Sanity Check: Bella Shmurda’s Journey Through Grief and Groove

by 'Joba Ojelabi

About six years ago, a young singer caught the attention of many Nigerians, carrying a message that reminded us of resilience and aspiration, qualities that often define us as human beings and more specifically as Nigerians. Born Abiola Akinbiyi, Bella Shmurda’s breakout single Vision 2020 was popular for the soul it carried, and when veteran musician Olamide joined him on the remix, it became clear that Bella was on to something. The rawness in his voice, the sincerity of his words, and the hunger in his sound drew many in. There was an honesty to his art that mirrored the reality of his generation, a generation trying to find hope.

On the 3rd of October 2025, Bella Shmurda released his second studio album, Sanity. The project follows his two EPs, High Tension and High Tension 2, and his debut album, Hypertension. Bella’s evolution as an artist has been fascinating to watch. Once an independent act with a cult following, he now platforms emerging voices through his joint stake in Dangbana Republik Records. His story follows the familiar path from grass to grace, though the journey has not been without turbulence. In a 2023 interview with YouTuber Korty EO, he reflected on his early exuberance when he first encountered financial success, and the prudence he has since learned. Many also remember his calls for justice after the death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, his close friend and collaborator, to whom he has paid several tributes in song. The tragedy seemed to hit him deeply, especially after the loss of his child at birth in 2022. The title of this new album, Sanity, invites the question of how he is really doing.

Named after a track featuring rising star Kunmie, the 16-song album runs for about 43 minutes. It opens with Appraisal, which, as the title suggests, reflects on the artist’s current standing in career and life. He sings, “I hype myself cause I’ve tried. Check am out, numbers no dey lie.” Verily follows, narrating the aftermath of heartbreak, or as modern slang would call it, “collecting breakfast.” The singer does not take this well and details the messiness of human emotion in response to pain. Bella brings on Logos Olori for Turn Me On, a song that explores the intersection between money, masculinity, and desire. Logos echoes the hook, “Na only money turn me on,” a line that feels both confessional and cynical.

Sanity comes next, shifting the mood toward reflection. Both artists sing of love, loss, and the vanity of life. The intention of the song is clear even when the writing falters. The album’s tempo rises with Holy Jah, Mandalene, and Bounce. Mandalene features Ghanaian singer King Promise and borrows its name from a lesser-known variation of Magdalene; like her biblical namesake, the song’s subject is also named Mary. Bella reunites with Seyi Vibez on Bounce, their chemistry has matured since No Caution.

Then come the experiments. Fuji Fusion brings on fuji legend King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal for an ambitious blend of fuji and pop. The production is crisp, but the themes clash. The elder’s message of legacy meets the younger man’s indulgence, creating a tension that never fully resolves. The second experiment revisits apala, another Yoruba traditional sound, and fares better. The song begins introspective and moves with the measured rhythm of apala until lyrical inconsistency slips in when Omotena enters too abruptly.

Ckay joins for Bygone, while Joshua Baraka appears on Pretty Girl. Rising act Fola steals the spotlight on Dangbana Riddim, easily one of the project’s highlights. T.I Blaze lends his voice to Run from God, a track that nods to divinity over a familiar highlife beat. Bella closes with My G, Pain, and Family. A female voice deepens the emotion on Pain, while Family reaffirms his devotion to kin and the unspoken weight of responsibility.

Overall, Sanity is an ambitious second act. It is daring in sound yet uneven in structure. Still, beneath the experiments and imperfections lies something tender and true. It is the sound of an artist tracing the edges of his grief, searching for balance, and holding on to what keeps him human. Despite the fans demand for that storytelling Bella that sang of hope in 2019, Sanity offers a confession of a man still learning to find his sanity in the noise.