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Kwesi Slay was down for the count, think again. The Ashaiman-native yeah, Bernard Kwesi Appiah, but nobody calls him that just bounced back from the longest ghosting session ever. Fans were starting to wonder if he’d packed up for good. Nope. Turns out, he was just recharging, plotting, and now he’s back swinging with a fresh EP, “Aben.” For the uninitiated, “Aben” literally means “it is near,” which if you ask me is a cheeky way of saying, “Watch out, I’m coming for everything.”
So, what’s the scoop? First project since 2021’s “Eye Clear” (which, by the way, had Kofi Mole and was *everywhere* on the ‘gram and Spotify). In case you missed it, he’s already dropped bangers like “Street Ways” and “Wedi Bet” years back, and he’s always hanging with the big boys Medikal, Kwesi Arthur, Kuami Eugene, you name it.
This new EP? It’s got that old-school Kwesi flavor, but he’s definitely leveling up. “Street Ways” and “Wedi Bet” make a comeback (because if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it), but he’s also linking up with solid names like Ko-Jo Cue, Cabum, Kemenya, and Wanlov. Production credits? Lyrical Beatz, Kemenya TV, and the man himself, because why not do it all?
Let’s not forget, Kwesi Slay’s the dude who gave us “3y3 Normal” with Yaa Pono and that monster hit “Seven” with Kwesi Arthur. Back then, you couldn’t walk through Accra without hearing his stuff blaring from someone’s speakers. His music? Gritty, raw, and real pretty much the unofficial soundtrack for anyone hustling out there.
Then, radio silence. Two-plus years. People started speculating did he quit? Burn out? Get abducted by aliens? Turns out, he was just taking a breather. His words: “Sometimes silence is the loudest form of preparation.” Deep, right? Dude basically went on a soul-searching retreat and came back sharper, hungrier, and ready to drop some serious bars.
Now, everyone’s talking about “Slay Season.” He’s promising tracks that’ll hit you right in the feels part street, part poetry, all fire. And with his history of flipping collabs into pure gold (remember “Frass” with Medikal, or “Pussy Cat” with Quamina MP?), it’s safe to say he’s not here to play.
He’s not chasing clout, either. “This is about repping my truth and every dreamer who’s ever had to pause to gather strength.” If that doesn’t hit home, I don’t know what does.
Word is, he’s plotting some massive collabs local and international and maybe even a headline tour. Plus, there’s a new multi-track project dropping later this year, so keep your ears open.
Long story short: Kwesi Slay’s back, his pen is sharper, his sound’s deeper, and Ghanaian hip-hop just got a much-needed jolt. You want updates? Stalk him here: