While it’s verifiable that there are countless prodigies vying for the attention of listeners in today’s saturated music scene, Kemuel’s artistry stands out for its piercing nevertheless tender delivery that leaves a lasting impression. Naturally soft-spoken, he carries a vocal texture that complements relatable lyrics written from a vulnerably personal depth, and it’s no surprise that Kemuel’s music lands on listeners ever so softly, like the warmth of a summer breeze. For most listeners, the first point of contact is usually his glass-like vocals, before journeying through the vivid emotional narratives and stunning execution that follow.
Born and raised in the southern state of Rivers in Nigeria, Kemuel’s music testifies to the greatness of the African nation. His musical journey began at 17 when he joined the church choir, learning to play the piano, bass guitar, and drums. Kemuel’s love for the arts also led him to study Fine Art and Design at the University of Port Harcourt.
His debut project, ‘Escape (EP)’, released in October 2022, set the tone for what was to come. Spanning six tracks with a runtime of 16 minutes, the EP showcases Kemuel’s capabilities as a vocalist, songwriter, and creator of that otherworldly soothing after-effect once the play button is hit. Together with his primary producer, Wondah, they craft soulful tracks shaped around varying productions from slow to mid-tempo that collectively tie into the project’s central mood of escape. Yet, Kemuel’s idea of escape on this six-track offering feels like both sides of a romance coin, likely inspired by a number of muses through whom he finds this freedom.
Shortly after the release of his debut project, he got drafted by producer Ozedikus for “Bunda” by Spinall featuring Olamide. He then followed up with the eccentric Afro-pop singles “Alone” and “POLO”. Once again collaborating with his trusted producer Wondah, whose progressions perfectly complement Kemuel’s melodies. Together on “POLO”, the duo craft a foot-stomping, head-moving song whose chorus evokes the harmonies of a Sunday service, a reflection of his early beginnings in the church choir.
Interestingly, with every new release came a sonic evolution for Kemuel. He approached novel productions with daring penmanship and vocal delivery, opening a path to a bolder and more expressive version of himself; one that fully blossoms on his Afrobeats, R&B, and Pop-inspired sophomore EP ‘CLOUDS’.
A REVIEW OF HIS SOPHOMORE EP “CLOUD”
The seven-track project opens with the bubbly and expressive “Alone”, where Kemuel offers listeners a peek into what unrestrained desire might sound like in song form, enlisting Wondah to bring that vision to life. The Alt-pop record immediately pulls listeners in for a sonic ride filled with relatable lyrics, catchy melodies, and sticky beats. “234” follows the Alt-pop blueprint laid down on “Alone”, but with a clear tilt towards Alt-R&B leanings, before transitioning into the log drum-laden “POLO”, a groove curated specially for the dance floor. Whether the title ‘CLOUDS’ is a personalized rhetoric or an open invitation to listeners remains unclear, but by the time “GLNT” plays midway, everyone’s already floating among the clouds.
The other half of the project catches Kemuel squarely in his comfort zone. On “Water”, an emotive Afro-R&B record, his compelling delivery and dreamlike vocals make for a standout moment. Here, Kemuel is smitten, lost in a love that feels both irrational and inevitable as he communicates the logic and fear of such vulnerability over tender guitar plucks: “Love is very wicked I know, you and me we dey like snow.”
“FIND” underscores Kemuel’s range and how precisely he approaches his records. It follows the global template of a North American Pop record, echoing the influence of artists like Justin Bieber. On this track, Kemuel is heartbroken, sober from the highs of affection heard earlier on ‘CLOUDS’—and struggles to let go, expressing heartbreak as articulately as he does love. The 17-minute record closes with “FOCUS”, a mid-tempo, motivational reflection built on minimal percussion, that grounds the project in clarity.
A year and six months after ‘CLOUDS‘, Kemuel’s ingenuity burns even brighter on “Fini” where he and Wondah reunite on an unconventional funk-inspired production. His recent contribution to “You” off Peruzzi’s third studio album also reinforces his sonic distinctiveness: his delicate vocals and effortless verse glide seamlessly over the soulful production crafted by his long-time collaborator.
In earnest, Kemuel’s artistry is like a whisper, that somehow echoes loud. With each release, he sharpens the duality that defines him—soft-spoken yet piercing, calm yet deeply affecting. His music thrives in its balance of vulnerability and precision, of emotion and control. And as he continues to chart his course, one soulful record at a time, it’s clear that Kemuel is past finding his sound. He’s now defining what tenderness sounds like in modern Afropop.
