Priesst’s music journey began in 2015 as a hobby, built around covers and freestyles shared online. Although he did not immediately commit to music after high school, those early years helped him understand how to express emotion through sound. This period shaped his approach to storytelling and laid the foundation for the sincerity that now defines his work.

For Priesst, progress is rooted in growth and patience. Rather than chasing quick success, he focuses on refining his craft and developing steadily. This mindset has guided his rise, allowing him to build a career grounded in consistency and purpose. His early releases, including “Preach” and “God When”, introduced his sound, but it was “Miwa” in 2021 that marked a turning point. Written as a personal gift for his sister, the record reflected emotional honesty and strengthened his commitment to authentic storytelling.

Collaboration has also played a key role in his development. From Falz to Eminass, Priesst prioritises creative alignment and shared vision, ensuring that every partnership supports his artistic direction. Released in 2025, his debut EP ‘Kurima’ captured a vulnerable phase of his life. Shaped by pain and gratitude, the project offered listeners a deeper insight into his personal experiences and emotional depth.

In 2026, “Akonuche” emerged as an unexpected online success. Originally recorded as a freestyle, the song’s reception highlighted the power of sincerity and spontaneity in his creative process. From “Miwa” to “Akonuche”, Priesst has continued to evolve. While rooted in hip-hop, he has learned to simplify his expression without losing depth, making his music more accessible to a wider audience.

In a conversation with TurnTable,  Priesst talks about his hit single “Akonuche”, growth and patience in the music industry, collaborations and more.

TTC: You began your professional music journey in 2015 right after high school. What pushed you to take music seriously at that point in your life?

Priesst: Honestly, I wasn’t taking music seriously at first. It started as a hobby. Around 2015, I was mostly doing covers and posting freestyles on Instagram, not really releasing original songs. I dropped my first song in 2018 on Audiomack under a different name, but even then, it wasn’t something I fully committed to right after school. I only started taking music seriously around 2020.

TTC: Before stepping fully into rapping, you built your foundation as an instrumentalist, playing the drums and keyboard. How did that early musical training shape your sound and songwriting today?

Priesst: That early phase helped me a lot though. It taught me how to tie emotions into my music. Music isn’t just sound; there’s emotion and intent behind it. That period helped me understand what I wanted to express and how to express it better.

TTC: You often speak about growth and consistency. What does “progress” look like to you at this stage of your career?

Priesst: Right now, progress to me is a combination of growth and patience. As you grow, you refine your craft and gain a better understanding of what you’re doing. If you’re truly growing, progress naturally follows and patience is what allows you to keep progressing consistently.

TTC: Your debut single “Miwa” dropped in 2021. Looking back now, what did that record represent for you as an emerging artiste?

Priesst: My first official song dropped around 2018/2019. It was titled “Preach”, followed by “God When”. I eventually took “Preach” down. “Miwa” was a special one, it was a song I made for my sister as her birthday gift. I sang it for her and it came from a very genuine place. That authenticity is really what most of my music represents, how I truly feel.

TTC: Collaborations have been an important part of your journey, from Falz on “Puff Puff Pass” to Eminass on “Holy Water.” How do you decide who fits into your creative world?

Priesst: ”Holy Water” belonged to Eminass, who is a close friend and a huge part of my journey. He’s also an artiste who really believed in me. We connected, vibed, and created “Holy Water” together. When it comes to deciding who fits into my creative world, it usually comes down to one of two things, energy or alignment with the message and sound I’m trying to create. Falz has always been an inspiration to me. Because I did a lot of covers and sometimes mimicked artistes early on, I’ve developed an ear for knowing who fits where. It’s not always about vocals, it could be flow, message, delivery, or even energy. I can usually tell just by listening if it works or not.

TTC: Your debut EP Kurima arrived in 2025. What was the central idea you wanted listeners to take away from that project?

Priesst: I made that project from a place of pain. A lot of the songs were written when I was going through a really tough period. Tracks like ”Welp”, “Family”, and even “Kurima” came from a mix of pain and gratitude. I was hurting at the time, and I just wanted to share that honestly with the world.

TTC: Starting 2026 with “Akonuche” and seeing it become an online sensation, did you anticipate that level of reception, or did it surprise you?

Priesst: The reception honestly surprised me. I didn’t expect it at all. I didn’t even plan to put it out as a song initially, it was just a freestyle. I’m so grateful for how people received it.

TTC: With growing attention around your name, what do you think truly sets Priesst apart in the current Nigerian music landscape?

Priesst: I’ve been on a journey of finding my sound. I’m originally a rapper and songwriter, but hip-hop in Nigeria isn’t the same as hip-hop in America. I knew that what appeals to the average Nigerian listener is different. Early in my career, I was very focused on punchlines and bars, I just wanted people to know I was good. Over time, I learned how to simplify my expression without losing the hardness of it. For me, evolution was learning how to say mind-blowing things in the simplest way possible, doing what I love in a way that connects more deeply with people.  My consciousness. I try to make conscious music, music that speaks for the people, relates to them, represents their realities, and communicates something meaningful to them.

TTC: Finally, when people look back at this phase of your career years from now, what do you hope they say about Priesst and his contribution to the culture? 

Priesst: I hope that when people speak about me, they speak about my realness and authenticity. I want them to see hope in my story and see me as a source of inspiration, someone who shows that if I can do it, they can too.