Stumbling upon Fimí was an experience I know many can relate to. She didn’t just appear on our social media feeds, she took them by storm. She’s a force in her own right, leaving a mark so bold that she’s simply unforgettable.

My first encounter was around mid-February, scrolling through Twitter, when Fimí appeared on my screen draped in màfo gòtá írò and búbà, the traditional look reimagined with an urban twist, paired with a crisp white shirt. Her gaze into the camera locked me in, but it was her first words, “I won’t smoke but if you got beef” that did the magic. Her lyrics struck a chord, and the beat had my head nodding instinctively. I paused mid-scroll, captivated. Still, it was her unique style that caught my eye first. Fimí rapped with lines that flowed, layered, intricate, and unlike anything I’d heard before. Soon after, she popped up on my TikTok too and once again, I was blown away. When Fimí comes on, I pause. I don’t scroll past. I’m transfixed, listening intently until the very last word.

When WeTalkSound featured Fimí alongside SGaWD, the stars aligned again. The “Hei God” track hit us like a jolt, a brilliant collision of talent that shook the scene to its core. Still looping the track, I found myself thinking: what questions could do justice to this exceptional act? How do I craft an interview that truly captures her style and essence?

Some might call her the Nigerian Doechii, or the Iniko we never knew we needed but Fimí is Flow Daddy for a reason. She refuses to be boxed in. And this is her story.

TTC: Fimí, has this always been your sound or has there been a shift or rebrand at some point?

Fimí: I think the core has always been me, but I won’t lie, there’s definitely been evolution. I started off just wanting to make music but now I’ve fine-tuned my style and found my own sound. I’d say I hone my craft better now. This version of me is the “most me” I’ve ever been.

TTC: The attention around you is huge right now. That viral post wasn’t your first, but it skyrocketed. What was your reaction and how has that moment shaped your direction moving forward?

Fimí: Man, that post took on a life of its own. I dropped it casually, not thinking too deeply and boom! It became a whole moment. What it did was confirm that there’s a space for artistes like me, even in a space where a lot of people think there isn’t.

TTC: Your love for fashion is clear and your style uniquely fuses the past and present. How did you discover that aesthetic and how does it tie into your music?

Fimí: I was raised in the church, both my parents are pastors so I’m majorly inspired by fashion pieces I grew up around: hats, shoulder pads, Ankara, lace fabrics, etc. I always “Fiminize” them to make them uniquely mine, I basically stick to what I love and style it with intention.

TTC: Let’s talk about your famous single, “Halo”. Can you walk us through the writing process, the recording experience, and how you approached the rollout?

Fimí: “Halo” was one of those songs that came to me out of nowhere. I had the beat playing while I was sitting on my bed, thinking about several topics from hypocrisy to growth and maturity. It was kinda like a freestyle because I wrote the whole thing in one night and it was ready to go. It’s funny how those projects you don’t overthink end up being the best ones, yeah? The video concept also randomly popped up in my mind, and then I went ahead to reach out to a choreographer I knew could bring that vision to life.

TTC: You rap, you sing, and your sound blends multiple genres. Who would you say are your biggest musical influences?

Fimí: Aww, how’d you know I can siiing-uh (tucks hair behind my ear and bites my lower lip a little). My musical influences, that’s a cocktail really: Lauryn Hill, Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, Weird MC! I aspire to be as great as they are. Doja Cat for her versatility, Kendrick Lamar for his creative delivery, Terry Apala for his uniqueness, and Portable for his unapologetic craze.

TTC: You’ve built a viral online presence. How are you planning to bring that energy into physical spaces like performances, tours, or pop-ups?

Fimí: I really love what I do, so transferring that online vibe to physical spaces is easy. I’ve been doing that in my performances and I love that people love it! I’ve had a lot of practice, so I came prepared and ready for the big stage! The secret is to keep being me. Feel me?

TTC: How did your latest feature on “Hei God” materialise? Let us know how it all came together.

Fimí: WTS reached out to me and told me they wanted SGaWD and I to work together on a project. So I pulled up to the studio. Kemena (our producer) came with a beat pack and we both picked one instrumental each. I initially picked a hip-hop beat, but I was down for a challenge so I gave SGaWD’s choice a chance and we created the magic everyone now knows as “Hei God”.

TTC: How important is creative independence to you, particularly in terms of controlling your sound, image, or message?

Fimí: Very Very Important. I hope nothing ever takes that away from me. I’m not much of a talker, so my music and visuals are how I boldly express myself. Not having creative independence is directly proportional to silencing my voice.

TTC: You’ve been described in different ways as a Nigerian Doechii, Doja Cat, or Iniko. How do you stay grounded in your own sound and vision?

Fimí: I love those women! They are powerhouses, but I don’t live in anybody else’s mirror. I’m Fimí. I pull from my own self, my roots. You can’t duplicate authenticity and that’s what makes me unique. People will catch on (they already are).

TTC: If a dream collaboration came your way today, who would it be with and why?

Fimí: I have a longgg list from Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, Weird MC, Little Simz, Doja Cat, Tierra Whack…because they’re amazing creatives. Also, if K1 ever says “Let’s work”, I’m there in five minutes, no makeup.

TTC: The future is unfolding now. How do you plan to take hold of the moment and shape what comes next?

Fimí: By staying consistent, staying curious, and staying true to myself. I want to build an empire off this energy. Not just music but storytelling, fashion, and visuals. I want people to say “Fimí is a living legend”.