Music Was My Solace, Now It’s My Mission” – Hibreed Shares His Journey

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Life gets tough for everyone at different levels in different phases but finding balance is what commensurates the struggles. For Shonukan Yaya Babatunde, known by the stage name “Hibreed”, music became his stabilizing force. With his unique sound and style in the Afro-fusion genre, Hibreed sure has mastered the skillful art of expressing his emotions and stories through music.

The journey wasn’t a smooth sailing ride as the struggle to find a voice, passion or purpose became a trademark of challenges as time went on. With the desire to find listening ears who would listen and relate with his story without the need to be judgemental, Hibreed decided to start sharing his personal experiences through music. Describing his music as a reflection of personal experiences, Hibreed began to see life with a beacon of hope, yet again. “I realized that my music could be more than just a melody – it could be a message of hope.” He says.

Reflecting on his early days in the industry, Hibreed recalls a pivotal moment when the early triumph in his music career didn’t last for long. “One of the most impactful moments in my journey as an upcoming artist was when I released a song that didn’t get the attention I hoped for” He narrates. “I had poured my heart into it, and the lack of recognition hit me hard”.

From this, Hibreed emerged with a valuable lesson:an artist’s journey is defined not by immediate success, but by the resilience that develops during struggles. Rather than giving up, he built a moral determination to channel this experience. A realization that success doesn’t happen overnight but rather a gradual process where every setback is an opportunity for growth.

As a testament to this growth, Hibreed shares how his persistence has paid off as he is now able to build authentic connections with his audience. As an artist who proudly wears the badge of his persistence, he shares how every song and live performance only feel like a win when his fans connect with them on a personal level.

Looking to the future, Hibreed is not only committed to continuing his story through music but hopes to inspire and positively impact the next generation of artists by creating supportive programs for emerging artists, providing them with resources and guidance to help them find their happy place in music just as he found his.