Veteran Nigerian rapper Olusegun Osaniyi, popularly known as Lord of Ajasa, has officially become a United States citizen.
The pioneer of Yoruba-language rap announced the milestone on Wednesday through his Instagram page, where he posted pictures and videos documenting the occasion.
One of the images showed the rapper holding his US citizenship certificate, while another captured him alongside his wife in front of the American flag.
The development sparked congratulatory messages from personalities in the Nigerian music industry, including music producer Olumide Ogunade, better known as ID Cabasa, and singer Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice.
“Congratulations Lord Oshi,” ID Cabasa wrote.
Responding to the music producer, Lord of Ajasa said, “Thanks Cabasa.”
9ice also celebrated the rapper, writing, “Congrats apase1👑🙌🙌🙌”
Lord of Ajasa replied, “Thanks Baalè.”
The rapper has earned a place in Nigerian music history for helping to push Yoruba rap into the mainstream at a time when English-language hip-hop dominated the scene.
He gained recognition with songs such as ‘Ma Yi Lo’ and went on to release tracks including ‘Le Fenu So’ and ‘Esa Lo Bade’.
Long before indigenous rap became a major force in Nigerian popular music, Lord of Ajasa had established himself as one of the artistes championing the use of Yoruba in hip-hop.
His influence has also been acknowledged by Olamide, who previously identified Lord of Ajasa and other rappers from the Akoka scene as inspirations for his decision to pursue Yoruba rap.
Lord of Ajasa also had ties to Coded Tunes, the label founded by ID Cabasa that became associated with the development of artistes including 9ice, Olamide and Reminisce.
His early work helped create a foundation that later indigenous rappers, including the late Dagrin, built on as Yoruba-language hip-hop gained wider commercial acceptance.
The rapper’s US citizenship marks a fresh milestone in his personal life while adding another chapter to the journey of an artiste widely regarded as one of the early architects of indigenous rap in Nigeria.
