BILS is an Afrorap/Afropop performer that is gaining popularity in Houston and abroad. BILS is more than just a name; it’s a journey and a synthesis of influences that have molded Daniel Oshodi-Alagoa’s distinctive and captivating sound.
After years of perfecting his skill, BILS finally took center stage as he headlined his first BILS DUE show in Houston, which was a major turning point in his burgeoning career.
For him, the moniker BILS, which stands for Built-in Lagos State, has deep significance. It is in remembrance of his late brother, who gave him this name. As BILS negotiated life abroad from his home nation of Nigeria, music became a source of comfort and self-discovery during his depressive episodes.
Wizkid, Asake, Olamide, Adekunle Gold, Davido, and other industry heavyweights have shared stages with the four-time Nigeria Entertainment Award nominee, who has established himself as a sought-after performer. His appeal grew internationally as a result of his performances at the SXSW festival, a global platform for music and cinema.
BILS talks candidly about the Defender, his creative process, the influence of his music, and his goal of connecting the diaspora with Nigeria’s thriving music culture.
Protector: Could you elaborate on your musical background and the process by which you created your distinct sound?
BILS: Music has always been my passion. Since I was a child, I have owned a Walkman and CDs. Over the radio, I used to dub tapes. Since my Nigerian home lacked a television when I was growing up, I developed a deep affection for tapes. When a hot song came on the radio, I would simply record it. I used to record such recordings and listen to them again. As I grew older, I was able to listen to music on my own by purchasing a Walkman or Discman. The party animal was me. We hosted house parties in the past. Since I loved music, I would play all the great tunes for everyone to enjoy. Things changed after I arrived to America for an education after high school.
Protector: What lessons did you take away from your experience at Texas Southern University, and how did that cultural change affect your music?
BILS: When I first arrived in America, I had no friends. I became depressed. The culture shock was insane. I had a heavy accent. I was really ashamed. It was all strange. I had to rediscover who I was. After discovering music, I began creating them. Then, eventually, I became amazing. I used to create numerous covers of songs that were already out there. I would simply add my own twist to them. After that, I decided to release this one day. It was deemed dope by some. We’re here now.
Protector: Four times, your music has received nominations for the Nigerian Music Awards. How has your artistic career been influenced by the recognition and experiences you’ve had, including performing at places like Toyota Center and Barclays Center?
BILS: I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything this year when I woke up. I am that kind of person. My pals ask me, “Are you crazy?” You performed a headline show just now. What are you discussing? I’m constantly thinking about the next thing, but I’m not saying I don’t smell my roses. I have a goal, and nothing else truly matters until I can set or achieve that objective. I had the same objective as my brother. Right now, it’s larger than me. I don’t celebrate my victories, but I do accept them. I go on to the next thing more than a day later.
Defender: What knowledge have you acquired from performing on stages with well-known performers from throughout the world?
BILS: It’s always fantastic. I take a seat and see how they manage the crowd. I see how people interact with the crowd. I can see why some of them don’t communicate. There isn’t just one method. Everybody has their own style and approach, and I’ve seen throughout the years that you simply need to identify your tribe, supporters, fan base, and family, as well as what [interests] them, and then continue to provide them with that. To be honest, honesty is one of my favorite things. When musicians are open and honest with their followers, I adore it. I gained knowledge about everything, including their stage presentation and set list organization.
Protector: Rap may not have always been as popular in Nigeria as other genres. How do you traverse this terrain, fusing soul-stirring melodies, rap, and Afrobeats to provide a unique musical experience?
BILS: It’s more of an energy issue, in my opinion. Music is a strong tool that can be used as a spiritual weapon. People enjoy being amused, yet they don’t rate many things. And I can help with that. Whatever you prefer, I just think I can keep you entertained. Back home, it seems like people are more interested in entertainment than rap. They would listen to something if it was entertaining. I often tell artists that we need to figure out a way to make it work. For everything, there is always a market. All you have to do is locate that market and turn it into a success. People in Nigeria endure a lot. Everywhere, people experience a lot, but Nigeria is really different, and people desire to get away. One of the ways people escape is through music. It s very hard for many of them to want to listen to something that reminds them of their struggle versus taking them away from it. One of the most unpolished genres of music is rap. Simply discover something that is relatable and catchy at the end of the day. The word is relatable.
Protector: Can you tell us more about the experience of headlining your concert in November and what it means for your career?
BILS: I usually have a certain number of things. I have a list that s just unspoken. I know the list. I don t tell anybody, so I don t have a lot of pressure. I want to be able to do these things by myself once in a while. I feel like doing a headline show was one of the top five things on that list. I kept overthinking and planning. Sometimes, you feel stuck because of how big something is. I ve opened up for a lot of artists. I ve seen what their first tours look like in some cities, so I understand that the first time is not always the best, but it s the way you build a foundation. I have invested and put a lot into a lot of artists. My fans and supporters have asked when I ll finally headline. I did it! There s no better time than the present. It took me a month to announce, produce, promote, and put it together in one month. People flew out and came to see me. I meant so much.
Protector: As you make your mark in the Nigerian entertainment scene, what are your aspirations and goals for the future, both musically and beyond?BILS: One of the goals is to increase the number of my listeners in the United States and Nigeria because, ever since I started making music, most of my listeners and streaming came from Nigeria. I m not saying I don t want to focus on Nigeria, but I m just saying conquer where you re at. You know what I m saying? Once you can do that, then you can move on. The artists that tour in America they ve conquered where they re at. I m not trying to go reverse. I want to reach the people that are out here: the Africans, the Americans, and the diaspora.
