Limoblaze

Samuel Onwubiko, professionally known as Limoblaze, is a Nigerian gospel rapper, singer, songwriter and recording artist whose music sits at the intersection of Afrobeats, Afro-gospel and hip-hop. Born on October 25, 1995, and raised in Makurdi, Benue State, he developed an interest in music at an early age and eventually turned that interest into a career built around faith, African rhythms and contemporary hip-hop. He is known for presenting Christian themes through the energetic sounds of Afrobeats and for helping push Afro-gospel into international music spaces.

Limoblaze began performing under his stage name in the early 2010s and released his first major projects independently before attracting a growing audience in Nigeria and abroad. His albums Blind (2016), Before Now (2018) and Afrobeats Rap and Jesus (2019) established his identity as an urban Christian artist. His international profile expanded considerably through collaborations with artists such as Lecrae, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Travis Greene, Ada Ehi and CalledOut Music.

His biggest global breakthrough came with “Jireh (My Provider),” a 2022 collaboration with American Christian rapper Lecrae and Nigerian singer Happi. The song, which reworked the popular “Jireh” by Elevation Worship and Maverick City Music into an Afrobeats setting, introduced Limoblaze’s sound to a much wider audience and became a major example of the growing international reach of Afro-gospel.

Quick Facts

Early Life and Background

Limoblaze was born into a large Christian family and grew up in Makurdi, Benue State. He is one of eight children of Samuel and Nkechi Onwubiko. His childhood took place in a predominantly Muslim part of Makurdi, but his family remained deeply involved in Christianity, and church was an important part of his upbringing. Reach Records later described his childhood as one in which his parents encouraged him to pursue his interests while keeping him grounded in his Christian faith.

His attraction to music began early. Around the age of eight, he discovered American hip-hop and became particularly interested in artists such as Tupac Shakur, Eminem and 50 Cent. He also admired Michael Jackson and the British pop group Westlife. At first, his interest was primarily in rap and performance rather than Christian music.

As he grew older, he began writing his own lyrics and performing at talent shows and local events. These performances helped him develop the energetic stage presence that would eventually become one of the defining characteristics of his career. He later discovered Christian hip-hop artists such as Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Tedashii, Da’ T.R.U.T.H. and the Ambassador, which showed him that his love of rap could coexist with his Christian faith.

Education and Beginning of His Music Career

Limoblaze studied Biochemistry at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi. Although he originally considered a future in medicine and later thought about studying Pharmacy, his plans changed as he became increasingly serious about music. In an interview with Rapzilla, he explained that he eventually chose Biochemistry as an alternative route toward his earlier interest in pharmaceutical science, although he ultimately moved away from that career path.

His professional music journey began while he was a student. He became involved with Daystar Church and began developing his identity as a Christian recording artist. He started making music professionally around 2012 and released a series of early recordings as he refined his sound and message.

The name Limoblaze came from his own name. He has explained that “Limo” was formed from the L in Samuel and Imo, his middle name, while “Blaze” was chosen because of its association with something burning. Unlike some stage names with elaborate spiritual meanings, the name was largely a creative combination of his personal name and a word he liked.

Career and Musical Breakthrough

Limoblaze initially built his career independently, releasing music that combined Christian rap with the hip-hop sounds he had grown up listening to. His early albums included Blind, released in 2016, and Before Now, released in 2018. These projects established him within the Nigerian Christian hip-hop scene and helped him begin attracting listeners outside Nigeria.

A major shift came with Afrobeats Rap and Jesus, released in 2019. The album represented a clearer embrace of Afrobeats as a vehicle for Christian music. Rather than simply placing Christian lyrics over conventional rap production, Limoblaze increasingly explored African rhythms, melodies and contemporary Afropop sounds.

The change proved significant. His music began reaching audiences outside Africa, and his collaborations with international Christian artists expanded his profile. His growing reputation eventually led to his signing with Reach Records in October 2022. He became the Nigerian-born, UK-based label’s first international signing, joining a roster historically associated with Christian hip-hop.

Before signing with Reach Records, Limoblaze had already released several major projects, including Bridges with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. in 2020 and God’s Favourite Baby in 2021. His subsequent work with Reach Records included Sunday in Lagos, released in October 2022, and Young & Chosen, released in 2024.

Musical Style and Influences

Limoblaze’s sound is built around the meeting point between Afrobeats and Christian hip-hop. His songs frequently use lively African percussion, melodic hooks, rap verses and contemporary production while maintaining explicitly Christian themes.

His musical influences span several generations and styles. The lyrical energy of Tupac and Eminem helped shape his early approach to rap, while Michael Jackson and Westlife influenced his appreciation for performance and melody. Later, Christian rappers including Lecrae, Andy Mineo and Tedashii showed him how hip-hop could be used to communicate Christian beliefs without losing its cultural identity.

One of the most distinctive aspects of Limoblaze’s music is his effort to make Christian music sound natural within contemporary African popular culture. Rather than treating gospel music as a separate musical world, he places faith directly inside the rhythms and language of Afrobeats. His songs can therefore appeal to listeners who enjoy modern African music while still carrying messages about God, faith, identity and everyday life.

Notable Songs and Albums

Limoblaze’s early discography includes Blind (2016), Before Now (2018) and Afrobeats Rap and Jesus (2019). He followed these with Bridges, a collaborative project with Da’ T.R.U.T.H., and God’s Favourite Baby in 2021.

His 2022 project Sunday in Lagos became one of the most important releases of his career. The seven-track project included “Pull Up,” “Desire,” “Hosanna,” “I Believe,” “Gold,” “Company” and “Jireh (My Provider).” It presented a bright, celebratory version of Afro-gospel while drawing directly from the sound and atmosphere of Lagos.

“Jireh (My Provider)” became the standout recording. Featuring Lecrae and Happi, the song transformed the worship song “Jireh” into an Afrobeats-driven track. Its international reception helped introduce Limoblaze to listeners far beyond the African gospel market and demonstrated the commercial potential of Afro-gospel on a global scale.

He followed Sunday in Lagos with Young & Chosen in 2024. The album includes songs such as “Holy Father,” “No Greater Love,” “Happy,” “My Time,” “One Day,” “Rest,” “Victory,” “Transformation” and “Put It On God.” A seven-track Young & Chosen (Power Pack) followed later that year.

In 2026, Limoblaze released Solid Ground, an eight-track album that includes collaborations with artists such as Andy Mineo, DC3, Elle Limebear, Greatman Takit, Jackie Hill Perry and Princeton South. The album contains tracks including “God Did It,” “Cole Palmer,” “JOY,” “Tinbake,” “WAY,” “Super Power” and “Pray.”

Major Collaborations and Awards

Collaboration has been a major part of Limoblaze’s international growth. He has worked with a wide range of Christian artists from Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States, including Lecrae, Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Travis Greene, Ada Ehi, CalledOut Music, Andy Mineo, Joe L Barnes and others.

His partnership with Lecrae has been particularly significant. “Jireh (My Provider)” gave both artists an opportunity to bring together Nigerian Afrobeats, American Christian hip-hop and contemporary worship. The song’s success became an important milestone for the international Afro-gospel movement.

Limoblaze has also received recognition from several gospel music organizations. He won Best International Act at the 2019 Premier Gospel Awards and was recognized as Afro Rap Artist of Excellence at the African Gospel Music and Media Awards. In 2022, he won International Artist of the Year at the Step FWD Awards and Best International Act at the Premier Gospel Awards. His growing international profile was further reflected when he won Best Gospel Act at the 2024 MOBO Awards.

Current Career and Legacy

Limoblaze is now based in the United Kingdom while maintaining strong connections to Nigeria and the wider African Christian music community. His work continues to develop through both solo releases and international collaborations. His 2026 album Solid Ground reflects the broader direction of his career, bringing together Afrobeats, Christian hip-hop and contemporary gospel influences while featuring artists from different parts of the Christian music world.

His career has also contributed to the growing visibility of Afro-gospel as an international genre. Artists working in the style have increasingly found audiences outside Africa, and Limoblaze has been one of the artists at the forefront of that movement. His ability to combine distinctly African rhythms with the lyrical conventions of Christian hip-hop has allowed him to occupy a space between African popular music and the global Christian music industry.

From his early performances at local talent shows in Makurdi to international collaborations and major award recognition, Limoblaze’s journey has been defined by an unusual combination of faith, hip-hop culture and African musical identity. Rather than choosing between the worlds that influenced him, he has built his career around bringing them together. That approach has made him an important figure in the modern Afro-gospel movement and one of the Nigerian artists helping introduce the sound to a global audience.