In a recent interview on the I Said What I Said Podcast, Reminisce reflected on his rise to fame in 2013, which established him as one of Nigeria’s biggest artists. He shared insights about his musical journey, starting with his debut album, My Book of Rap Stories, which didn’t achieve significant success. However, his sophomore album, Alaga Ibile, marked a turning point in his career.
According to Reminisce, Alaga Ibile sold over 13 million units in Alaba market, a major music distribution hub in Nigeria. He recalled, “The second album that really broke was Alaga Ibile. It did like 13 million units in Alaba, and that was the moment my life really changed.” This album featured hit tracks like “Daddy Mi” featuring Davido and “Eleniyan” featuring Wizkid, solidifying his nickname, Alaga Ibile, as he gained prominence.
The rapper also discussed his third album, Baba Hafusa, released during the rise of music streaming in Nigeria. Although he faced criticism for trying to connect with a broader audience, the album achieved commercial success, debuting at No. 12 on the Billboard World Chart, making him the first African rapper to debut on the chart.
Reminisce further made history with his fourth album, El Hadj, which debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard World Album chart, solidifying his status as the first African rapper to have two albums on the chart.
Recently, he released a new EP titled Sui Generis, featuring collaborations with artists like Vector, BadBoy Timz, and Bhadboi OML. The project has received acclaim for its impressive blend of hip-hop, fuji, and Afrobeats.
To delve deeper into Reminisce’s experiences and insights, you can watch his full interview on the I Said What I Said Podcast below.