K4mo has just dropped ‘4ever’, an 8-track EP packed with afroswing anthems. The new project follows on from the singer’s previous EP ‘Spider’, which he released in 2020, as well as a music video collaboration with SK on ‘Yahama’, a track that features on ‘4ever’. Whilst K4mo is new on the UK music scene, his former releases have helped to generate a buzz for his new EP, something that the rising star will hope to capitalise on.
Born in Nigeria but raised in London, K4mo merges these two worlds seamlessly on his new project. Often over R&B and dancehall-infused afrobeat, K4mo blends British slang with Nigerian Pidgin, producing the type of afro-Caribbean sound that is now championed by the UK music scene. Notably, whilst ‘4ever’ is largely comprised of solo performances by the singer, the two features on the EP come from SK and Bace God, both British artists with Nigerian heritage like himself. This artistic decision perhaps offers a window into the musical aesthetic that K4mo is trying to achieve with this project.
Stay scheming pic.twitter.com/ivwwEH5QDr
— KING K4MO #4EVER. (@iamk4mo) March 2, 2021
Over the past decade, a huge array of Nigerian talent has emerged and helped to drive the afroswing sound forward. Artists such as Burna Boy and WizKid are now global superstars that have begun to transcend the genre and dominate charts around the world. Another such artist is Mr Eazi, who collaborated with K4mo and a host of others on ‘Oh My Gawd’ in 2020. Whilst discussing how the track came about in a press statement, Eazi said, “The record was really fun to make, and it’s crazy how it went from hearing a K4mo intro in the studio with Fred Again, to me jumping on it and then Diplo hopping in! And Walshy hitting me up to say it’s a banger—next thing Nicki is on it! Been a journey really, like two years in the making and I can’t wait to perform it at my next festival!” Also featuring Nicki Minaj, Major Lazer, and Diplo, ‘Oh My Gawd’ fuses EDM and afrobeat. With over twelve million streams on Spotify, the song was a landmark moment for K4mo and provided the singer with mainstream exposure that could prove vital to his come up.
Although he is yet to release a full-length album, K4mo looks poised to make a serious impact on the UK music scene. In his Spotify description, his sound is described as a “unique” blend of “afrobeats, dancehall, hip hop, reggae & pop”. Indeed, all these influences come through on ‘4ever’, and it is this distinct sound that could perhaps go on to make K4mo stand out from his peers.
‘4ever’ is available to stream below:
