Why Boyerma switched to Afrobeat, his journey of self-discovery

Port Harcourt-born musician Emmanuel Gbara, widely known as Boyerma, is making waves in the Nigerian music scene with his unique Afrobeats sound. Growing up in a religious family, Boyerma’s musical journey began in the church, playing the keyboard and singing in the choir. His love for music, however, transcended the gospel genre.

“I was just 13 when I joined the church choir,” Boyerma reminisces. “My mom was the choir leader, and I played the keyboard. But deep down, I loved RnB and hip hop. I wasn’t just inspired by gospel music. I found myself adding verses and melodies to other people’s songs, and soon enough, I realized I could start writing my own.”

It was in university that Boyerma truly found his calling. Signing up for every concert held by his school fellowship, his talent became undeniable. His gigs expanded beyond school to local communities and even other states. However, as he transitioned from gospel to Afrobeats, it came at a personal cost.

“When I stopped doing gospel music, I lost a lot of friends and even my girlfriend,” he explains. “They didn’t understand why I wanted to switch. It was a difficult time, but I didn’t give up. I knew where I was going.”

After a period of experimenting with different genres, Boyerma found his sound in Afrobeats. His
breakthrough came with the release of his single, Anthem, which received airplay and support from radiostations, opening doors for more opportunities. Shortly after, he teamed up with music producer Mr. David Anaba from Andachi Entertainment, who recognized his raw talent and unique sound. Together, they meticulously curated and released Boyerma’s first EP in 2022. This collaboration not only marked a new chapter in Boyerma’s career but also solidified his presence in the Afrobeats scene, showcasing his ability to turn personal experiences into powerful, melodic expressions.

“My music is who I am,” Boyerma declares. “It’s about what I’ve been through, what I’m going through, and what I’m about to go through. When I sing, you can hear that it comes from within. I don’t freestyle;

I listen to melodies and write down what feels right.”

Despite facing criticism for his transition into Afrobeats, Boyerma remains unapologetic. “I thought, ‘Who needs to be happy for me?’ It’s me. I need to be happy for myself. I’m original, and I just keep doing me.”

As he continues to refine his craft, Boyerma’s passion for music is unwavering. “I don’t have a personal life right now,” he says. “Music is my life. It’s my therapy. Maybe when music is done with me, I’ll figure the rest out.”

With a new single set to drop next month, Boyerma’s fans are eagerly awaiting what the artist has in store. His ultimate dream? A music tour across Africa and collaborating with Olamide, a “real Godfather” in his eyes “I was never doing music for anyone but myself,” Boyerma concludes. “A life without music is dead to me. I have no choice but to keep living through it.”