“Ghetto where we hustle, Vision 2020, Our government dem promise” - Bella Shmurda (”Vision 2020” (Remix) ft. Olamide)

For many, this line was their first encounter with Bella Shmurda. Released nearly six years ago, the track crackled with ambition and righteous frustration, a street classic fueled by hunger, hope, and disillusionment with a system that promised progress but delivered little.

As a torchbearer of Nigeria’s street-pop movement, Bella channeled that energy into his breakout EP ‘High Tension’, earning acclaim for his unfiltered lyricism, melodic grit, and ability to make you dance while making you think. He wore his truth like a badge, vulnerable, urgent, and undeniably real.

Since then, life has reshaped him. No longer just the hungry boy from Okokomaiko, Bella is now a husband, a father, and a man who’s endured profound loss, including the death of his closest friend. His forthcoming album, ‘SANITY’ feels less like a title and more like a confession: a reflection of his mental and emotional state in a world that rarely slows down.

Ahead of its release, the TurnTable team weighs in on four pressing questions about ‘SANITY’, and what it might mean for Bella’s legacy.

How does ‘SANITY’ reflect Bella’s growth beyond music into fatherhood, grief, and public life?

W: You can hear the weight in his voice now. It’s not just about street dreams anymore; it’s about protecting what he’s built, honoring who he’s lost, and figuring out how to stay grounded when the world keeps spinning faster.

H: This album feels like therapy set to melody. Fatherhood has softened his edges, but loss has sharpened his truth. ‘SANITY’ is a survival guide from a man learning to breathe again.

Z: Bella’s always been emotional, but now there’s wisdom in the vulnerability. You hear a man reckoning with legacy, and responsibility.

Will ‘SANITY’ Live Up to the Legacy of Bella Shmurda’s Past Work?

W: Truth be told, there’s been a decline in his last 2 projects. There’s a less hunger tone in his voice, there are pains but still doesn’t hit as his debut and sophomore project so I have no expectations.

H: With the release of his latest single “Sanity”, we are finally getting a glimpse of what Bella has been experiencing the past two years.

Z: I truly hope it does. The single “Sanity” already shows a more mature Bella, especially in how he’s working with production. There’s intentionality now, not just instinct.

‘SANITY’ is Bella’s fourth project. If it were his last (and there’s no indication it will be), how would he be remembered?

W: The boy from okokomaiko who came, saw, and conquered.

H: He reached the summit and didn’t forget to send the elevator back down, lifting up artistes like Fola and Shoday along the way.

Z: He will be remembered for his authenticity. For having a unique voice that is instantly recognizable anywhere.

Will ‘SANITY’ Be an Album of the Year Contender?

W: Unfortunately, no. His recent work hasn’t sparked much conversation, and he’s been absent from the upper echelon of critical discourse. That said, this could be a strong reminder of his undeniable talent

H: Bella’s albums were never really built for AOTY debates. When I press play, I’m not looking for perfection, I’m listening for the aches and joys of a man who’s tasted fame, faced loss, and is still figuring it out in real time.

Z: Clever question, but fair. Over his last three projects, Bella’s been piecing together his evolution, one experiment at a time. Not every choice resonates with every listener. But given the strength of the singles leading up to Sanity, we’ll have to wait and see if this is the moment it all clicks.