With his signature baritone-tinged vocals, off-kilter vocal tics, and immersive stories of beating the odds, Ikorodu-born rapper/singer MohBad has emerged as one of the leading exponents of street-pop.

Whether it’s on the scorching pop anthem “KPK” or exploring the intricacies of heartbreak and betrayal on the Rexxie-produced “Peace,” MohBad flexes his rich linguistic imagination and calls on a deep trove of lived experiences for inspiration from track to track.

On his sophomore album, Blessed, MohBad wholeheartedly settles into his role as one of street-pop’s foremost emissaries, praising his ardent supporters and delivering a warning to his naysayers. Across eight tracks, the singer-born Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba deftly steps away from the jocularly mischievous persona that his Light EP (2020) presented.

On “Beast & Peace,” the singer gently rides over a scenic piano-led instrumental to deliver a statement about his resolve to be successful, and he provides a glimpse into that vision on “Sabi.”

As with all things MohBad, the energy ascends: Fellow Ikorodu native Zlatan joins for a startling flex on “Account Balance,” while close friend and creative partner Bella Shmurda adds a new dimension to the konto-inflected “Pariwo.”

Still, the undisputed highlight of Blessed remains “Ask About Me,” where Mohbad channels mob flick mysticism while remaining achingly poetic enough to stir the heart.