Nigerian singer Ekenedirichukwu Ijemba, better known by his stage name Humblesmith, has finally addressed the lingering assumptions about his supposed exit from the music scene.
Contrary to popular belief, the Afropop star says he never abandoned his music career; instead, it was the audience that moved on from him, Hitvibz reports.
The 34-year-old artist, whose career took off with the 2015 smash hit “Osinachi”, broke his silence in an interview with HipTV.
Humblesmith’s rise to fame in the Nigerian music scene
Before diving fully into his music career, he worked as an actor and juggled menial jobs before finally getting signed to DG Records.
His journey began to gain traction after he relocated to Lagos in 2012, where he recorded his debut single “Chairmoo” in 2014.
But it was the release of “Osinachi” in 2015—first with Phyno, then a star-powered remix with Davido—that truly catapulted him to national fame.
The hit not only topped charts but also earned him a nomination for “Hottest Single” at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in 2016.
His debut album featured top industry names and proved that the Imo state-born star had the talent and staying power for a lasting music path.
“I never left”—Humblesmith’s truth about his music career
Despite the success of his earlier hits, Humblesmith’s presence in the mainstream seemed to wane in the years that followed.
However, in 2020, he attempted a strong comeback with the soul-lifting single “Kosi”, meaning “God’s Will”, a track that celebrated gratitude and resilience.
The song was paired with a multi-million Naira endorsement deal, signalling a promising return.
Still, fans and industry watchers noticed a long silence afterward. Addressing this, Humblesmith passionately clarified that the absence wasn’t from his end.
He had continued making music but lamented that listeners had simply shifted their attention elsewhere.
Now, the “Osinachi” crooner wants fans to know that he never abandoned his music career. He’s been here all along, still creating, still releasing, and still believing.
“It wasn’t me that stopped making music; it was people that stopped listening to my music… I still release music all the time. I never stopped. It was people that suddenly moved on from me… check now,” he said.
Be the first to comment on "‘Osinachi’ crooner Humblesmith breaks silence: “I didn’t quit music—Nigerians just stopped listening to me”"