If you tune into the ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ soundtrack, you will notice the alluring tones of Lagos-based musician and producer, Bloody Civilian on the track ‘Wake Up’. Infused with dancehall flavours and an afrobeat bounce, she and Rema bask under the spotlight with Bloody staking her claim as a new rising star. She also co-produced it with esteemed composer Ludwig Goransson. “It was a surreal moment but at the same time I had to pretend like I’d been there before and pull myself together just so I could get the work done,” she reflects of this career-starting opportunity that has achieved over 5million global streams.

With a crystalised vision of her artistry, Bloody Civilian matched this collaboration with her debut single, ‘How To Kill A Man’, which satirically interprets the realities of an oppressive society fronted by men. And now comes her new single, ‘I Don’t Like You’, a punchy, house driven track sending someone to the curb with her typically sharp and empowered lyricism.

Her self-produced beats and evocative messages sees her use her voice as a disruptive force for change.

These anarchic projects have been a fitting introduction to her stage name. “It’s a derogatory term the Nigerian military use when they’re unleashing their violence on us,” she explains. “I decided to flip the image of what a Nigerian civilian is; we’re not nobodies that you can just toss to the side so I gave myself that name saying ‘I’m this Bloody Civilian and you can’t get rid of me.’”

Her outspoken nature is powered by the voices of the women she looks up to who tread their own paths with autonomy and elegance. Her mother is the first woman she honours for her own sacrifices and career-driven prowess to break boundaries within her industry. Then during Bloody’s teenage years, she buried herself in the provocative essays and fictional worlds of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. “I can recall reading her books in chronological order and wondered how she could write stuff like that and not care what people would say. That really inspired me to do the same.” She also praises indie-soul artist Asa for her demonstration of individuality before the invention or mainstream acknowledgement of Afro-fusion. “I will always applaud women, especially black women, who can be confident and really push through because I know that there’s a lot of push back.”

Raised in Abuja - the serene capital of Nigeria - Bloody Civilian, real name Emoseh Khamofu, remembers a childhood filled with liberation music spanning reggae, African psychedelic rock and other sounds that were influenced by Western music. As early as eight years old, Bloody began song-writing and would perform to her parents, “until I got to the age where I didn’t care for their approval”. A school talent show ignited her desire to pursue music and it wasn’t long before she ventured into DIY production via the Audacity app. From here she began recording vocals and creating songs with a few plug-ins and extra learning tools the software provided. “I didn’t know I was producing,” she says. “It was just fun for me and it allowed me to do more than just write and sing songs.” Since then, she’s relocated to Lagos, which inserts a different kind of energy into her creativity. “You can focus in Abuja because it’s a quiet, small city and you can just focus on yourself. There’s not much silence here in Lagos, so it's a different type of excitement and it motivates me.”

As Bloody becomes more aware of the business aspect of music, she is adamant on building a foundation that is fuelled by passion rather than pragmatism. With two incredible singles under her belt, she is eager to share more authentic and unabashed perspectives. “I just want to be the person who puts the megaphone on the elephant in the room everywhere I go. I feel like where I’m from, silence is what keeps violence happening,” she asserts. “I’m not silent about it and that’s why I’m connecting with people who vibe with me.” Through one project at a time, this intoxicating artist is destined to inspire others to rise up, get bloody and be counted.

Discover ‘IDLU’ by Bloody Civilian here.