Fast-rising rapper and singer, Apelete Victor, known simply as Apelete, has released his debut extended play titled “Jiggy’s Heart”, a five-track street-rooted project filled with raw emotions, ghetto tales, and love-centred anthems.

The project, now streaming on all platforms, sees the Lagos-based act blending Hip Hop, African rhythms and sing-rapping to tell personal stories many Nigerian youth can relate to.

Speaking on the inspiration behind the project, he said, “The creation of this project started off with a motive to express and showcase myself, my perspective of my own life and how I feel as a person, a human being; differently in a very (masculine) way that feels so attractive that I can see and make out beauty out of everything and every situation.”

Opening the EP with Young G, Apelete reflects on pain, growth and survival, recalling his past as a puff-puff seller and life on the streets. He moves into the energetic Jiggy Bop, where he mixes confidence and hustle vibes.

On “Superstar Life”, he shares his views on living free and staying true to self: “2AM we dey for Folixx/Think about police/Na popo dey guide me.”

He switches gears with Bad, a collaboration with DTO, celebrating sensual love, before wrapping it up on a romantic note with “Jiggy Boys 4L“, a guitar-rich jam that shows a softer side of the self-proclaimed “Jiggy Boy”.

“The EP shows my journey as a Jiggy Boy. It’s all about love — self-love, love for family and that one special person,” he said.

He artiste revealed that he first recorded music in 2019, but officially debuted with “Kashamadupe” in 2022.

“It’s just a song about self-gratitude and self-awareness. It made me realise people could actually want to listen to me,” he said.

When asked about his earliest influences, Apelete didn’t hesitate: “I would say Wizkid, Olamide, Davido. Legends!”

On his sound, he said: “I would like to classify my sound as basically street pop. Very raw, original and energetic.”

He dreams of collaborations with artists like Bella Shmurda, Runtown, Olamide, and international star J Hus.

“My vision as a mission is to connect with listeners and impact their lives through my music,” he added.