In 2016, the UK ground to a halt when then-unknown rapper and singer Kojo Funds released his second single, Dun Talkin (feat. Abra Cadabra). Released just two years after his first attempt at making music, the single became the launchpad for a monumental career that crowned him ‘King,’ of Afroswing, one of the UK’s major genres of the late 2010s and early 2020s.
He released his debut mixtape, Golden Boy, two years later, an underground classic housing hits like the RAYE-assisted Check and WARNING. Son of a Ghanaian mom, Kojo’s music was visibly influenced by West African music, and he later went on to make records with Wizkid, SPINALL, and producer Juls, just to name a few. His place in an Afroswing pantheon, including fellow transplants like J Hus, Tion Wayne, Not3s, and later on, NSG, is undeniable, even as he’s released less music down the line.
This August, Kojo Funds is set to mark his return with the 6-track EP, Hello, It’s Me Again, in what’s also a celebration of a decade marshalling the genre’s forces. Lead singles Ready and How Many show an artist ready to stake his claim, aware of audience’s needs, while also exploring new sounds on the project. It’s not the sophomore LP most would expect, but it does answer certain questions about where the rapper has been and what comes next.
In conversation with The Culture Custodian, Kojo talks about his Afroswing legacy and the next generation prioritising collaboration, inspiration behind the EP, relationship with the Afropop scene, and what to expect after this reintroduction.
This interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.
This is your first project in 8 years—since 2018’s Golden Boy—and even in terms of singles, Ready was your first since My Type in 2024. What inspired the decision to reintroduce yourself with Hello, It’s Me Again?
I wanted to get back in the groove of just releasing some music. I was more focused on traveling and working on shows. But I think it was time to give the people some music. I felt like we needed that feel-good music again, especially in the UK. So I thought, ‘You know what? Let me get my creative hat on, cook some stuff up, and give it to the people.’
Was there a particular moment, perhaps at a show, when it just felt like the right time?
Yeah, I had a show in Wembley Boxpark. That night felt more like a nostalgia night, and I saw how receptive people were to the catalog that I have there. I thought, let me give them a playlist of songs I’m working on right now. The energy in the crowd made me feel like I needed to give this audience a project, for sure. That was the inspo behind it.
How has the reception been to the announcement of a new project and new music?
The feedback’s been great. It’s exciting. I’ve only released two songs from the project and the supporters are loving it. I can’t wait to give them the full project and let them hear some sounds that are different from the typical Kojo.
Were there any artists in particular that triggered your decision to explore new sounds?
Not a particular artist, but when you go to clubs and hear the type of music that they play, I always think, ‘Okay, let’s try and explore.’ Add a little hint of R&B and Dance. I had to incorporate that in a project for sure.
It’s interesting that the first single, Ready, has a slight interpolation of Wizkid’s Balance..
To be honest, I don’t know. Because when producing the song, we didn’t really have Wizkid in mind. I haven’t heard that song Balance before, you know. What’s the name of the album [it’s on]?
More Love, Less Ego.
Oh, really? I’ll have to go check that out. But you know what? Wizkid is somebody I looked up to when I got into the game. So Wizkid is a strong influence when I’m creating music.
Of the six songs on the EP, do you have a favorite?
I like all of the songs on the EP. But I would say there’s a song on there called With You that stands out to me, because it’s different. You haven’t really heard Kojo like this before.
What would you say the state of the Afroswing scene is at the moment in terms of young cats coming up, and people innovating?
Afroswing had a period where it was really at the forefront. Towards the 2020 lockdown and afterwards, it became stagnant. But [then], the music will always play on. In terms of the new cats coming up, I just feel it’s all about working together to uplift the genre, coming together and creating, and consistency is key as well.
It’s been a decade since your first single, My 9ine, and your breakout, Dun Talkin’, in which time you’ve come to be described as the Godfather, Originator, and King of Afroswing. How would you describe the decade, so far?
It’s been a journey, but I feel like that’s life in a nutshell. You have your ups and you have your downs. In 2016, I never thought a song (Dun Talkin) I made in my friend’s back garden would break the door down. But after that, as an artist coming into the game, sometimes you think to yourself, “Wow, I got this song or this hit. How do I sustain it? Or how do I sustain the brand name Kojo Funds?.” So after Dun Talkin it felt like I needed to go even harder, so I put the work in.
It’s not that the journey is smooth sailing. In life, you come across obstacles. You might have writer’s block. You might not be in the mood to create. And these things happen. But that’s part of the journey. Like my uncle once said to me, “When a boxer is in a ring, to become a champion, you still have to take some blows.” You still have to go through the battle, the war, the scars. You still have to take these things on. That’s going to give you more inspiration in the end. The last 10 years have had ups and downs, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. And I feel like my sound still has a long journey to go.
It’s interesting that you talked about writers’ block and phases of difficulty. Was there any of that in the lead up to the new EP?
This EP in particular? No, because I was able to create. Can’t lie, it was a smooth sailing process. But even my first album, with the big hits on there, at times I had writer’s block, because I wanted it to be so perfect. But at the end of the day, nothing’s perfect. You still have to appreciate that you’re able to create stuff like this.
Who are the producers you worked with apart from Killbeatz?
We had SV on the Beat, who is a UK producer. Two Chris, a UK-Nigerian producer/artist, and Killbeatz. Killbeatz got like three tunes on the project.
What has your relationship with Afropop artists been like in the past couple of years, considering past collaborations with artists like Wizkid and SPINALL?
Everybody’s cool. I got love for everybody, especially those I’ve worked with. Those who I haven’t worked with, I would love to work with. Everything’s timing. When it’s the right time, I feel like it will happen. I do have some unreleased songs that I’m yet to give to the people, or collabs that people wouldn’t expect.
Any names in particular?
A banger with Tiwa Savage. I got a few connections there. That’s one. Big up Mavo as well. I recently connected with him, and hopefully, God willing, we will create something and give it to the people. But many more, for sure.
Any young Afroswing acts you think more people should listen to?
I feel like people should go and check them all out. They’re all talented, and I respect that. I would give a shout-out to Jay Silva, though. He’s held the flag when it comes to Afroswing for the past two years. I wouldn’t say he’s a young cat because he was there before, but when it comes to this new generation, he’s flying the flag.
How did the deal with Amuse come about?
We had someone who worked there, Mawuli, the Head A&R. He’s also a Ghanaian, based in Sweden, but back and forth visiting London. And he knew my manager, who told him, “Look, Kojo’s working on a project. He’s got these songs here, have a listen.” And Mawuli had a listen, and he loved them, so I felt like it’ll be a good partnership [for Amuse] to put the project up, and that’s how it came about. That’s how everything just fell into place.
After Hello, It’s Me Again, what should fans look out for?
I’m gonna release a nice feature. Not something that people expect. So, they should look out for that, for sure. I might [even] release two features, you know.
If you had to describe all six tracks of the EP in three words, what would they be?
I would say different, amazing, and stylish.
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