Rapper Emeka Akumefule, popularly known as Blaqbonez, has sparked conversations online after openly discussing his unconventional views on marriage and intimacy. The musician shared that he believes open marriages, when approached with mutual consent and understanding, can be a practical and healthy arrangement for couples facing changing sexual dynamics or unavoidable physical absences.
During a candid discussion on the In My Opinion podcast, Blaqbonez reflected on the natural evolution of intimacy in long-term relationships, noting that initial passion often diminishes over time. He emphasised that marriage is a holistic union built on emotional, psychological, and mental bonds, which cannot be fully replicated through purely physical connections.
He explained that permitting a spouse to explore sexual connections outside the marriage, under conditions of consent and transparency, does not threaten the deeper connection shared within the partnership. “Marriage is more than physical intimacy,” Blaqbonez remarked. “A temporary extramarital experience cannot replicate the emotional and mental bond between partners.”
Blaqbonez cited practical reasons for his perspective, pointing to the challenges posed by busy work schedules, constant touring, and other professional obligations. He suggested that allowing partners to have temporary intimacy outside the relationship, when physically unavailable, could prevent frustration, resentment, and potential conflict. “If my partner needs physical closeness while I’m occupied, I don’t see harm in her seeking it elsewhere, provided she remains committed emotionally,” he said.
Separate spaces and mutual intimacy as key principles
The rapper also shared insights into how he plans to structure his future marital home, proposing that he and his wife would maintain separate rooms. According to him, this arrangement would preserve personal space, promote autonomy, and ensure that intimacy occurs only when mutually desired, enhancing both emotional and physical fulfilment.
“Maintaining separate living spaces does not weaken the marriage; it strengthens it,” he explained. “Respecting each partner’s boundaries fosters balance, personal growth, and emotional connection.” Blaqbonez added that the intentionality behind shared time and intimacy would prevent monotony and keep the relationship vibrant over the long term.
He further emphasised that keeping distinct spaces allows couples to avoid habitual cohabitation routines, creating room for intentional moments of closeness that sustain excitement and connection. According to him, structured personal time ensures that both partners remain engaged emotionally and sexually, ultimately making the relationship more sustainable and fulfilling.
Redefining expectations in modern marital relationships
Blaqbonez’s perspective reflects a broader discussion around evolving norms in contemporary marriage, particularly concerning sexual exploration, emotional commitment, and individual autonomy. He stressed that openness, honesty, and mutual consent are the pillars of any successful arrangement, even when it challenges traditional expectations in Nigerian society, where monogamy and constant cohabitation remain the norm.
He acknowledged that his stance may be unconventional, but argued that modern relationships must adapt to practical realities, including demanding careers, travel, and personal ambitions. Blaqbonez emphasised that emotional investment, trust, and dedication should take precedence over rigid physical exclusivity, as the core of a lasting partnership lies in shared experiences, support, and emotional intimacy rather than solely in sexual fidelity.
“Even if a partner has external sexual experiences, they cannot replicate the unique bond built through shared memories, understanding, and emotional closeness,” Blaqbonez concluded. “That bond, rooted in trust, mutual respect, and emotional investment, is what truly sustains a marriage.”
His statements have ignited extensive debates online, prompting discussions about the balance between tradition, modernity, and individual freedoms within marriage. Many viewers praised his honesty and introspection, while others criticised his views as unconventional or incompatible with societal norms, highlighting the ongoing conversation about the future of intimate relationships in a rapidly changing world.