Son of Nigerian immigrants, Kwaj was born on the East Coast and moved to Michigan, where he was introduced to Hip-Hop at a young age. Rap battles on the bus and impromptu freestyles at college parties set the foundation for Kwaj’s affinity towards Golden Era elements of hip-hop culture. Mixing in his modern-day influences, Kwaj’s style can be described as a contemporary nostalgia, centering around meticulously crafted, introspective bars over jazzy, boom bap production.
On his latest single, “Crash Talk,” Kwaj beautifully balances his modern urgency with jazzy nostalgia. The newest single from the breath of fresh Hip-hop air highlights the varying nuances that make Kwaj’s voice such an exhilarating one. What starts as a lyrical exercise quickly transitions to a hooky melody, showcasing the artist’s ability to pen both venomous and infectious verses. The raw aggression of the vocals juxtaposes the glistening keys and nimble drums of the arrangement, almost as if the breezy instrumental is the stone that dulls the sharp vocal performance. That dullness, although, never comes to fruition. Kwaj sounds rejuvenated throughout “Crash Talk,” a single that introduces the artist as a Hip-hop revivalist unafraid to push the limits of the traditions of the genre.
