Kel-P took the phrase “King of my forte” a little bit serious with his latest single, ‘Warning!’ featuring Blaqbonez, the Nigerian singer and rapper, after the jaw-dropping sultry banger ‘In My Feelings,’. Listeners are treated to another hypnotic Afrobeats upbeat accompanied by lyrics oozing self-confidence and dominance.
Udoma Peter Kelvin Amba, better known as Kel-P, is a Nigerian record producer, singer, and songwriter with an impressive portfolio of Grammy-nominated and winning works. Kel-P's musical journey began at a young age, fuelled by his passion for music. Born on August 15, 1996, at the age of 27 his name is synonymous with powerful production collaborations with industry giants such as Wizkid, Davido, Burna Boy, and Janelle Monáe, contributing to albums like ‘Made in Lagos (Deluxe Version),’‘Timeless,’ ‘African Giant,’ and ‘The Age of Pleasure,’ respectively. As the founder and CEO of Bully Entertainment, he was recently acknowledged by Okay Africa as a driving force behind Afrobeats' global recognition and got an exclusive recognition from The Recording Academy.
‘Warning!’ just like it implies, sends a strong signal and message to people who feel threatened by his success. Opening the upbeat track lined with heavy traditional African elements, he delivered rigid lyrics about being the king without anyone being able to do a thing because he’s “their father.” The relaxing intro didn’t prepare listeners ahead for the jabbing lyrics, they were swept off in the sweet melody.
Kel-P stayed rooted to the Yoruba language as almost 70% of the lyrics were written in the Nigerian language while the rest were carried by the Pidgin English. He went further to reveal that he didn’t come to play in the next verse “I came, I gave them pepper / mo fun wan wan gba, wan jetan o,” which means he won’t hold back, and they have no choice but to gobble it up.
It is unsure if Kel-P was directing his lyrics at the haters. In his chorus, which also served as the intro, he mentioned “Now I give them tension,” itis safe to assume that he probably aimed his arrows at the fellow musicians in the game. This is not strange in the music industry, a mild or hot beef is required once in a while. “I never start them dey talk plenty things for their mouth / never finish but water don dey comot for their eyes eh!” sent a chill down the fans’ spine as he blatantly lashed at whoever his musical bow is aimed at. Whether this is attributed to gossip, talk or confrontations about his success, one thing is clear – he needed someone to know that he had no plans to slow down. Each following verse contributed to building the exciting subtle gradation of the bassline momentum.
Kel-P's manipulation of phonemes in the final stressed syllables of his verses creates a catchy rhythm that lingers long after the music fades. Lines like "Jesu! Show themmm / shey na money or the Benz," blend seamlessly with the captivating melodies, leaving an indelible imprint on listeners' minds. This is not the first time he has been playing around with rhymes. He didn’t stop at self-confidence, but went ahead to sprinkle a big portion of flex as he made mention of his connections and diverse artistry in all his works, “I getti connections / different style, different flow, different potion.”
Blaqbonez draws the listener in with alight start in the second verse before diving into a deeper resonance to spice the track up. His sexy “Make me bite my lip / like damn she nice,” whisper adds an extra dimension to the song, as he elevated the listeners to another mountain of ecstasy, making them forget that it was a semi-diss track.
As one of the leading ambassadors of Afrobeats, Kel-P masterfully weaves a melodious pulsating drum pattern as the kick and snare collide to give a rocking vibe. The glinting arpeggios interwoven with juicy pads didn’t go unnoticed as it sets his listeners up for urgency and participation. Setting aside the flex and mid-jabs, ‘Warning!’ is an embodiment of self-confidence and worth. Kel-P's ability to captivate audiences, as evidenced by over 750,000 streams on Spotify, solidifies his status as a standout artist in the industry.
In conclusion, Kel-P's ‘Warning!’ is a note of self-worth with its blend of infectious melodies, and richness in daring and sassy lyrics. The song is a testament to Kel-P's ability to pass his message on the beat without having to sweat it too much. As fans eagerly anticipate his future releases, one thing is certain — Kel-P's musical journey is far from over, and his contributions will continue to shape the global music landscape for years to come.
