By Segun Adebayo
Veteran Nigerian rapper Olusegun Osaniyi, popularly known as Lord of Ajasa, has officially become a citizen of the United States, marking a new chapter in the life of one of the pioneers of indigenous Nigerian hip-hop.
The rapper shared the development with his fans on social media, posting images from the citizenship ceremony and proudly displaying his United States citizenship certificate.
In one of the photographs, Lord of Ajasa was seen holding the certificate alongside the American flag, while another image showed him with his wife, Funmi, as they celebrated the milestone.
Lord of Ajasa also announced his new status in a video, expressing his excitement over becoming an American citizen and allowing fans and colleagues to share in the moment.
His citizenship comes years after he established himself as one of the early voices to popularise Yoruba-language rap in Nigeria, at a time when indigenous-language hip-hop was still developing.
The veteran rapper became widely recognised for songs including “Ma Yi Lo,” “Le Fenu So,” “Oti Ya” and “Esha Lo Bade,” with his distinctive delivery helping to create space for indigenous rap within Nigeria’s growing music industry.
His influence has also been acknowledged by a generation of artistes who emerged after him, with his career often mentioned in conversations about the evolution of Yoruba rap and the eventual rise of indigenous hip-hop acts.
The rapper’s career has crossed paths with several prominent figures in Nigerian music, including 9ice, ID Cabasa, Olamide and the late Da Grin, as the indigenous rap movement continued to gain prominence.
Following the announcement of his US citizenship, congratulatory messages have been pouring in from colleagues and fans, with fellow artistes and music industry figures celebrating the milestone with the veteran rapper.