One of our Forgotten Rap Heroes: B.O.U.Q.U.I

B.O.U.Q.U.I, was born Bukola Folayan she alongside her other five siblings grew up in an academic atmosphere of the Obafemi Awolowo University (Ile-Ife) and it was a big influence for her deep lyrical style and cosmopolitan outlook. Her Christian faith however was the main factor to the formation of the Bouqui brand. Formerly a broadcaster at Eko FM, Lagos, she started her professional career with an all girl group called G-Vibes so many years ago before going solo and changing her focus and style to suit urban contemporary Nigeria.

The album titled B.O.U.Q.U.I was her debut and the album can be referred to as a two in one package due to the fact that it contains a record breaking fourteen tracks and four skits, the highest by any debutant in the Nigerian music industry. Still on breaking records, her lead single “Get it started” in less than a month debuted at number one the backyard beats segment of the PJ Butter hosted World Chart Show, also another first by any home– based Nigerian artiste in the history of Nigerian music. Other tracks like “Not Ashamed”, “Major Problem”, “Molejo”, “Vanity” and “Wanna Lone U” were hits. The album has won several accolades and nominations including the much coveted AMEN awards in 2007 for best female act.

B.O.U.Q.U.I left for the UK some years ago where she released the first single "MO RI LE", off the sophomore album which is titled REDEFINITION which had 17 tracks. 2013 has been a very fruitful year for B.O.U.Q.U.I. She staged the Love, Hope and War tour concert on the 8th of feb featuring Grammy nominee DA TRUTH, released a captivating video and now the World acclaimed Rapvangelist has been made the President of Xist Music Africa.

This came a few months after the rap queen recorded a song with one of Xist Music artistes and Grammy nominee "Da T.r.u.t.h" titled Celebrate. The deal includes international recordings with all Xist Music artistes and other relevant artistes in the world and an intensive distribution of B.O.U.Q.U.I's album and materials in the United States of America and the UK.

Since winning the best Hip Hop Artiste of the year award at the just concluded GMA 2013 she's been on her grind in the studio working on the released double album;which made her the first female artist in the history of nigerian music to release a double cd. MARKS OF A GENERAL and EVE OF INDEPENDENCE are available on iTunes!

On the 17th of April 2022, she officially released her first book titled "My naked parts" it was written about her life’s journey and all the decisions that led her to where she is.

The struggles of a celibate single woman in her forties.

She talks about her recovery for a decade now from abuse, the music life and pressure.

Which is a great book to read. You can get it here.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60839311-my-naked-parts