KJ Conteh’s “Something New” Offers Harmonies In Diversity

Gambian-American producer KJ Conteh has collaborated with SYD, an American singer and songwriter, and DB Bantino, an American singer and rapper, for his latest release, Something New. 

Something New draws listeners in with its jazz-like rhythm and catchy beats. KJ Conteh credits the alternative vibe in this song to his mixed cultural roots and soulful R&B sounds. 

The Los Angeles-born producer’s father is from Gambia, and his mother from Congo. His family moved to The Congo when Conteh was just a year old before relocating to Belgium and South Africa. Having lived in several places and currently pursuing his music career in his birthplace (Los Angeles), it’s unsurprising that Conteh has found inspiration from these diverse environments for his musical style. His multicultural background, influenced by his years in America, has molded his artistic identity. According to Conteh, he created Something New because everyone aims to conform to trends. “In today’s world, everyone is trying to follow a trend, follow the same sound, everything just feels like it sounds the same. I don’t want to create music just to create it, I want people to listen to my music and feel something. I’m taking influences from sounds around the world and creating my own sound, something new.” 

Truly, the symbolic essence of Something New is music that listeners can feel attached to without discrimination, a universal sound. But this is not the first of its kind. The Gambian-American producer has worked with notable figures in rap like Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Wiz Khalifa, and acclaimed artists such as Drake, Rob Stone, Daz Dillinger, and Slim tha Mobster. Conteh’s first hit single was Happy New Year by 50 Cent. He also produced Kush Ups, a Snoop single featuring Wiz Khalifa. Demonstrating his diverse collaborations, Conteh also worked with South Africa’s hip-hop prodigy AKA to produce Dreamwork, a hit single that went on to be certified 5x Diamond in 2019. His most popular works include Kush Ups, Happy New Year, Dreamwork, Bron & Bronny by Snoop Dogg and Corde 77, Snoop Dog’s La La La (Remix), Up to Something by DA Les, and DAZ and Snoop Dog’s Best Friend. 

Something New is written by Desmond Barnes, KJ Conteh, and Sydney Loren Bennett.