Jabba Jaw‘s hard-hitting lyricism and Teck Zilla‘s meticulously crafted instrumentals combine perfectly on their latest collaboration, Kilode. Teck Zilla, usually known for his 90s hip hop-inspired instrumentals, has seamlessly incorporated afrobeat elements into the track, swapping out hard-hitting 808s for talking drums and balancing the vivacious ideas inspired by afrobeat music.
Jabba Jaw, with the confidence of Muhammad Ali, floats like a butterfly over the infectious beat, showcasing his prowess as a lyricist, thus hinting at the potential for more collaborations with Teck Zilla. Jabba’s unique style sets him apart from the rest as he shifts gears in the second verse, channelling the spirit of early hip-hop at its peak. Delivering his lyrics fluently in Yoruba, a language far removed from the typical hip-hop vernacular, Jabba Jaw proves his versatility and ability to make it work just as effectively as his predecessors, Reminisce and Olamide. With a track as powerful as Kilode as his debut, Jabba Jaw confidently announces his arrival on the scene, ready to embark on a new creative journey alongside Teck Zilla.
Through Str8buttah Productions, Teck Zilla has witnessed the development of some of hip-hop’s most distinctive voices and provided a platform to hone their craft away from the gilded cages of mainstream music. As a result, he has gifted us with some of the most exciting hip-hop jams to come out of Nigeria and Africa.
Kilode is a strong debut, and we eagerly anticipate more work from the duo, eager to hear what new visions they’d show us.
