In Lagos, where the city’s music scene often prizes spectacle over substance, Rheed1, born Raheem Rilwan Tobiloba, has carved out a place for himself through persistence and faith. With no label backing and no industry machinery at his disposal, he has built a career piece by piece, powered by resilience and conviction.
That resilience is hard won. Three years ago, Rheed1 lost his mother, a tragedy that reshaped his music and his life. “Back then, I sang mostly love songs,” he recalls. “But after losing her, everything shifted. Music became my way to tell the truth, to find peace, and to get closer to God.” His songs now carry the weight of that loss, tinged with grief, but also with a refusal to surrender.

“Pinnacle,” his breakout single, is as much a prayer as a performance. “Anything you start should begin with prayer,” he says. Its follow-up, “Solo,” functions as confession, a song that strips away his public optimism to reveal the struggles beneath. Together, they sketch the beginnings of a narrative he is building through his music: hardship, faith, and the hope of triumph.
Rheed1’s sound, an Afro-fusion of Afrobeats, soulful melodies, and cinematic flourishes – was forged in church, first on the drums, then in the choir, later with his guitar. “The guitar taught me how to pour emotion into sound,” he says. Both a singer and a producer, he crafts his songs with precision, chasing a sound that is “emotional, melodic, and real.”
His obstacles, he admits, are financial, not artistic. “I know I make good music. Whoever listens can tell. The only thing that holds me back is funding, not talent.” Yet that struggle has become central to his appeal. His songs carry the voice of someone who refuses to give up, and for his growing audience, they function as anthems of resilience.

Asked by Gritz what he wants listeners to take away from “Solo,” Rheed1 is quick to answer: doggedness. “Life is full of struggles, but we must fight, stay responsible, and motivate others. I want people to see a believer who still stands strong despite everything.”
His ambitions are global but measured. “I grew up listening to Michael Jackson. I want that kind of stardom, not just fame, but the ability to connect deeply with people.” And while open to label partnerships, he insists on creative control. “If I had the resources, I’d stay independent. But if a label comes, they must believe in my vision, not just the business side.”
Rheed1 laughs when asked to describe his music as a meal. “Pounded yam with egusi,” he replies. “It hits the right spot, gives satisfaction, and is tough, a meal for strong people.” His manager offers a gentler interpretation: “Or everyone’s favorite food; something universal.” Together, the two answers capture what Rheed1 is aiming for: music that is rooted, hearty, and resilient, yet expansive enough to reach anyone willing to listen.
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