Bella Shmurda Finds His Studio Confidence with a Single Mic Choice
Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Bella Shmurda recently opened up about the gear that’s become a quiet cornerstone in his creative process: the Rode NT1 microphone. In a conversation featured in It Goes to 11, he explained that this microphone does more than just record sound—it helps him feel at ease in the studio.
According to Shmurda, the Rode NT1 captured his soaring vocal range with seamless clarity, but its impact went beyond technical performance. The mic’s simplicity and consistency—qualities that are easy to overlook—help calm his nerves and bring out his best performances. “When I use this mic, I don’t feel tense,” he shared.
This choice reflects an often‑underappreciated reality in music production: the emotional interplay between artist and equipment. The right piece of gear can play a role in shaping not only sound, but also the performer’s mindset. For Shmurda, knowing he can rely on a mic that feels intuitive—and moves effortlessly from session to session—has become invaluable.
The segment with Bella Shmurda is part of the GRAMMY.com series It Goes to 11, where artists discuss the tools that resonate most deeply with them, whether it’s a guitar, synthesizer, vocal preamp—or, in this case, a microphone.
