Mr. Bobzy: “God is Using Me as an Instrument to Speak to my People.”

The early 2000s Nigerian pop scene thrived on diversity. While artistes celebrated life’s pleasures through party anthems and love songs, conscious music from artistes like 2Baba, Eedris Abdulkareem and the late Sound Sultan equally dominated the airwaves, addressing poverty, corruption, and social injustice. That balance has dramatically shifted. Today’s charts overflow with escapist anthems that paint Nigeria as a country frozen in endless jubilation, while the country grapples with unemployment, bad leadership, and systemic failures touching every citizen’s reality.

Against this backdrop, the emergence of fast-rising act Mr. Bobzy feels all the more remarkable. The Imo State artiste, born Obioma Uwazie, has chosen the bold path of building his career on social consciousness rather than commercial conformity. While most upcoming acts chase viral trends for quick traction, Mr. Bobzy channels the fearless spirit of notable Nigerian artistes of yore – like the Mandators – renowned for using their music to confront military rule and social injustice. Like them, he wields his platform to speak truth to power.

Mr. Bobzy’s latest track,  “Revolutionary Message” produced by Boucci Beatz, has hit 100,000 streams on Audiomack with minimal promotion, proving Nigeria still hungers for artistes willing to articulate the frustrations often hidden beneath the surface of celebration. Blending Afropop with conscious messaging, he mirrors the approach of those early voices who balanced entertainment with enlightenment, refusing to let commercial pressures silence his message.

“I chose conscious music because of the artistes I grew up listening to: Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, Fela,” he explains. “Even though some of them are long gone, when you play their songs today, you know you’re hearing real music. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind, music that will still matter even when I’m no longer here.”

But Mr. Bobzy’s artistry goes beyond nostalgia. With his upcoming EP titled “Redefinition,” he’s proving that conscious music can evolve across genres while maintaining its truth-telling core. His approach reflects a philosophy rooted in purpose over profit: “That’s who Mr. Bobzy is: I do music for society, for humanity. This is about purpose for me, not trends,” he says.

In this exclusive conversation with The Nollywood Reporter, Mr. Bobzy talks about his musical journey from church choirs to conscious artistry, the inspiration behind his song, “Revolutionary Message,” why he chose activism over commercial appeal, and what listeners can expect from his genre-blending approach to social commentary.

TNR: Tell us about Mr. Bobzy – where did you grow up, what’s your real name, and what experiences shaped you into the artiste we’re hearing today?

Mr. Bobzy: Thank you very much. First of all, my real name is Obioma Uwazie, and I’m from Obowo LGA in Imo State, Nigeria. Mr. Bobzy is all about music, good music.

My journey into music started in the church. I grew up Catholic and, as a kid, I began singing during Block Rosary gatherings (that’s a gathering for children in the Catholic faith). From there, I moved on to the main church choir, where I sang for a long time. Eventually, in 2008—about 17 years ago—I began pursuing music professionally. That’s really how my story began.

Who are your musical influences, both Nigerian and international? How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard you before?

I’ll say R. Kelly, because he’s someone I grew up listening to a lot as a kid. Apart from the gospel, which was my foundation, I really loved listening to him. On the gospel side, I also admired people like Gozie Okeke and Rosemary Chukwu back in the day.

But when I started doing music professionally, I realized something important that you don’t have to sound like your influences. They can inspire you, but the key is discovering your own sound. That’s what I’ve focused on.

Since I started in the church, my parents, especially my mom, really wanted me to go fully into the gospel. But as an artiste, I’ve always had some activism in me. I don’t like to box myself in. That’s why I prefer to call what I do Christian music rather than just gospel, because it doesn’t always have to mention “Jesus” or “God” to carry that message.

At the same time, I also wanted to address societal issues and create revolutionary music. So I balance both worlds, I do gospel, and I also do secular. That’s why R. Kelly really inspired me: he could do Dancehall, Reggae, R&B, and gospel as well. That versatility shaped me, and it’s the kind of path I’ve chosen for myself.

When it comes to my sound, I’ll describe it as Afropop, or hiplife, as some people like to call it. Basically, I do Afrobeats, but with a strong hiplife influence, and I like to blend elements from different genres together. So yes, I’d say Afropop best captures what I do.

Walk us through how you create music – do you write from personal experience or observation? How do you turn social issues into songs that people actually want to listen to?

I’d say it’s a mix of both. I write from personal experience, but also from my drive and inspiration in the moment. Most times, the songs just come to me unexpectedly. For example, with my recent release, I was actually working on my EP, which I’ve now suspended, when the idea came. And when that kind of inspiration hits, it comes with so much force that you can’t rest until you bring it to life.

So yes, I write from personal experiences, but I can also create music from situations I’ve only observed or imagined. Even if I haven’t lived through what I’m singing about, I can still shape it into something meaningful. At the end of the day, what matters is making sure the music connects and makes sense to people.

In a landscape dominated by party music and love songs, why did you choose to make socially conscious music as an upcoming artiste? Wasn’t that a risky path?

Many people create music for various reasons. For many, it’s purely business, they just want to make quick money, and it doesn’t matter whether the songs they release are evergreen or not.

For me, it’s different. I chose conscious music because of the artistes I grew up listening to: Bob Marley, Lucky Dube, and Fela. Even though some of them are long gone, when you play their songs today, you know you’re hearing real music. That’s the kind of legacy I want to leave behind, music that will still matter even when I’m no longer here.

The passion is what drives me. I’ve been doing music for 17 years, and I’m not thinking of quitting anytime soon, whether or not I’m getting all the rewards I deserve. As long as my voice is intact, I’ll keep going.

That’s who Mr. Bobzy is: I do music for society, for humanity. This isn’t about trends for me, it’s about purpose.

Your lyrics are pretty direct about Nigeria’s problems. Some might call this confrontational – how do you respond to that?

The truth is, no matter what you do, people will always talk. I’ve got a high percentage of people who commend me and say, “Guy, you’re saying exactly what’s on our minds.” But of course, in every twelve, there must be a Judas, that’s life.

I’ve been doing music for 17 years, and with that experience, I’ve learned not to let criticism shake me. What matters is the message. I don’t just throw words around carelessly, I make sure that when I address issues in my songs, I’m speaking to those in leadership, to the people responsible for change. I don’t attack individuals directly; I address the government and those who aren’t doing what they’re supposed to do.

Some people claim to want revolutionary music, yet you’ll often see them dancing to the latest Afrobeats hits. That’s just how it is. So, for me, I’m prepared for both commendation and criticism. I take them as part of the journey. It doesn’t get to me because I know the purpose behind my music.

“Revolutionary Message” just hit 100,000 plays on Audiomack. Can you walk us through what drove you to write this song and what this milestone means to you?

Thank you very much. Like I mentioned earlier, I was actually working on an EP. I had already recorded several songs and was continuing to record more. But “Revolutionary Message” came to me differently.

I believe a significant portion of Nigerians are fed up with the actions our government is taking against us. Every day, you hear people ranting, complaining, and talking about how bad things have become. It feels like each time one leader leaves, the next comes in and does worse. Every Nigerian can attest to the fact that the state of the country today is extremely poor.

Many people have something to say, but the problem is how to express it. Luckily for me, I’m an artiste. This burden was heavy on me until one day in June when the inspiration came like a message: “You have to do something.” And when it came, it came with force. I had to abandon everything else and focus on it.

Funny enough, I stumbled on a beat on TikTok that inspired me immediately. I reached out to the producer, but the price was in dollars, and I thought, “Ah, we’re Africans, why this?” (laughs). Since it wasn’t working out, I sent my idea to one of my own producers and told him, “Look, this is what I want to do, this is the melody, this is the direction.” Within 24 to 48 hours, he sent the finished track back to me. And just like that, the song was born, in less than 30 minutes of writing.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t even spent serious money promoting it. The little I’ve done can’t even be called promotion. But the way people connected with it confirmed that this was the right song at the right time.

Now, seeing it hit 100,000 streams on Audiomack, every time I wake up, check my phone, and see the comments and plays climbing, I just say, “Thank you, God.” I know He’s using me as an instrument to speak to my people, and I’m grateful for that. For me, it’s not just numbers; it’s a sign that the message is reaching people.

Are you currently affiliated with any record label, or are you pursuing your career independently?

I’m independent. There was a time I was actively looking to get signed, but my perspective has changed over the years.

Now, I’m not really expecting it, but if a good opportunity comes my way, I won’t turn it down. I’ve been in the industry long enough to know that some labels truly are serious. If the right people approach me with something suitable, I’ll definitely work with them. For me, it’s all about growth.

Are there any specific producers you’re dying to work with?

Yes, Masterkraft and Selebobo. Anytime I hear their beats, something just clicks. The relationship between an artiste and a producer is compelling. Sometimes you come across a producer whose sound connects with you so deeply that every beat they create feels like something you want to jump on. That’s how it is for me with these two.

Which Nigerian or international artistes would you love to collaborate with and why?

So far, most of my collaborations have been with rap artistes more than singers, probably because, as a singer, I really love rappers. Anytime I’ve featured a rapper, it’s because I genuinely love what they do and feel they can add something powerful to my music.

If you ask me about who I’d love to work with, Phyno comes first. I really love his style, and I feel like if I bring the singing part and he brings his rap, it will go crazy. I also respect MI Abaga a lot and would love to work with him, too.

On the business side of things, I’d definitely love to collaborate with artistes like Flavour, Timaya, and 2Baba, legends who have kept the game strong for years. And then there’s Chike. His music really inspires me, and I feel like a collaboration between us would be something special.

Honestly, there are so many artistes I admire, both in Nigeria and internationally. If the opportunity comes, I’ll dive right in.

Where do you see Mr. Bobzy in the next few years? What legacy do you want to leave through your music?

I’ve always seen myself as a big artiste. I believe I carry something unique inside me, and I see myself travelling around the world, spreading that message through my music. In the next few years, I see Mr. Bobzy as a global name, an artiste recognized not just in Nigeria but everywhere.

For legacy, I want my music to stand as proof that dreams are valid no matter where you come from. I want to be remembered as someone who used his gift to inspire, to connect people, and to leave behind songs that will still mean something years from now.

Can you share details about any upcoming projects your fans should look forward to?

I’m currently working on an EP, a six-track project titled Redefinition. I gave it that title because most people don’t fully understand me or my music yet. If you check my music profile on streaming platforms, you’ll see gospel songs, highlife songs, and other different sounds. This often makes people ask me questions like, “Why don’t you just stick to gospel?” Some others say, “Your voice is too good for gospel, why not focus on it?” Others want me to keep doing revolutionary songs.

But I’m trying to redefine everything, to show people that you can do different genres and still be true to yourself. It mustn’t always be that one artiste only sticks to one lane, like love songs only, or gospel only. I want to prove that you can create across sounds and still have your identity intact.

On this project, I have a mix of different styles. For example, one track is a big Afrobeat/Amapiano vibe with no specific language, while another is pure Nigerian highlife. The contrast shows that the same person can express different sounds at a high level. I want listeners to be able to play my EP and find variety, not hear the same kind of beat, lyrics, and mood from track one to six.

So, Redefinition is me reshaping how people see my artistry. It’s about giving listeners multiple experiences in one project, while still keeping it uniquely Mr. Bobzy.