Chisom Russell Ogboi better known as "Asimpleloner" is a Nigerian rapper. producer and hip-hop artiste from Edo, born on October 18, 2001, he sees himself as the voice of the new generation.
A rising icon of hope and a symbol of resilience for aspiring artistes and fans alike. His music, with its infectious beats and uplifting messages, has the power to brighten lives and inspire dreams. With each note, he continues to touch lives and leave an enduring legacy in the hearts of all who hear his sound and melodies.
In this interview, He bares it all as He talks about His artistry, dreams, motivation and plans for the future.
Can you introduce yourself to our readers, and tell them who you are and what you do?
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My name is Chisom Russell Ogboi, popularly known as "Asimpleloner". I see myself as the voice of the new Hiphop generation. I am very passionate about music in general. I see it as a tool for change and a way of touching lives and ministering to people. I am from Edo state.
"Asimpleloner", why did you choose that name as your moniker? How did that name come about? Does that name hold any symbolic meaning for you?
I love to define myself as someone who dislikes complications, I'm a simple guy, and most times when I go through tough times, I always figure out a way for myself, so Asimpleloner it is lol.
Who is Chisom, ASIMPLELONER?
Chisom is a simple loner hahaha. Well, I am that young man with a dream for the world to hear my story and struggles through my music.
Tell us about your childhood and your struggles growing up?
Hmmm, Okay. I grew up in the trenches so you can say I am a real trenchtown kid, but an exposed one. I had a sick dad so my life was basically school, home and church. As a child I didn't have the niceties and basic things, so I didn't have the standard life. I didn't experience lots of things like going out with the family, having fun, or interacting with the other kids in the streets because my parents didn't want that for my siblings and I.
And just because you find yourself in dire conditions doesn't mean you gotta mix yourself up with it 100%, plus, I come from a family of Jehovah's Witnesses, so mixing up with people wasn't that easy. You know how Jehovah's Witnesses get bashed lol. Being part of the church helped with my exposure, dealing with new people all the time due to door to door preachings, it built my confidence and interactional skills.
I have always been in the music scene, involving myself with the entertainment world both in church and in school, and I was quite popular too.
How do you handle the pressure and expectations that come with being an artist?
Like I previously said, I'm not in music for clout, the bright lights or to follow trends. I see myself as a one man army and I carry my craft wherever I go. So I never let my environment or expectation of others pressure me. I always stay in my own lane and when you are in your lane there's no pressure or holdup.
So far you have 2 songs out, "Jump Frog & "Blueprint" both released in 2024 & 2025 respectively. Why the gap in releasing the songs?
There's no rule to music, especially when it comes to releasing them. I try to have fun with it. And secondly being an independent artist, I can't move the way signed artists move, you feel me... it takes longer for me to get things done, I've gotta do the networking myself, managing myself, basically everything about marketing my music and career is done by singlehandedly which takes time, so yeah. Besides music is also a business and like every business it needs finances and being independent, I have to move at a pace my pocket can accommodate.
You have a collaboration with "Ok Effect", how did that happen?
Crazy hahaha, it just happened. I met OK in CapeTown November last year, I was trying to shoot the video for Jump Frog and he was recommended to me by a friend, Walking Woo, but we couldn't work cause he was booked so I had to shoot with Jacob, a South African videographer. On the second day, because it was a 2 day shoot, Chris (Walking Woo) r Reyes out to OK and in few minutes he was at the scene with his camcorder and took visuals, he loved my style and came out to support regardless of him not being able to take the job and we built a relationship from there. He always wanted to know what it feels like to be in a studio with me. January this year, he dropped a freestyle and I was impressed so I hit him up, invited him to the studio and that was it.
What's your motivation when you are in the studio making music?
My music is centered around my real life experiences and things I have gone through, and the things I'm experiencing and the things I'm looking forward to. As an artist my mindset is focused on using my music to spread positive energy, and to touch lives positively too.
What do you aim to achieve and where do you see your career in the next 5 years?
We are gonna see hahaha. I am hoping that in 5 years I will be selling out venues and filling out stadiums. I want to be one of the biggest hiphop artists from Edo state in the mold of my brothers, Rema & Shallippopi.
So far you have only released one video, and that was for "JUMP FROG" in 2024. Are you planning any new releases any time soon?
The Video was released January this year, the audio was August last year (2024). Definitely, I'm always planning on something, trust me lol.
Do you have any plans of releasing an EP or new music soon? When should your fans be expecting new music for you?
I'm working on something, could be an EP, could be just a single, but it's coming. My fans are not starved, I've got two new songs out but just on YouTube. Like I said, I try to have fun with it. The real fans know about these releases and they love them as well.
Looking at your journey's trajectory so far, is there anything you would do differently given the chance? Do you have any regrets?
I wish I did have regrets but the truth is; when things don't go the way you want it to, you can either let it get to you or turn it into something positive for the brand. Bad experiences build me. I just focus on the future which I believe is always greater than the past or what's lost. Everything I did in the past is what is supposed to happen and I don't think there's anything I would have done differently that's why I am here right now at this moment.
What are your plans for the future?
Ya'll gon' see hahaha, but trust that I have loads of plans that will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
Are you signed to any label? Do you have any management or distribution deals with anyone or do you intend to keep doing things independently?
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Currently I am not signed to a label, and no I don't intend to do things independently, but for now that's how it has to be. I want to build my brand to a reasonable level so I will have leverage before accepting deals.
What's your greatest fear as an artist?
Fear? Can't think of any, but maybe the fear of not being able to do music anymore for any reason.
What advice do you have for upcoming artists like yourself?
Learn skills, it makes the job easier. I directed my music video, that's a skill, I'm a mixing & mastering engineer, that's a skill, I do a little bit of graphics too. Learning and mastering skills makes it easier to move forward and not worry about having enough money to pay for certain services.
What's next for Asimpleloner? What should your fans expect beyond 2025?
Expect the unexpected lol. My gas should expect more music and more videos too. The aim is to be more consistent with releasing music for my fans.
How do you feel when people refer to you as an upcoming artist, does it trigger or motivate you?
I think it's better to start from somewhere and it's better to be called an upcoming artist than nothing. An upcoming artist will always get past that stage and that's the phase I'm in right now and what I'm pushing through. And in our life's journey and experiences one can't take for granted the power of small beginnings.
