Abefe, the 18-year-old Nigerian artist who built a following through viral TikTok covers, has released his debut EP, ‘Abefe (Begged To Be Love)’. The project arrives as he surpasses 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify, records a song with Joeboy, and earns cosigns from Davido and BNXN.
From TikTok Covers to a Breakout Year
Abefe first gained attention by submitting a cover to Amma’s open-verse challenge for “I Love You” and later posting his rendition of her track “Where Did You Go.” Although he did not win the contest, the videos resonated widely, earning him a dedicated fanbase that calls itself Abefeholics.
His cover of Kidd Carder’s “Big BumBum” also went viral, prompting fans to request a full original version. That reworked track became “Romeo and Juliet,” his first official single, which has since accumulated over 5 million streams.
Inside the Debut EP
The self-titled EP places Abefe in romantic narratives, from seeking a love interest’s heart on “Achalugo” to pleading for a second chance on “Orekelewa.” He blends earnest songwriting with nostalgic reinterpretations of Fuji and Apala music, two older Nigerian genres he absorbed growing up.
“There was always someone around playing the music. My mom always played some Fuji music, and in my environment they used to play all kinds of songs,” Abefe said.
Abefe acknowledged feeling nervous about the release.
“I am very nervous because it just has to do well,” he said.
Creative Process and Influences
Abefe describes his songwriting as instinctive. He does not write down lyrics; instead, he listens to a beat and assembles melodies and words in his head before recording.
“I just need a beat. Once I find a beat or when they send me a beat, I do my thing. I put things together in my head, then record. And I don’t write lyrics down,” he explained.
Balancing Music and Education
Before his viral success, Abefe planned to study architecture at university. He says those academic goals remain, but music now offers an alternate path. His family, particularly his mother, prioritizes education but has not opposed his musical pursuits.
“My mom is someone that wants me to go to school, so for my mom, I have to go to school, very very important. Music is something that I want to do for me,” he said.
A Song for the Abefeholics
When asked to pick one track that defines him, Abefe points to “Abefeholics,” a song he wrote as a thanksgiving during the whirlwind of his sudden rise. The track directly addresses his supporters, whom he calls family.
“I made that from everything that was going on around me at that time. I put myself into it. I just put my fanbase into it, and everything that was going on. Everything was happening so fast, so I wrote a song of thanksgiving,” he said.
