Fares Boulos

Fares Boulos, known professionally as Oyibo Rebel, is an American musician and actor based in Lagos, Nigeria. His work incorporates a blend of Afrobeats and rap with Yoruba influences.

**Early Life**

Fares Boulos was born in Houston, Texas. His father, Massad Boulos, is a Lebanese business executive who is active in Nigeria, and his mother, Sarah Boulos, is of French descent and founded the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN). At the age of five, Boulos moved with his family to Lagos, Nigeria. During his upbringing in Lagos, he attended the American International School of Lagos alongside his siblings. He learned Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba languages and engaged with local customs during this period.

Boulos pursued higher education in the United States and the United Kingdom. He studied liberal arts with a concentration in theatre in Los Angeles, California. Subsequently, he moved to London, where he completed a master's degree focusing on acting and performance.

**Career**

Boulos developed an interest in music during his teenage years, drawing inspiration from Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. While in Lagos, he attended events at the New Afrika Shrine and performed Fela’s songs at informal gatherings. During his time in Los Angeles, he wrote and performed a play titled *Abami Eda and The Curse of The Black Gold*, portraying multiple characters, including Fela Kuti.

In London, Boulos participated in acting projects, including an uncredited role in *Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald* and a brief non-speaking role in the Netflix series *The Crown*.

In 2012, Boulos returned to Nigeria and released a single titled "One Day" under the stage name Farastafarian. This name was inspired by his interactions with Rastafarian communities at Tarkwa Bay in Lagos. He later changed his stage name to Oyibo Rebel, a decision intended to challenge stereotypes about immigrants in Nigeria and to emphasize his cultural connection.

Under the name Oyibo Rebel, he released the single "Oju Mi Bloody," featuring artists Mz Kiss and Chinko Ekun. His musical style combines elements of Afrobeats, rap, and Yoruba influences. He collaborated with Nigerian producers T-Weezy and Killertunes to produce tracks that merge Nigerian and global musical styles.

**Personal Life**

Boulos considers Nigeria his home. He is married to Alisa Boulos. His brother, Michael Boulos, is a business executive married to American socialite Tiffany Trump.