BILS is an Afrorap/Afropop artist making waves both in Houston and on the international stage. Born Daniel Oshodi-Alagoa, BILS is more than just a name; it represents a journey and a fusion of influences that have shaped his unique and engaging sound.
Stepping into the limelight after years of honing his craft, BILS headlined his first “BILS DUE” concert in Houston, marking a significant milestone in his rising career.
The name “BILS,” an acronym for “Built-in Lagos State,” carries a profound meaning for him. It honors his late brother, who bestowed this name upon him. For BILS, music became an outlet during moments of depression, offering solace and self-discovery as he navigated life away from his native country, Nigeria.
The four-time Nigeria Entertainment Award Nominee has positioned himself as a sought-after performer, sharing stages with industry giants such as Wizkid, Asake, Olamide, Adekunle Gold, Davido, and others. His performances at the SXSW festival, a global stage for music and film, expanded his international appeal.
BILS opens up about his creative process with the Defender, the impact of his music, and his vision for bridging the gap between the diaspora and the vibrant music scene in Nigeria.
Defender: Can you share more about your musical journey and how you developed your unique sound?
BILS: I always loved music. I have had a Walkman and CDs since I was a kid. I used to dub tapes over the radio. Growing up, we didn’t have television in my house in Nigeria, so I fell in love with tapes. I would wait for the radio to play a fire song and just record it. I used to make those tapes and play them back for myself. As I got older, I could get a Discman or a Walkman and listen to music independently. I was the party guy. We used to do house parties. I was the music guy, so I would bring all the cool songs for people to enjoy. After high school, I came to America to get an education, and things took a turn from there.
Defender: How did that cultural shift impact your music, and what did you learn from your time at Texas Southern University?
BILS: I had no friends when I came to America. I got depressed. The culture shock was crazy. My accent was really thick. I felt very embarrassed. Everything was weird. I had to find myself all over again. I found music, and I started doing that and making them. And then, after a while, I became great. I used to make a bunch of covers of songs that already existed. I would just put my twist on them. And then one day, I said, let me put this thing out. Some people thought it was dope. Now we are here.
Defender: Your music has been nominated at the Nigerian Music Awards four times. How has the recognition and experiences, such as performing at venues like Barclays Center and Toyota Center, shaped your artistic career?
BILS: I woke up feeling like I haven’t done anything this year. That’s the type of person I am. My friends are like, “Are you crazy? You just did a headline show. What are you talking about?” I’m not saying I don’t smell my roses, but I’m always thinking about the next thing. I have a goal, and until I’m able to set that goal or until I’m able to reach that goal, nothing else really matters. My brother and I had the same goal. It’s bigger than me at this point. I accept the wins, but I don’t celebrate my wins. More than a day after that, I’m onto the next thing.
Defender: What lessons have you gained from sharing stages with top international artists?
BILS: It’s just always great. I sit down, watch them, and see how they control the crowd. I see the interactions with the crowd. I see how some of them don’t interact. There’s not one way to do it. Everybody has their style and methods, and I’ve learned over time that you just have to figure out your tribe, fan base, supporters, family, and what makes them [interested] and just keep feeding them with that. I’ll say, one of the things I love is transparency. I love it when artists are very transparent with their fans. I learned everything from on-stage presence to how they arranged their set lists.
Defender: Nigerians may not traditionally favor rap as much as other genres. How do you navigate this landscape, blending Afrobeats, rap, and soul-lifting melodies to create a distinctive musical experience?
BILS: I would say it’s more of an energy thing. Music is such a spiritual weapon, and it’s a powerful thing. People don’t rate many things, but they love being entertained. And that’s where I come in. I just feel like I can entertain you regardless of what you enjoy. I feel like people are not really into rap as much back home, but they’re into entertainment. If something is entertaining, they would listen to it. I always tell different artists we must find a way to make it work. There’s always a market for everything. You need just to find that market and make it work. People go through a lot in Nigeria. People go through a lot everywhere, but Nigeria is very different, and they want to escape. Music is one of the forms that they use to escape. 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. Rap is one of the rawest forms of music. At the end of the day, just find something that’s catchy and people can relate to. Relatable is the keyword.
Defender: 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.
Defender: 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.
