Scheduled for release this Friday!
In 2020, Port Harcourt rap duo Ajebo Hustlers exploded into national consciousness with the re-release of their 2018 track “Barawo.” A commentary on the state of a country rife with corruption and lawlessness, “Barawo”s popularity coincided with the October 2020 #EndSARS protests, becoming an anthem of some sorts and climbing listening charts which eventually gaining the group another milestone: a remix featuring superstar Davido.
Although the pair have been rapping and putting out music for a while, the buzz around them was mostly limited to their home city of Port Harcourt. However, in what could be considered a bad year for the world, their music and fresh sound were silver lining for an industry thirsting for something new.
The newfound support gingered the pair to put “Symbiosis” featuring Nissi, fellow Port Harcourt artiste and sister to Burna Boy on major streaming platforms for the first time. A cult classic in the Garden City, this too racked up thousands of streams once it was in the mainstream glare and prompted calls for an album from fans. The duo responded with “Pronto” featuring Omah Lay, another graduate of the 2020 Port Harcourt Hall of Fame, and just recently “Yafun Yafun”, again racking up streams while whetting the appetites of fans restlessly waiting for a studio project.
After what seemed like an eternity of teasers and false alarms, it appears that the pleadings did not fall on deaf ears as the rappers announced their debut project “Kpos Lifestyle Vol. 1” via their official Twitter account. The title is a nod to their 2018 underground hit “Kpos” which has now become a catchphrase and inside joke for fans.
Though there's no available tracklist yet, it’s fair to assume the project will include all their recently released singles. And if those are anything to go by, we should expect a mix of rap and afrobeats, an intersection the artistes have proven they are comfortable in. Whatever direction or collaborations eventually appear on the final piece of work, the group’s track record suggests we can be sure to expect nothing but bangers.
Kpos Lifestyle Vol 1 drops Friday, 23 July 2021.
