Goldberg Lager May Just Have Uncovered The Next Big Star In Yoruba Hip-Hop

Since the early promotional content for Ariya Repete was released, a recurring narrative has been that this year’s competition will uncover the next big star in Yoruba hip-hop.

This is a lofty ambition, but one which Goldberg Lager is certainly capable of. In truth, if any brand can pull it off, it’s Goldberg.

However, the first few auditions and regional knockouts did not produce talents in the mould of some the Yoruba hip-hop stars we have come to love and admire.

This is not to say these auditions were short of talents, on the contrary, the Lagos, Abeokuta, and Ota regionals had some unbelievably talented singers, many of which are destined for superstardom.

But fans still wanted to see that fearless street rapper, that raw delivery, that energetic poet that will leave the audience playing back every word of his performance.

And on the 28th of June, at the Ariya Repete selection party in Ibadan, we finally found him.

Ashley Oluwasegun may not be very imposing upon first sight. His slight frame and shy demeanour is a polar opposite to his huge personality and charisma when he gets on stage.

Just a few minutes into his first performance of the night, and it was clear that he was something special. Not many artistes have moved ID Cabasa to give a standing ovation, and when Ashley was done with his performance, all the Judges and everyone in attendance was unified in one opinion – This boy has got bags of talent!

ID Cabasa, who was clearly struggling to articulate what he had just witnessed, was first to applaud Ashley, stating that he had the perfect blend of “attitude, charisma, and lyrics”.

It’s easy to see why ID Cabasa was so elated. Back in the dark days of Nigerian music, he was the man who discovered the first mainstream indigenous rapper in Nigeria – Lord of Ajasa.

However, the reason for the judges and the audience warm reception to Ashley’s talents may actually be due to a much deeper reason – His uncanny similarities to the late rapper, Da-Grin.

Ashley Oluwasegun’s first performance was a freestyle rendered over the instrumental of DaGrin’s biggest song “pon pon pon”. A song which is still a street anthem, even after a decade of rapper’s sad demise.

This nostalgic feeling may be one of the reasons the audience loved Ashley’s performance so much.

However, the fanfare is very much deserved. This young man has the attitude of Olamide, the lyrics of Da-grin, and the charisma of Fela. It’s no surprise that fans are already tipping him to go all the way, and his emergence as the winner of Yoruba hip hop category in Ibadan may just be the beginning of his journey to super-stardom.

It’s still early, but with more performances like these, he is firmly poised to stake a serious claim on the grand prize.

Goldberg lager is delivering on its promise of giving us the next big Afro-pop star and we’re certainly loving it.