Fares Boulos

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. He is the brother of Michael Boulos.

Early life Fares Boulos was born in Houston, Texas. His Lebanese father, Massad Boulos, is a business executive active in Nigeria, while his Burkina-faso born Lebanese mother, Sarah Boulos, founded the Society for the Performing Arts in Nigeria (SPAN). At the age of five, Boulos moved with his family to Lagos, Nigeria, where he attended the French school, Ecole Française Louis PASTEUR and later transferred to the American International School of Lagos alongside his siblings. 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.

Career Boulos 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. 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.

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, 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 immigrants in Nigeria and highlight his connection to the culture.

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.

Discography Year Title 2020 Oju Mi Bloody (feat. Chinko Ekun & Mz Kiss) 2020 Rosa (feat. Skales) 2020 The Storm 2020 Do Without You 2021 Familia (Freestyle) 2021 Aye Dun Gan

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.