When ‘Escaladizzy’ hit the internet, Mavo (Marvin Ukanigbe Oseremen) went from underground to viral in a matter of days. What was meant to be just another song quickly became the anthem of the moment, taking over TikTok and streaming platforms alike. But this wasn’t a random stroke of luck. Mavo’s rise had been building for years. Years of refining his sound, learning the game, and building his presence on platforms like SoundCloud laid the groundwork for this breakthrough.
The track’s success didn’t stop there. It caught the attention of some heavyweight artists such as Zlatan, Ayra Starr and Shallipopi, leading to a high-profile remix that further solidified Mavo’s place in the conversation. With this remix, his sound has reached even wider audiences, firmly establishing him as a force to be reckoned with.
Mavo sits down with WTS to speak about his journey, the story behind ‘Escaladizzy’ and the vision driving his music forward.
You’ve been making music for a while now. Where did it all begin for you?
For six years, I studied in Edo state. That gave me a flexible hand. I started writing music back in secondary school, SS1 to be specific. I was learning the language and culture, and that made me more flexible with my lyrics. I was already writing and trying to blend in “lamba” and “lingo” into my music from that time.
So, how did you transition into taking music seriously, especially while in university, as you started on SoundCloud?
Yeah, I initially started on SoundCloud, just putting my music out for friends and sharing it on platforms like Apple Music. But when I reached my 400-level in university, I met some friends who told me, “You need to take this seriously.” That really stuck with me. I had songs out there, but I didn’t have control over my accounts, so I had to talk to the guy managing my stuff and ask him to take everything down so I could start fresh. I started again from scratch, dropped some stuff on SoundCloud, and built a small community there. I didn’t want to just leave my music in a weird place; I wanted it to reach more people, properly.
When I dropped one of my early songs, I personally messaged people. Girls, guys, friends. Some of them ignored me; I still have the screenshots. But then, my current manager reached out and said, “Yo, we need to drop this song. Can you take it off SoundCloud?” That’s when I knew something was about to happen.
What does your tagline, “No More Way for Poor People,” mean to you? Why did you choose it?
It means if you’re working hard but not seeing results, you’re not working smart. Hard work alone isn’t enough. You need to be smart about your grind. Also, I tell people, don’t measure your worth in naira. Look at things from a global scale. Think in dollars. If you don’t, you’re boxing yourself in. I don’t like being boxed in. I’m not just one thing; I’m for everybody. I’m everything.
You describe your style as “Burbur Music.” How would you explain that to someone hearing it for the first time?
My sound is swag. It’s confident. It makes you feel independent, like you can do things by yourself. It’s not for everybody, but if you get it, you get it.
Many call your music “alté.” Do you identify with that, or how would you rather define your sound?
I don’t want to box myself with one name. I’ve tried calling my sound “The Burbur”, but most people don’t get it. I’ve made trap, Afrobeats, drill, even R&B. I want people to eventually see my sound through my own vocabulary, my own words. That’s when they’ll really understand what I’m about.
With your debut EP, Ukanigbe, and follow‑ups like SANKO, SANKO II, and Kilometer, how would you say your sound has evolved?
My sound has evolved a lot, both in terms of content and style. Early on, I was just telling stories from my own experiences, relationships, and life in general. But now, my focus has shifted. I’m making music based on my vision for the future, who I want to be, and what I want to do next. It’s less about reflecting on the past and more about where I’m going. The events I’ve experienced recently have had a big impact on my music, so now it’s more emotional, more rooted in the present and future. The emotions, the experiences, the exposure. They have all helped reshape my sound. My sound is definitely more intentional now.
“Escaladizzy” exploded online. What’s the story behind that song, and did you expect it to go viral?
Honestly, no. It wasn’t even supposed to be the song I released next. I had everything planned out for the year. I had my calendar all set. “Escaladizzy” wasn’t part of that plan, but my friend convinced me to post it on TikTok, and I wasn’t sure about it at first. But I trusted his advice, and when I saw the response, I was like, “Okay, this is something special.” When it hit 4k, 5k plays, I knew we had something. I’d never even gotten 1k plays before then. The song started getting tons of engagement, and that was a sign to go ahead and release it. I’ve never had that kind of traction before. It was an amazing feeling.
Who are your influences in music?
In terms of looks and being presentable, I would say Wizkid. I want to be dressed the way I want to be addressed. But with music, I would say Duncan Mighty. His melodies are insane. The way he switches from low to high pitch is mind-blowing. I’ve been following him for years, and his vocal range is just crazy. It’s something I’ve always admired. He can take a song to a whole new level with his voice. I’ve always wanted to incorporate that kind of versatility into my own music.
How do moments such as hearing fans sing your lyrics on TikTok or at live shows feel?
It feels like love. Pure love. That’s the best way I can describe it.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
I would say Wizkid and Duncan Mighty.
What can we expect from you next?
A lot of things are coming. I don’t like to spill tea. I am a secretive person, but they are coming soon.
