Nigerian musical duo Ajebo Hustlers reveal that friends and family advised them to quit music due to their lack of financial success in the early years of their careers.
The Port Harcourt-born singers recount their reliance on the assistance of family members and friends, notably K-Switch, the younger brother of singer D’banj, as they embarked on their journey in the music industry.
The ‘Barrow’ discusses these experiences on the latest episode of the Afrobeat podcast hosted by Shopsydoo.
They said, “We squatted with K-Switch in 2016. I’m not playing. 2017: Nothing was popping. It was 2018, we were still trying to push, and then we made a record in 2019 with King Perry. I think we were squatting somewhere then.
“That time we were squatting because the music was not working and you now have friends that are telling you, omo, thus music is not working, you sure say you try to enter street,”
Ajebo Hustlers, a Nigerian Afrobeat and Highlife duo, consists of Knowledge (Isaiah Precious), the rapper, and Piego (George Dandeson), the vocalist and hook master. Raised in Old GRA, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria, they crossed paths while working together at a restaurant in 2010.
In 2014, Piego released his first solo project, shortly after the duo joined forces and adopted the name ‘Ajebo Hustlers.’ They then released their debut single, titled “Bole and Fish.”
Their breakthrough came with the success of “Bole and Fish,” leading to collaborations with notable artists like Kayswitch, who was featured in their 2015 single “Buruku.”
In 2017, Ajebo Hustlers released their first body of work, an Extended Play project titled “New School Oldies,” featuring guest appearances from Yung6ix, Soma, Terry Apala, and Major Bankz.
The duo gained the attention of renowned Nigerian hip-hop artist and YBNL boss, Olamide, with their 2020 release “Barawo.” The single also earned a spot on Apple Music’s Naija Hits playlist, further increasing their recognition.
