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For Nigerian singer and songwriter Mobolaji Feyisayo Oluwabi, popularly known as Mo’ Believe, heartbreak became an opportunity to confront the expectations placed on men and ask a question that inspired his deeply personal album, Flowers for Boys: who gives men their flowers while they are still alive?
Inspired by a failed relationship, the project explores vulnerability, emotional struggles and the pressure on men to meet expectations without receiving adequate appreciation. Mo’ Believe said the woman he loved became a mirror through which he confronted his shortcomings. Despite trying to become the man she wanted, the relationship ended, leaving him to reflect on his efforts and emotional struggles.
“I realised that, like many other men, the only time I would probably get flowers was at my graveside. So, I started writing songs to say, ‘I dey try, give me my flowers too,’” he said.
Beyond heartbreak, the album examines the realities of manhood in a society where men are expected to provide and persevere, even amid economic hardship. While As a Man reflects the struggle to fulfil responsibilities in Nigeria’s difficult economic climate, Quick Fix explores the feelings of inadequacy he experienced in his relationship.
“I was telling my manager, Dare Adenaiya, that this might be my most vulnerable project ever. Almost all the songs come from a personal place,” he said.
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Comparing the album with his earlier project, Odù, Mo’ Believe said his music had become more adventurous in its fusion of genres, while he had grown more confident in expressing his emotions. Some songs emerged from everyday experiences. Almajiri, for instance, was inspired by a telephone conversation with a woman asking him to pay for something. He explained in Yoruba that his income came at specific intervals and his expenses were already budgeted.
Shortly afterwards, his producer, Jay Blakez, sent him a beat, and he immediately recorded the song, turning an ordinary exchange into a reflection on financial realities and relationship expectations.
Drinks with My Bros, meanwhile, began as a song he wrote while missing his girlfriend. He later sent the idea to Oniilu, who produced the beat for the final record. Despite Afrobeats’ emphasis on love, wealth and enjoyment, Mo’ Believe said he was not deliberately trying to stand apart from the mainstream. “To be honest, I wasn’t trying to be an outlier or anything. I was simply expressing my feelings and emotions through music,” he said.
For him, music’s impact goes beyond streaming numbers and viral moments. He considers it more rewarding when listeners say his songs helped them through difficult periods. “Going viral is great, especially for the financial returns. But I think the real impact lies in using music to change lives and having people tell me, ‘Bro, this song helped me out of a tough situation,’” he said.
Beyond music, Mo’ Believe is committed to making Nigerian culture appealing to contemporary audiences. His clothing line, Qulture Inc., embodies this philosophy by blending traditional menswear with urban aesthetics. He hopes his music and fashion will contribute to a cultural legacy that connects generations.
Inspired by Fuji and Juju musicians who have built extensive catalogues over decades, Mo’ Believe wants to release as many albums as possible while creating songs that become lasting markers of people’s lives. He recalls his father’s ability to remember what he was wearing and doing when he first heard King Sunny Ade’s Ori Mi Ja Funmi. To him, that connection between music and memory captures the power of a lasting song. “I want people to be able to tell their children, ‘Back in 2026, when I was doing this or going through that, I used to listen to Mo’ Believe,’” he said.
Ultimately, Flowers for Boys is both a personal account of heartbreak and a reflection on masculinity, cultural identity and emotional expression. Through the album, Mo’ Believe makes a case for recognising men’s struggles and appreciating their efforts while they are still here to receive their flowers.
