Nigerian Afrobeats artist Keshinro Ololade, popularly known as Lil Kesh, has opened up about a pivotal moment in his career involving his breakout hit ‘Efejoku’. In a recent interview with Not Just Ok, the rapper-singer revealed he once offered the now-iconic track to music producer Young Jonn, unaware of its potential impact.
"I Didn’t Know the Value of the Song"
Lil Kesh explained that his artistic leanings at the time were more melody-focused, and he initially felt ‘Efejoku’ didn’t align with his preferred style.
“I love melody. So when I recorded ‘Efejoku’, I felt it was nice but not exactly me. I told Young Jonn, ‘you can have it’—just like that,” he said, reflecting with a hint of disbelief.
A Turnaround Moment with Olamide
It wasn’t until Lil Kesh played the song for his mentor and YBNL label boss, Olamide (Baddo), that he realized what he was about to miss.
“We were chilling at Oriental Hotel, and I played it for Baddo. He was blown away. When I told him I had dashed the song to Young Jonn, he told me, ‘You better go back and collect your song!’”
Lil Kesh eventually reclaimed the track, which went on to become one of his most recognizable anthems and a major step in propelling his career forward.
‘Efejoku’: A Song That Stuck
Released in 2015, ‘Efejoku’, featuring label mate Viktoh and produced by Young Jonn, quickly became a club and radio favorite across Nigeria. With its infectious beat and street appeal, the song marked Lil Kesh as a rising force in the Afrobeats and street-hop scenes.
A Lesson in Trusting the Process
The story serves as a reminder of how creative instincts evolve, and how industry mentorship—like Olamide’s guidance—can shape critical decisions. For Lil Kesh, ‘Efejoku’ wasn’t just a hit—it was a turning point he almost missed.
“That’s a crazy story behind ‘Efejoku’,” he concluded with a smile.
The anecdote adds a new layer of appreciation for the hit track, now etched in the evolution of modern Afrobeats.