Nigeria: Kenwiza to drop debut EP Trips Vol. 1 on 14 May

Kenwiza, whose production credits include collaborations with Gunna, Victor Thompson, Victony and Falz, said the project was conceived as both a musical journey and a reflection of the Nigerian slang expression “catching trips”, associated with euphoric experiences and emotional highs.

The four-track EP was developed across multiple locations, with songs recorded in California, Ohio and Lagos before final audio engineering was completed in Manchester. According to the artist, the project was intended to spotlight emerging talent while exploring themes of love, attraction, uncertainty and commitment.

The EP opens with ‘Yes!’, featuring Puppatiya, followed by ‘Glory’ with Jae Yo. Other tracks include ‘How?’ featuring Mvce and *Waiting with Doe Naju.

Kenwiza said the project was influenced by his experiences within the music industry, including unsuccessful placements and unreleased material, which encouraged him to take greater creative control over his work.

“The inspiration for Trips Vol. 1 was born from a simple yet powerful idea: music should feel like a journey,” he said.

“The title ‘Trips’ is double layered – it’s a musical voyage across continents and emotions, and it also nods to classic Nigerian slang ‘catching trips’, which means riding that pure euphoric high.”

He added that the project reflected his desire to highlight lesser-known artists within the Afrobeats scene.

“This EP is my love letter to the Afrobeats underground, elevating hidden gems, and staying true to the culture,” he said.

Born in Port Harcourt and now based in Manchester, Kenwiza began producing music during high school using FL Studio software before pursuing music production full time in 2019. His work combines Afrobeats, alté, R&B and pop influences, and is characterised by synth-heavy basslines, textured chords and percussive arrangements.

In 2023, he received a nomination for Best Gospel Producer at The Beatz Awards 2023. He also contributed to This Year (Blessings) by Victor Thompson, which achieved platinum certification.

Kenwiza said a second volume in the Trips series is expected later this year.

Contributors: Bakang Mokgautsi, Sisi Nkabinde, Shaked Khuzwayo and Nkululeko Njapa