EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The Rise and Rise of XPLAIN

Xplain’s talent needs no introduction. You don't get an International Management Deal on this continent if you are a pretender.
Doing himself justice, Xplain is one rapper that you should watch out for, his hard punch lines and creativity word play will definitely shoot him to fame.
As a further display of his ability, Salaye, his first official single was released and as predicted, Xplain killed it. Blessed with a unique Rap style, which allows him adapt to different styles and make great music, many expect him to be around for a long time to come.
The comparisons with late Dagrin was inevitable but Xplain has shown that he can stand on his own comfortably, while he's already co existing with bigger artists in Nigeria. Given that he is well on his way to super stardom, the experience will serve him well for when younger artists begin to look up to him. Under BWE's tutelage and Tee Dot Unbeaten's Production, it is fair to say his career will be moulded professionally.


Firstly, who's explain?
Xplain is a rapper also known as Labulo olatunji, a graduate of moshood abiola polytechnic and I have been doing music for over 10yrs now... But I do it for the passion I have for it

Wow, 10 years? Why that long?
You know have been on a low key before anyone noticed me, i go to studio to record some songs then come back to check out my mistakes, and while doing all that I've been doing it with my studies which really make it a little difficult for me to blend together but now am ready for the business part of it.

Cool, I got to know you when you drop your Salaye ft TeeDot Unbeaten, what was the inspiration behind it?
Well the inspiration behind the song was God actually because we never thought of doing any song that will be titled salaye and it goes like this, tee dOt did a beat and on getting to studio, me and Brain that faithful day, I started to freestyle some of the lines in salaye main song, and Tee Dot was like 'that is cool', so he liked the concept and we started writing and we recorded my verse, so I went out for something before I came back he (Tee Dot) has already recorded the chorus and it worked, so Brain came up with a little line for the chorus to make it blend and Tee Dot re-recorded it again and that was how we have Salaye as a song today

Some say you imitate late Dagrin even with his trade mark laugh (ehnehnehne) lolz... Is that true?
Well that was back then but now game has change WOOO JE OYE EE is new thing

Back to your background, how can you describe your childhood, growing up, and street life?
Omo my growing up has been tough for me, you know going to school with no kobo, even mama and papa expect me to robo (drop cash) *laff* But seriously, it has not been easy, my dad was a driver, mom a trader then but now a teacher because she went back to school, and you know my dad started with okada putting all the family on a single bike to our abule then, when I grew up self I have worked in block industry as a carrier, do brick layer while in school.. It has not been easy oo, oshamo. Hustle all the day.

Hmmmm, tough. With all this your struggle, what kept you going?
GOd ni o, and the passion for the game.

Recently, so many up and coming act are into Yoruba Rap, are you bothered?
Bothered keh everybody gat style, am not bothered about anyone, the way I write is different from others same apply to me for them too, so everybody is on his grind ni o

We learnt you're now under a management outfit based in the USA (BWE). How's is it going there?
Yeah everything is going on fine, just expect you guys to watch out when it time.

Xplain? How do u come by that name?
Have bear so many names like tunny jazz, excel etc but Xplain came to be as a result of creativity as in thinking because I don't wanna end up picking a name people will easily think about, you know some thing different!!

So, next year, what should we expect from Xplain?
Expect good songs, different jams...

So how do you interact with your fans, especially the female fans?
Well, just on a normal level, females fans has been nice

What's your greatest moment as an artiste till date?
Hmmmm Well my best moment was on a rap battle at rockcity FM last year, and my performance at mapoly where I pulled the crowd.

Finally, you've been nominated twice for GBAM Awards Male Of The Year and Collaboration Song Of The Year, how do you feel and what are your expectations?
Well I feel great and blessed, I wish to win both categories,But God knows best.

So how can we get to xplain on social network?
On twitter @Xplain_bwe. While On Facebook labulo olatunji .

Thanks for your time bro.
Na you Ohhhh!