Fares Boulos, known professionally as Oyibo Rebel, is an American musician and actor based in Lagos, Nigeria. He has released music blending Afrobeats and rap with Yoruba influences.
Oyibo Rebel | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Fares Boulos |
| Also known as | Farastafarian |
| Born | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Origin | Lagos, Nigeria |
| Genres | |
| Instrument | vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
Early life
editFares Boulos was born in Houston, Texas. His Lebanese father, Massad Boulos, is a business executive active in Nigeria, while his French mother, Sarah Boulos, founded the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN).[1][2][3] At the age of five, Boulos moved with his family to Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the American International School of Lagos alongside his siblings.[1][3]
Boulos described moving to Lagos as a culture shock. He learned Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba and engaged with local customs during his formative years.[1][4] He later pursued higher education in Los Angeles, California, where he studied liberal arts with a concentration in theatre. Following this, he moved to London to complete a master’s degree, focusing on acting and performance.[1][3]
Career
editBoulos began exploring music during his teenage years, inspired by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. In Lagos, he attended events at the New Afrika Shrine and performed Fela’s songs during informal gatherings.[1] During his time in Los Angeles, he wrote and performed a play titled Abami Eda and The Curse of The Black Gold, in which he portrayed multiple characters, including Fela Kuti.[1]
In London, Boulos participated in acting projects, including an uncredited role in Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald[2] and a brief non-speaking role in the Netflix series The Crown.[3]
In 2012, Boulos returned to Nigeria and released a single titled "One Day" under the stage name Farastafarian.[1][4] This name, derived from his interactions with Rastafarian communities at Tarkwa Bay in Lagos, was later changed to Oyibo Rebel. The new stage name reflected his intention to challenge stereotypes about expatriates in Nigeria and highlight his connection to the culture.[1][3]
Under the name Oyibo Rebel, Boulos released the single "Oju Mi Bloody," featuring Mz Kiss and Chinko Ekun. His music combines elements of Afrobeats, rap, and Yoruba influences. He worked with Nigerian producers T-Weezy and Killertunes to create tracks that incorporate both Nigerian and global musical styles.[1][3]
Personal life
editBoulos considers Nigeria his home.[3] He is married to Alisa Boulos.[4] His brother Michael Boulos is a business executive married to American socialite Tiffany Trump.[3]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i Alake, Motolani (10 March 2020). "Meet Oyibo Rebel, the Lagos-bred Lebanese rapper dishing out Yoruba bars [Interview]". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ a b Portee, Allyson (2020-11-11). "Oyibo Rebel is The Lebanese Afrobeats Artist With A Foot In Two Continents". GQ Middle East. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Okanlawon, Ajani (2021-01-24). "Meet Oyibo Rebel, Trump's daughter's future brother-in-law". QED.NG. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
- ^ a b c "Oyibo Rebel: Naija babes have a place in my heart". The Nation Newspaper. 2022-03-25. Retrieved 2024-12-01.