Ibquake: The Voice That Shakes Stages and Speaks for a Generation

By Olumide Labulo 

In a world full of noise, some voices rise not by volume, but by vibration quaking hearts, stirring minds, and shifting the culture. One of those voices belongs to Ibukunoluwa Oluyinka Ajagbe, better known as Ibquake, a Nigerian spoken word poet whose words don’t just rhyme, they roar!

On August 31, 2000, in the ever-buzzing city of Lagos, Ibquake was welcomed into the clan of the Ajagbes, a warm cocoon of a Christian family. Her name—Ibukun—means "blessing," and indeed, she has become a blessing to her generation. Her career as a poet started in her teenage years when she attended a spoken-word class at House on the Rock Church. During this time, her tutors quickly recognized her seriousness and spark. That spark, fanned by faith and grit, became a mighty fire that now places her at centre stage both literally and metaphorically.

Ibquake is more than a stage name. It's a mission statement. A poetic force who believes words can shake systems, nudge hearts, and even redeem nations. Her early spoken word experiments bloomed into full-blown performances with impact, often rooted in themes of identity, faith, feminism, trauma, and Nigeria's turbulent socio-political dance and she has honed her craft while studying Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, where she balanced exams with stages, and essays with existential bars. 

Her big (public) break came when she emerged as first runner-up in De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt Season 2 in 2022, capturing hearts across the country with her intensity and soul. That competition didn’t just give her exposure—it gave her wings. But Ibquake didn’t stop at stage lights and applause. She’s since performed for institutions like Guinness Nigeria, Access Bank, TVC, Stanbic IBTC, and Ecobank. Her performances have found audiences that range from boardrooms to classrooms, and even to the corridors of power. When she speaks, people like Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka, billionaire Tony Elumelu, and Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu listen. Literally.

Her gospel-rooted pieces often intersect with reality in disarming ways. One moment, she’s dissecting rape culture; the next, she’s championing the boy child or encouraging teenage girls to dream big. Her style is fluid. Sometimes, it's soft like a prayer, other times sharp like a rebuke. She gestures freely on stage, like someone building a sermon, a song, and a revolution all at once.

In 2024, she was honored at the Lord’s Achievers Awards alongside cultural icons like Layi Wasabi and Segun Adegoke. By then, she'd already become a mentor herself, organizing 30-day workshops to help up and coming poets find their voices. Her message to them is consistent: stay disciplined, stay authentic, and don’t wait for inspiration—build a habit. According to her, poetry isn’t just about catching feelings; it’s about showing up.

Children’s Day 2024 gave the world a new layer of Ibquake’s creative capacity. She released a moving video tribute to Nigerian children, featuring stars like rapper Falz and chess savant Tunde Onakoya. It wasn’t just a poetic nod, it was a cultural moment. In under two minutes, Ibquake stitched together influence, innocence, and inspiration, all in one emotionally rich montage that lit up X (formerly Twitter). It showed us she could not only carry her voice but also direct a narrative involving others, blending art with advocacy. That video didn’t just trend; it transcended. Children in uniforms smiled and danced. Falz dropped a line. Tunde spoke about strategy, hope, and tomorrow. Ibquake held it all together with poetry that felt less like a performance and more like prophecy.

Despite her rising fame, she’s stayed grounded. Her work is not about vanity metrics or viral soundbites. It’s about value. She often says that her confidence wasn’t born—it was built. Poetry, for her, wasn’t just a calling; it was a coming-of-age. She credits her faith and disciplined routine for the boldness people now associate with her performances. In a Punch interview, she explained how performing poetry helped her overcome stage fright and build presence over time. And like many gifted Nigerian artists before her, she’s now crossing into music collaborations. She featured on “Love Practitioner” with singer Anendlessocean and also on “Testament of Love” with gospel artiste Minister Ugee Royalty. Her track “Breathe” is available on streaming platforms and feels like a spiritual pause in a chaotic world.

Her growing influence has attracted brands and fans alike. She was signed as a Guinness Nigeria ambassador, joining a campaign that featured the likes of Fireboy DML and Beverly Naya. But even in ads, she carries the weight of meaning, the kind that makes you pause, not scroll past.

Ibquake represents a new kind of Nigerian creative: God-rooted, socially aware, tech-savvy, and emotionally intelligent. She’s not just performing poetry: she’s personifying purpose. In a country where young voices are often drowned by the noise of survival, she is proof that it’s still possible to be heard, seen, and felt. So when next she steps on stage, know this: it won’t just be a performance. It’ll be a quake.