Few stories in Nigerian music this year have unfolded as quickly and organically as Abefe’s. One moment, he was a young singer posting heartfelt covers on TikTok; the next, he had become one of the platform’s biggest breakout stars, amassing a devoted fanbase called Abefeholics and earning co-signs from some of the industry’s biggest names, including Davido and BNXN.

What began with viral renditions of popular songs — most notably his cover of Amma’s “I Love You” and “Where Do You Go” — has evolved into a promising music career marked by collaborations with artists like Joeboy and oSHAMO, millions of impressions online, and the release of his debut EP, Abefe (Begged To Be Loved).

Yet beyond the virality and rapidly growing fame, the artist, born Samuel Damilare, is still processing how quickly life has changed and how his talent became a pathway to setting him up for life when he started posting covers on TikTok. Even when he is asked how he’s adjusting to fame, he doesn’t say enough words to capture the weight of success he feels. But in depth, he knows he’s here to stay, so he doesn’t mince words as he affirms his greatness with confidence and glee, while speaking of his artistry and new EP.

The debut project is a simple canvas that opens onto the world of the 18-year-old, where he taps into different shades of love, vulnerability, and emotional longing. Beneath the tracks are stories inspired by one girl, he spills. Yet, the project’s earnest writing and melodic composition of Folk and Fuji leave you asking for more, much like the young artist begging for another chance in “Orekelewa.”

In this conversation with BSide, Abefe excitedly opens up about his journey; from recording covers to becoming one of Nigeria’s most exciting new voices, the emotional weight of sudden fame, embracing the hardcore support from a dedicated fanbase, and the stories behind his debut project as he navigates the next phase of an already remarkable rise.

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

You once said in an interview that you can no longer go out alone in public with the level of fame now. What’s something about fame that people don’t prepare you for?

There’s not really much. You go out, take pictures with people, it’s nice, except you can’t just go out alone. So there’s not really much about the fame that people don’t prepare you for. I feel that if you are expecting fame, then you should be ready to do things in public.

Do you remember the exact moment you realised the cover to Amma’s “I Love You” was becoming something bigger? How did it feel knowing that your music was going viral, or did it only hit you weeks later?

Yes, when I did the cover, and it blew up, I knew it had brought something I’ve been expecting: people. It brought people to my page, and that’s what I’ve been waiting for. To show them that I can do more.

And the co-signs you’ve gotten as a result, which one did surprise you the most?

That’s Davido! It was very nice. When I did the cover, I was expecting him to do something, and he did. It was a testament to the fact that I have people rooting for me.

Collaborating with Joeboy must have felt surreal, considering that both of you have somewhat similar social media discovery stories. What did that moment teach you?

IF I HEAR PIM 🤫 I DEY WITH @Joeboy OHH #abefe #abefeholic pic.twitter.com/ecLooZtDm3

— Abefe (@heisabefe01) May 25, 2026

He texted me on TikTok. Afterwards, he texted my manager, who then set everything up, and that was it. Joeboy is a very nice person, and he made the whole process very easy. No pressure, he didn’t make me feel like I was new. Like, just do you and bring your shit to me.

Besides your song with Joeboy, your collaboration with oSHAMO, “Stars Misaligned”, has also received massive traction. I believe it started as a cover and ended up becoming an official collaboration. How did that happen?

Very sad sweet 😁😔@official_oSHAMO pic.twitter.com/S2wECv7T8H

— Abefe (@heisabefe01) April 23, 2026

Yes, I did a cover for “Stars Misaligned” on TikTok that went viral. Then he texted me, “Why don’t we make a proper official remix?” So we did.

Let’s talk about your EP Abefe (Begged to Be Loved). Why did it feel like the right title for your debut project, and what were you hoping to achieve with the project?

I feel like that project is talking about me, Abefe, the intricate side, especially ones that occurred during the ‘Amma moment’. There’s a song on the EP, “Abefeholics,” that is dedicated to my fans. So the project is just showing the side of me when everything is happening. The love side of my life, like my name translates. However, the love there is not one you have received but one you are trying and begging to get. Then I thought it made sense. Plus, that’s my name, so why not?

Speaking of begging to be loved, the project deals heavily with love, vulnerability and emotional longing. Were these songs written from personal experiences? 

Everything is. I write my songs from my emotions and how I’m feeling. Everything is a chapter in my love story. Whether it’s a girl I’m trying to get, I put it into my music. Because music is my best friend, and how I connect with everybody.

Mind sharing a personal experience that has the ones that have inspired any of the songs in particular?

“Achalugo,” for instance, there’s this girl I was talking to at the time, and I was trying to get her, but she wouldn’t accept. So the song was saying “if I end up marrying you, jo ma je kin sun ta.” That implies that this love that I’m trying to beg you for, if we end up together, don’t fuck me up.

Are there moments from creating the EP that you hold especially close to your heart?

ABEFE THE EP IS OUT NOW ON ALL PLATFORMS #abefe #abefeholic pic.twitter.com/tPgEcSTAAg

— Abefe (@heisabefe01) July 9, 2026

I think when I was recording “Abefeholics.” It was quite heartfelt for me because every line in that song meant something. The song was inspired by everything that happened: viral moments, meeting my manager, and all of that. I felt deeply emotional while writing the song.

On the song being a thank-you letter to your fans, especially on TikTok. How much would you say your fans have aided your growth?

That’s like 100%. They are the ones doing everything from the encouragement, streaming, promotions, posting and everything.

Away from “Abefeholics,” tracks like “Yahweh” and “Orekelewa” all tap into different shades of love. What were the emotions behind each record? 

I recorded “Yahweh” when I was seeing the girl who inspired it. It was very crazy because what was happening in real time made me write the song. For “Orekelewa,” I’d say all the emotions I felt while recording came from the TikTok moments. And it was inspired by just one girl. In fact, all my songs are about just this girl.

The same girl? How do you think she’ll feel when she listens to these songs, and is she aware of it?

Yes, about the same girl. I’m not much of a talker, but I feel like she listens very well with attention, and she’ll know this song is for her.

You’ve received co-signs from Davido and BNXN and worked with Joeboy. What would you say are your dream collaborations?

There’s Davido, BNXN, Olamide, Wizkid, Burna Boy, and lots more that I can’t even mention.

You’ve spent much of this year being loved by millions of strangers online despite being early in your career. Where do you hope to take your career, and what do you want people to remember when they hear the name “Abefe”?

When they hear the name Abefe, they should always remember my voice and know that’s greatness. And over the coming years, as my manager would say, I’ll be celebrating one billion streams! Haha.

If you wanted to introduce anyone to Abefe’s music, which would it be? 

That’s “Abefeholics,” because that’s a thank-you song to my fans. I like how it shows me too.

I’ve also noticed that you have a very distinct voice and style of music. What would you say inspires the way your music is, and what attracts people to that kind of music?

My voice attracts them; that’s one thing I know. And I think what brought all that together is my background. I’m Yoruba, and I grew up listening to different genres of music, from Fuji and Apala to Disco and other sounds. So I just grabbed everything together and picked my own sound from it.

What do you hope your listeners, or perhaps a first-time listener, will take away when they listen to your EP? 

I want them to listen and feel like they’ve gotten to know a little side of Abefe.