Blaqbonez's 2025 album, No Excuses, is an audacious and confident statement from one of Nigeria's most consistent and versatile rappers. The 17-track project blends hip-hop with Afrobeats and amapiano, featuring collaborations with top artists like Olamide, Phyno, and AJ Tracey. Critics and fans have praised the album for its thematic depth, sharp lyricism, and seamless fusion of genres. Throughout the album, Blaqbonez emphasizes his originality and drive, positioning himself as a leader in the Nigerian music scene. As he raps on one track, "Last real n***a, I might be am/Them know the theory but me I dey practice am," highlighting his commitment to proving his claims of greatness through his work. On the closing track, "Stacks $$$," Blaqbonez uses an acoustic-laced beat to reflect on the music industry.
He calls out its politics and performative outrage, concluding with a powerful reminder that "People only care if you win, no excuses." The album features direct and subtle responses to his long-standing feud with fellow rapper Odumodublvck, adding a compelling layer of context. The diss track "ACL" is the most debated example, with lyrics like "Make dem no tear their ACL 'cause they wan flow like Blaq" and "Anti-World? More like anti-success," widely interpreted as jabs at Odumodublvck and his crew. The feud serves as a backdrop to the album, with both artists releasing their albums in the same month.
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Blaqbonez Drops Ambitious Fourth Album 'No Excuses,' Igniting Rap Feud and Chart Success
No Excuses showcases a skillful and varied sound palette, moving fluidly between different genres. This musical versatility is a hallmark of the album's appeal. The production masterfully blends different styles, from laid-back and soulful hip-hop to high-energy Afrobeats and amapiano rhythms. A roster of elite producers contributed to the album, including Jae5, Magicsticks, Blaisebeatz, and Telz, helping to deliver a polished and sonically crisp body of work. Upon its release in October 2025, No Excuses was met with strong commercial performance and generally positive reviews. The album quickly reached the top of the Apple Music Nigeria chart and accumulated millions of streams on Spotify, demonstrating its immediate success. Critics noted the album as a testament to Blaqbonez's evolution, showcasing a more deliberate and confident style compared to his earlier work. While his lyrical sharpness was praised, the album's confrontational elements also sparked intense debate among fans, particularly regarding the Odumodublvck feud.
Blaqbonez's 2025 album No Excuses has achieved significant commercial success and garnered mostly positive reviews since its release in mid-October. The album's strong performance across streaming platforms and its reception among fans and critics solidify Blaqbonez's position as a major force in the Nigerian music scene. The album debuted strongly on streaming platforms, accumulating over 2 million global Spotify streams on its opening day. One day later, it also recorded over 1.45 million Spotify streams in Nigeria alone. The album reached the top spot on the Apple Music Nigeria Top Albums chart shortly after its release. It peaked at #2 and #4 on different days, demonstrating its immediate and sustained popularity. Seven of the album's tracks broke into the NG Spotify Top 50 Chart, including "Despacito" at #4 and "ACL" at #6. The album made its way onto Apple Music charts in multiple countries, including reaching #1 in Liberia and #7 in Ghana. It also appeared on the chart in the United States at #144
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