I don’t like to be identified as a rapper - Lil Kesh

Singer Lil Kesh has opened up about his journey to signing with Olamide’s YBNL label, crediting his breakout single “Lyrically” for catching the attention of Olamide Baddo.

The 2014 hit, which showcased his rap prowess, was the catalyst for his record deal, marking his entry into Nigeria’s mainstream music scene.

“Lyrically’ is one song that got me my record deal. I am a rapper, but I don’t like to identify as a rapper intentionally. I came into the game as a rapper”, he said.

Despite his roots in rap, Lil Kesh explained his reluctance to identify solely as a rapper, noting that he intentionally positioned himself as a pop star to achieve greater commercial success.

Lil Kesh highlighted the challenges faced by Nigerian rappers, observing that many struggled to maintain long-term relevance due to the country’s preference for party-friendly music.

“Most of the people who identified as rappers, most of them couldn’t stand the test of time”, he added.

He pointed to Olamide as a rare exception, whose ability to blend rap with commercial Afrobeats ensured a sustained career.

Inspired by this, Lil Kesh crafted hits like “Shoki,” “Is It Because I Love You,” and “Efejoku,” which skyrocketed him to fame in 2015, establishing him as one of YBNL’s top hitmakers and a street music sensation.

Written By: DJ RAYA