Shagba, the rapper, is one of the pivotal voices in the Anti World Gangstars (AWG) collective, defining the sound of Abuja Hip-Hop. A creative in constant motion, Shagba is focused on moving with the times while fighting to keep his unique identity intact.
We caught up with Shagba to discuss the tough realities of the Abuja music scene, the artist who inspires him to completely rebrand, and his ambitious plans to step into the world of film.
The Reality Check: Abuja and the Resource Struggle
Shagba is clear about his identity: “My name is Shagba I’m an artist and I am also part of the AWG collective and I am a rapper.” However, building that brand in the nation’s capital comes with a unique set of obstacles.
He pinpoints the lack of foundational support as the main non-creative challenge:
“Well in Abuja everything is hard ‘coz the space is not that big and everyone is struggling, so I would say lack of structure.”
This infrastructural hurdle translates directly into the creative process. He notes that today, with the explosion of new talent, there are very few resources available to help creatives reach greatness.
“I would say like very few resources are available to creatives these days ‘coz it’s a lot of creatives out right now and you need resources to create greatness.”
The Art of the Pivot: Identity vs. Trend
Since joining the music space in 2016, Shagba has navigated the shifting landscape of Nigerian music, where his genre-blending sound (Alte, Afrobeats, Hip-Hop) is a constant work in progress.
“I’m moving with the times which is hard as easy as it sounds because there is struggle not to lose your identity while doing that.”
Looking back at his early work, he rates it an “E for effort,” a humbling score that taught him the fundamental lesson: “just get better at your p [profession].”
This desire for evolution is so strong that Shagba is open to a complete creative overhaul, citing one of Afrobeats’ most successful chameleons as his inspiration:
“I will go the whole nine yards, even change my name and looks [😂]. ASAKE is my number one inspo.“
Looking Forward: From Rap to the Camera
While Shagba is focused on releasing music, his vision extends far beyond the booth. Like many multi-talented creatives today, he sees the future in multiple lanes:
“Maybe movies and content creation or TV—something in that line I suppose.”
WASHING MACHINE OUT ON THE 22nd pic.twitter.com/KKizrCYWFI
— DREAMCHASER (@Supershagba) November 12, 2025
For those who are eagerly waiting for his next major release, Shagba has good news: he is sitting on a wealth of completed material.
“Yeah, I have two EPs ready and I am trying to record a full body of work.”
And when it comes to his personal favorite track—the one that truly defines his sound—the world hasn’t heard it yet. “I haven’t Recorded it yet but I have written it, so fingers crossed it would be out soon.”
Advice from the Hustle
Having navigated the struggle of the independent Abuja scene, Shagba’s most crucial advice to upcoming Nigerian musicians who are trying to find their unique voice is a simple mantra of perseverance:
“Believe—just believe. Keep pushing.”
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