For his last single of the year, culturepreneur, tastemaker, producer and creative KJ Spio brings together UK hitmakers NSG and Nigerian singer/songwriter Fave for his latest track, “Skills”.
Following a string of unrivalled releases with artists such as Gyakie, Oxlade, Konshens, Sarkodie, Ambré, Harmonize, Libianca, Kidi & Stalk Ashley, which gained support from Ones To Watch, GRM Daily, Notion, New Wave Magazine, Ministry of Sound and more, KJ Spio is continuing to solidify his status as a powerhouse in the Afrobeats scene that brings together artistes across the world.
Produced by KJ Spio & Dunnie (Nigerian female producer/singer/songwriter) for a percussive Afrobeats instrumental that is due to be a big hit for the Christmas season.
Fave enters the track with her buttery, silky smooth and eclectic vocals. Whilst NSG take turns to bring their high octane, slick lyrics to the track to give it an infectious party vibe. Laced with captivating flows courtesy of NSG and melodic vocals from Fave, “Skills” is the ultimate catchy anthem with KJ Spio cementing his trendsetting & trailblazing status with yet another infectious spin.
KJ Spio says of the track “A beautiful song that came so effortlessly in the studio, I call this one a big vibe.”
NSG “Amazing, uptempo dancing riddim. We got in the session, went through a couple beats, picked that because it instantly connected. The guys wrote the verses, fire, Fave came and woooooo, magic. A magical, uptempo, let’s get the party started song.
KJ Spio Bio
Acclaimed culturepreneur KJ Spio is a one-man mood enhancer – a musical multi-hyphenate devoted to upping the ambiance of whatever social situation you might find yourself in.
“I’m all about creating a vibe that helps people have fun and enjoy themselves, whether they’re at a party or somewhere more intimate,” smiles the Ghana-born artist.
“Wait,” you might be wondering, “what’s a culturepreneur?” For Spio, the term reflects the ever-changing role he’s held down in the UK and African music industries for almost a decade now, pushing the culture forward in whatever new and exciting ways he can dream up.
Sometimes, that has meant managing artists like late great British talent Cadet, whose single ‘Advice’ he helped become a platinum smash independently with over 250m streams. Other times, that has meant creative-directing and A&R for superstars like Ghanian icon Sarkodie, whose first ever virtual concert, performed at the country’s historic Independence Square, broke records for live streams.
Genre doesn’t matter – only authenticity. “If it’s not progressive to the collective culture, I don’t do it,” insists the hitmaker, who began his journey in the music industry as road manager-turned-content creator for UK rap hero Big Narstie and hasn’t stopped hustling for the music scene he adores since.
Fave Bio
From soul-baring lyrics to her hypnotic vocals, Fave’s minute-long X videos took the Afrobeats community by storm in the early days of covid lockdown. A star was undeniably born.
As a middle child & only daughter of the Chidozies—a small family of 5 who resided in eastern & southwestern Nigeria over the last two decades, her musical experience typically began from the church at the tender age of 6.
Just before internet fame in 2020, Fave (coined from “Godsfavour”) was just a 19-year-old singer-songwriter pursuing a law degree—belted with only one released single, “M.O.M.M.S”.
Although her career has seen her dabble in various genres, including Dancehall, Afropop, Afrobeats, dance, and R&B, Fave largely considers herself a “pop” girl.
Her unique poetic approach to writing prioritises vulnerability accompanied by vivid plots, conveying a whirlwind of emotions, often on groovy beat drops or high-tempo drum progressions.
Fave has been touted by several boards as the future of Afrobeats. In 2022, months after her chart-topping debut hit record “Baby Riddim”, she won the “rookie of the year” at the prestigious Headies award, also scoring multiple “Best new artist” & “Most promising artist” nominations at the Afrima awards & Soundcity Music Video awards, respectively.
NSG Bio
It’s a simple yet vast acronym, seeping with potential. “It’s a lifestyle, a movement,” the group says.
At first, it stood for No Sleep Gang, then Non-Stop Grinding. At the moment it means ‘Never Stop Growing’, but that could change too. As NSG member Kruddz explains, that’s why they refer to the name’s meaning as a lifestyle – it echoes what’s happening to NSG in the present moment.
Past and present names aside, the group reflects the most exciting components of the current UK music scene: a lively diasporic Afro bashment sound and a larger-than-life personality, all rolled into one six-member group.
Comprised of 6 members: Kruddz, Mxjib, Mojo, OGD, Dope and Papii Abz, they’ve been bubbling under the crest of producers, slowly crafting their sound together. Essentially, NSG are climbing slowly toward their peak.
On their own journey but also one that’s closely connected to the Afro-bashment sound that’s creeping across the globe, the road ahead looks golden. Where do they want to go? “Global domination, baby,” they say. “Right now we’re loading up the artillery. They said no nuclear weapons, and we didn’t take that in. We’re loading them up. We’re not looking at a United Kingdom thing; we’re looking on a global thing.” Never Stop Growing indeed.
