X  Who is Bello Sisqo? The Nigerian entertainment industry has been the fastest-growing industry that I know Bello Sisqo Bello Sisqo is a ...

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Who is Bello Sisqo?

The Nigerian entertainment industry has been the fastest-growing industry that I know

Bello Sisqo

Bello Sisqo is a Nigerian-born singer, songwriter, and dancer based in Germany and in this interview, the young artist talks about his sojourn in Germany, and his relationship with Nigerian singers among other issues.

Who is Bello Sisqo?

My real name is Bello Abubakar Sheriff and I am known in the entertainment industry as Bello Sisqo. I was born in the Borno state of Nigeria precisely in Bama local government area. However, I grew up in Kano state where I did my conventional studies as well as my Islamic educational pursuit before fully venturing into the entertainment sector.

Presently, I am a songwriter, a musician, and a dancer. I am presently also based in Germany.

How did you venture into entertainment?

Entertainment has been something that I can openly say, has been inherent in me. At a very tender age I was a dancer and started teaching dancing at Farida cinema Rijiyar Lemo in Kano. I later graduated to become a dancing tutor in the Kannywood filmmaking industry. I tutor dance steps in most of Ali Nuhu and Adam A Zango’s films among others. With time I developed the skills to sing and I decided to give it a try. I began recording my songs at Auwal DJ studio and within a very short period I started shooting my song videos, and in no time the name Bello Sisqo went viral in the Hausa entertainment industry.

I later met famous Nigerian singer and social media influencers Chizo Germany and Bobo who are originally from the northern part of Nigeria, we did a collaborative song called ‘Fada Da Gaskiya”. It was that song that shot me to the limelight and stardom in my career pursuit as a singer. Moreover, with support from Chizo Germany, I traveled to Germany in Europe where I continued with my entertainment pursuit.

How would you describe your stay in Germany as an entertainer from Africa?

You see, as an entertainer with a rich cultural background, I was taken like a brother by some Germans to who I came to relate with as friends. They have accommodated me since 2015 to date. I got a job as a dance tutor where I couch Hausa's traditional dance steps and that of other African cultures. After that, I and my friend Chizo began to record songs in Hausa.

In Europe people respect you when you dearly hold on to your culture, though we reside in Germany, we never ceased to do our songs in the Hausa language and still make an impact and waves as well. We earned respect and adoration from the Europeans and other Africans which is why we were able to make it in Europe and still remain there as active as always. 

How many songs were you able to do while in Germany?

I was able to do a lot of songs in collaboration with stars across Nigeria and the globe as well. I did a song with Ice Prince, Jaywillz,Singah, Dijah, and Zinolisky among other top Nigerian artists. I also did a song with artists from Europe such as Gambiya, Jizzle, and Chiara Damico among others, and in Africa, I did a song with artists like Macvoice from Tanzania. I also did several songs with Northern Nigerian artists like Adam A Zango, Hamisu Breaker, Ado Gwanja , Ali Jita,  Umar M Shareef, DJ Ab, Deezell, Sojaboy, Auta Mg Boy, Chizo 1 Germany, Classiq, Ahmad Shanawa –among many others.

How would you rate the Nigerian entertainment industry?

To be honest with you, I can say that the Nigerian entertainment industry has been one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. The industry has projected not only Nigeria as a nation but also that of the continent as a vibrant industry to the global community. We have seen how Nigerians were selected to perform at the recently concluded world cup in Qatar.

Indeed, the entertainment industry of Nigeria has come of age and I can tell you this that the sky is its limit. However, I still believe that there is a need to do more in terms of sponsorship, management, and promotions; these will no doubt lift the industry to a greater height by God’s grace.

What is the level of your relationship with artists back in Nigeria?

We have a very strong cordial relationship, and though residing in Germany, I still see myself as a Nigerian doing the Nigerian thing in Europe. As I have mentioned earlier, I have done several works with Nigerian artists both those in Lagos and those from the northern part, which I think is a clear indicator of the cordial relationship I have with the Nigerian entertainment industry.

The industry has been very supportive and encouraging and I believe the gesture extended to me has been a uniform approach to all artists in the nation and beyond because I have done songs with other African artists as well.

Did you win any awards as an entertainer?

Yes, I did, I won the award Best in Northern International Artist award and also won the Best Music Video of the year award in 2021 as well as the best EU artist award among many other international and local awards.

 Are you married or in any serious relationship?

I am not into any, for now, my career pursuit is what I am after for now and other things can come later. However, I have plans to settle down when the time comes, but for now, I am not married and not in a relationship.