name is SHOLZ KIBINA. I come from a small village called Trofani in Bayelsa, Nigeria, but I grew up in the entertainment capital of Lagos, Nigeria.
What’s the story behind your stage name?
I had been going by Sholz for a while, but I wanted to stand out more—there were other artists called “Sholz.” So, I added Kibina for my Ijaw heritage, seeing as Sholz covers the Yoruba side. It also sounded cool.
Describe your musical journey in three sentences.
Unexpected—that’s the first thing that comes to mind. From the first time I got on a mic, no one thought I would sound good, myself included. Ever since then, it’s been an exciting journey of exploring the unexpected and making new discoveries along the way.
Share an interesting experience you had while creating your latest track.
Before I made my last track, I spoke to my cousin who has made music videos for some well-established artists. Long story short, he told me that music is like a lottery and the chances of making it are slim to none. I bought my microphone the next day—guess that makes me a degenerate gambler.
What message do you want to convey through your music?
It’s ok to have fun, and it’s ok to be serious. At the end of the day, life is not that deep. I make songs that elicit a variety of emotions because I experience a wide range of things. If one person can relate and feel seen, then great.
Tell us about a challenge you faced during production and how you overcame it.
I lost the recordings for a demo I made over a year ago and unfortunately didn’t write it down. I had to re-record it from memory. It ended up becoming a different song, but in my opinion, a better one.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
For me, it would be between Dave and Burna Boy, but I’d have to go with Burna Boy. I feel like he would take my artistry to a new level, and we can do something unexpected.
Where do you see your music taking you in the next year?
The realist and dreamer are fighting over this question, but I can see myself performing for a small crowd as we sing “line by line.”
What’s the next big step for you as an artist?
Building a strong and reliable fan base.
We occasionally feature artists on our Bird of Paradise Podcast for in-depth discussions. Would this be something you’re interested in exploring?
Yes.
Are there any other promotional opportunities you’re looking for to boost your visibility?
Yes, I’m looking for shows and open mics—anything that can put me out there in front of the masses and showcase why they should listen.
Where can we hear/watch your most recent work?
I’m available on the most popular music streaming platforms as SHOLZ KIBINA.
What is the best way to contact you if fans want to give feedback or if other artists/producers want to collaborate?
The best way would be via email: sholzkibina@gmail.com.
