Kemuel returns with Borokiri Boy, his third EP and most complete body of work to date. Born from his roots in Borokiri, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the nine-track project captures a season of life shaped by love, desire, heartbreak, and self-reflection, entirely written and produced by Kemuel under his alias, Wondah.

Blending Afrobeats, R&B, and electronic textures, the EP unfolds like a journey. It opens with the rush of new attraction, moves through the complications of casual entanglements and toxic cycles, and arrives at a hard-won realisation: before he can truly give himself to someone else, he needs to heal, grow, and lock in on the life he is building.

"The name Borokiri Boy is very intentional because this project is mostly about me," Kemuel says. "It's made up of a lot of love songs because, honestly, I'm mostly made of love. I wanted the project to feel like a journey. It starts with love, moves through the excitement of it, and slowly arrives at awareness. It's me realising that as much as I have so much love to give, I also have so much work to do on myself."

The project begins with "Seki," where Kemuel faces his fear of approaching someone new, asking if they can try again despite the timing. On "Osei Baby," the tone shifts; he is honest about his casual intentions, redirecting a partner's desire for commitment back to something purely physical. "Close 2 U" pulls him back into a love cycle, finding an oasis amid life's chaos in the presence of someone who makes time for him.

"YOLO" and "FINI" operate as a two-part sequence. The former pushes someone to stop living in the past and take a chance on the present; the latter finds that same person taking the "live once" philosophy too far. "Wound Me" confronts a toxic push-and-pull, the kind of pain that somehow still feels like love. "Pitakwa Girls Riddim" then lightens the mood, celebrating Port Harcourt women and culture with humour and local flavour.

The closing "Spirit / Habit" ties everything together. "Spirit" is the moment of admission: he is not ready for love, still figuring himself out, and unwilling to repeat old patterns. "Habit" grounds that realisation in reality, a reminder of where he comes from, where he stands, and where he is headed. The project ends on a mantra: "E go sup eventually." Everything will work out.

"I hope this project shows what it looked like to be lost in love," Kemuel says, "and what it feels like to finally start finding my balance."

TRACKLIST

Seki

Osei Baby

Close 2 U

YOLO

FINI

Wound Me

Pitakwa Girls Riddim

Spirit

"Borokiri Boy" is now available on all streaming platforms via ONErpm.

 

MUSIC AND MOMENTS WITH KEMUEL 
ISSUE 7.0 MARCH 2024

Interview Conducted by: Olulana Mofiyinfoluwa (@finnnixx)

Design by: Mbuba Chiagozie Tochukwu (@agozieee_)

Q. Your latest single, "Polo," was released just a few days ago. Can you tell us about the creative process behind this track?

A. I naturally always try to tap into the most current feeling at the moment, and that usually guides me, for “POLO” I let my imagination wonder a bit, it’s not your regular love song, WONDAH made the instrumental so contagious it was supper easy to put the story and Melodies in a way it perfectly paints the right picture.

Q. If 'Polo' had a scent, what fragrance would it be, and how does that olfactory experience connect with the essence of the song?

A. Possibly Cotten candy? Or the smell of a brand new POLO shirt, it’s an upbeat Chune, it has this happy nostalgic feeling, feels like an urban party in the jungle sometime in the 80/90s.

Q. Congratulations on the success of Bunda with Dj Spinall. In the collaborative process with Dj Spinall and Olamide, what unexpected turns did the creative process take, and how did those twists contribute to the song's remarkable success in the Nigerian music scene?

A. Well everything happened almost as if it was planned but the universe and God just put everything and everyone in place to make that song a reality,originally i was trying to get Oxlade’s attention for a collaboration but luckily for me I got Ozedikus’ attention instead and Ozedikus played it for our legend Dj Spinall and the rest is history, I never expected or thought Badoo would be on a song with me so soon, but I was glad everyone else saw the vision of the song “Bunda” is such a classic I’m super excited I got to share that with the world

Q. Considering the diverse eras of music, if you could time-travel and infuse your present-day sound with the essence of a specific musical era, which one resonates most with your style, and how would it manifest in your music?

A. I love pop and old school RnB  so I would love to be part of the Kings and Queens that pioneered that sound and style, cos the foundation of my music is mostly soul, pop and RnB

Q. If your music were a meal, what would be the main dish, and how does it capture the essence of your artistic flavor?

A. If my music were a flavor it would be “Egusi” cos the way it’s prepared where I’m from its rich and it’s almost like and adventure for your taste buds.

Q. If you weren't making music, what alternative path could you see yourself exploring, and how might that influence the art you create?

A.  I actually don’t see myself doing anything that I’m not passionate about and right now music is all I’m passionate about, it gives me life, I just want my music to be the safe haven of anyone who cares enough to press play and dive into my universe.

Q. If you had one day to collaborate with a non-musical artist or creator (e.g., a scientist, chef, or painter etc), who would it be and what kind of project would you envision?

A. Definitely Elon musk, we’d make a project that teleports you outta space sonically, it would be the craziest music experience.

Q. What do you think sets your Afro-RNB style apart, and how did you discover it in your creative journey?

A. I honestly don’t know, but I have a strong feeling it has something to do with my personality, cos I’m a weirdo so I naturally do everything differently. I can’t even be normal if I tried, it’s crazy I use to be teased for being weird and out of pocket and goofy but all of that helped me discover myself in music.

Q. If you were to create a soundtrack for a movie that doesn't exist yet, what genre of film would it be?

A. Sci-fi maybe or an 80s Romance film, it would be so fire

Q. With the dynamic nature of the music industry, how do you stay authentic to your sound while also adapting to changing trends and audience preferences?

A. For the adapting part music takes control of the wheel when it’s time to create, I just listen to the voices in my head, they talk to me and I understand.

Q. In all of your musical influences, which unexpected source has inspired you the most, and how has it influenced your creative process?

A. The way my Dad supports my music gives me all the inspiration I need, I thought it would be something he’d want me to cut off with Time but he’s been supportive from the jump so yeah.

Q. In your journey as a musician, what's the most important you've learned?

A. Consistency is super important, staying consistent has done so much for me

Emerging Nigerian artist Kemuel is back in the spotlight with his latest single, “Polo.” Following a year of critical acclaim and collaborations, Kemuel’s musical journey continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Last year, Kemuel garnered recognition from industry heavyweights. Notably, Spinall and Olamide granted him creative freedom to shape “Bunda,” the standout track from Spinall’s sixth album, Top Boy. Building on this momentum, Kemuel released “Alone” in 2023, followed by a successful collaboration with producer Wondah on “Stay” in 2024.

KEMUEL returns with his first single of the year titled “Polo” as he builds toward his sophomore project.

 

“Polo” exudes positivity and purpose. Kemuel’s infectious melodies and heartfelt lyrics invite listeners to hit the replay button. Explaining the inspiration behind the song, Kemuel shares, “It’s about a girl whom everyone considers eccentric, but I see her as beautifully misunderstood.”

The creation of “Polo” was serendipitous. Kemuel recalls, “I made it on a Thursday night, I didn’t even know what the song would be about until the first line hit me, and it was real life so it was easy to write and compose, i and my producer wondah took a weird approach with the beat and Melodies but alas we created a gem and I can’t wait to share it with the world, this one is for beautiful misunderstood women.”

 “My chikala she be my lolo/I no fit let you go no, no/Wetin you put for your ogbono/Oh-oh-oh”

These playful lines showcase Kemuel’s appeal, making “Polo” an irresistible sing-along experience.

Hailing from the vibrant southern state of Rivers, Kemuel embodies excellence. His musical journey began at age 13 when he joined the church choir. There, he honed his skills on piano, bass guitar, and drums, contributing to the choir’s harmonious sound. His passion for art led him to pursue a degree in Fine Art and Design from the University of Port Harcourt.

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