Pseudonyms, alter egos, and hidden personas — the need to hide behind a mask is as human as existence itself. In the world of entertainment, this need often becomes even more prevalent. Many of your favorite artists use stage names; after all, Lady Gaga wasn’t always Lady Gaga. Sometimes, however, it goes beyond just a name — concealing one’s entire identity becomes part of the act. Take Sia, for example, she famously hides her face behind wigs to preserve a sliver of anonymity. A more prominent example, of course, is the icon herself, Hannah Montana. But long before this became Hannah Montana’s signature move, afrobeat musician Lagbaja perfected the art.
So what do a Nigerian jazz-funk legend and a Disney pop princess have in common? More than you think — and it starts with a mask. Much like Hannah Montana, Lagbaja was an influential touchstone for an entire generation. His genius lay in his ability to fuse music and identity, crafting a unique and multifaceted sound. If you thought “The Best of Both Worlds” was a trendsetting, inescapable cultural moment, just wait until you hear “Konko Below.”
The Hannah Montana Legacy Is Still a Defining Cultural Touchstone
Image Credit: Disney Channel
When Hannah Montana debuted in 2006, it was impossible to imagine the widespread phenomenon it would become. Though Disney Channel was breaking new ground and having unprecedented success with the High School Musical movies, That’s So Raven, and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Hannah Montana essentially reworked the idea of success. For fans of the show, it’s not hard to see why. The series follows Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus), just an ordinary girl by day; but by night — with a blonde wig, and tons of sparkly wardrobe — she doubles as one of the biggest pop stars in the world.
The series navigated the duality of her life, balancing the demands of both worlds. While Hannah Montana showed the exciting parts of being a celebrity, the TV show also placed emphasis on the necessity of everyday life in keeping its lead grounded. Tackling the same issues fans faced, all while living the life of a pop sensation, possibly contributed to why the show resonated with viewers everywhere. But long before Miley Stewart adopted her secret identity, Nigerian musician, Lagbaja, was already implementing this to a fine art.
Who Is Lagbaja? The Masked Icon Who Shaped Afrobeat
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With hits like Konko Below, Never Far Away, and Onigele Skentele, Lagbaja has rightfully earned his place as an Afrobeat icon. Lagbaja undoubtedly achieved icon status for many reasons — his distinct fusion of jazz, funk, and Yoruba highlife, the longevity of his music, his soulful voice, and, of course, the fact he kept his name and face hidden during the peak of his career. Though his identity has since been revealed, during the era when his songs were inescapable, the mystery of his identity was prevalent in the entertainment space, and like Miley Stewart, Lagbaja proved you could have a successful career with a mask on.
Lagbaja and Hannah Montana Gave Us Two Distinct But Legendary Alter Egos
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There are obvious similarities between Hannah Montana and Lagbaja. Not only are they alter egos for people who sought to maintain the semblance of a normal life in the midst of fame, but they were both very successful in doing it. However, there are also stark differences between the two. To start with, in the world of the TV show, fans weren’t aware that Hannah Montana was a cultivated masked identity, whereas for Lagbaja, it was apparent from the introduction that he was intentionally keeping his identity a secret. After all, he does wear a mask. Interestingly, the use of a mask and hidden identities has since become a common practice for public figures such as Daft Punk and Marshmello.
But then there’s also the meaning behind the mask: Hannah Montana was a fantasy — a way for Miley Stewart to live two lives without consequence, shielding her real self from fame’s pressures and having a chance at a normal life. Lagbaja’s mask, in contrast, was not about personal escape but, rather, artistic expression. Lagbaja, whose real name is Bisade Ologunde, became a representative for the faceless everyman, a voice for the people, using anonymity to shift focus from individual celebrity to collective experience. It’s the depth behind his choice that helped his persona and artistry resonate as much as it did.
Today, Miley Cyrus has moved on from Hannah Montana, while Lagbaja’s masked identity remains a legendary symbol of artistry and activism. Both artists used alter egos to navigate the pressures of fame, yet they did so with distinct purposes. Cyrus redefined the transition from child star to adult artist, breaking free from her Disney persona. Meanwhile, Lagbaja used his mask not just to protect his privacy but to elevate the collective voice of the people, making his anonymity a statement of social change. Their paths may have diverged, but the legacy of their hidden identities continues to inspire, proving that behind every mask lies a message.
To experience the African magic, listen to Lagbaja on Spotify.
