My music is putting Benin culture on global radar — Hammerboi

Afrobeats artist Hammerboi, whose real name is Osasike Uwuigbe, has expressed how his songs in the Benin language are gaining popularity beyond his region, helping to introduce Benin culture to a wider audience. Hammerboi chose to sing in his native language as a way to preserve and promote the language, which he has a deep love for.

He explained to Saturday Beats, "I didn't just start singing in my dialect one day. It came naturally to me, and my decision was also influenced by my love for the culture and my desire to preserve and promote the language."

Initially, Hammerboi, who previously worked as a music producer, did not have a strong desire for commercial success. He said, "At first, I didn't really care about being commercially successful or becoming very popular. I used to be a full-time music producer, producing for different artistes. One day, I thought, 'Let me just do something unique for Benin people.'"

The artiste's interest in writing songs in the Benin language started in his childhood when he wrote and produced songs for his church choir. Hammerboi noted that the reception to his music has shown him that language is not a barrier to connecting with listeners. He explained, "Music is a universal language, and I believe uniqueness and authenticity connect with people more than anything else. People don’t necessarily care about the language; they connect with how the music makes them feel."

This sentiment was evident in his own listening habits, as he has enjoyed Indian and French music despite not understanding the languages. Hammerboi also mentioned that his audience has expanded beyond Edo State, with listeners from other parts of Nigeria and different countries showing interest in his music. He noted, "The great part is that I actually have more listeners outside my region. When I check my top five audiences, I tend to see cities outside my region before I start seeing cities from my own area."

Foreign listeners have also shown curiosity about Edo culture after discovering his music. Hammerboi said, "Many people have told me that even though they don’t understand every word, they can feel the emotions and passion in my music. Some have even become curious about my culture." Fans from French-speaking countries have even requested translations of his songs and videos.

Beyond entertainment, Hammerboi hopes his music will encourage young people to embrace their indigenous languages. He said, "I want people to understand that our languages are treasures and deserve to be celebrated, not hidden. I am encouraging young people to embrace their roots and take pride in where they come from, wherever that may be."

While Edo remains central to his music, Hammerboi is open to experimenting with other languages when creativity calls for it. He said, "If you listen to my recent album, you will hear a combination of English and other languages. My native language will always remain at the heart of my music."