Story by: Lucky Ezeinuaku
It's been three years, since Atlanta native Kelechi dropped an album, but his latest work, Going Home was well worth the wait.
The Nigerian-American lyricist, producer and engineer stumbled on his talent for words in grade school through poetry projects. By the age of 14, he had already built a home studio in his parents’ basement.
In 2014, Kelechi switched from his early stage name “SUBMiT”, to his given name. This change marked the beginning of his journey through a terrain rarely treaded by Nigerian-Americans, dropping out of college to pursue a full-time career in music.
The decision proved to be a fruitful one, as he's already been able to open up for Chance the Rapper, Wale & Jidenna on tour. His unique background allows him to lend a fresh perspective to social issues, which he fully dissects in his music.
His latest music video, DFWM, showcases his skillful lyricism and storytelling ability to perfection. Set in an empty MARTA station, there is a sense of loneliness permeating the visuals, and the lyrics feel like a monologue, more self-directed than a message to the outside. Kelechi is on the grind, fighting to make it as an artist.
The beat drops almost halfway through the song, and we can feel a burst of hope in the lyrics. He now raps about beautiful women, six-figure deals, and trips to Turks & Caicos. As the video ends, the train begins to fill up. Kelechi is no longer alone.