Kemuel announced his presence in Nigerian music with the slick songwriting and clever shuffling drums of his 2022 debut single, “CHAMPAGNE GIRL”. The Rivers-born singer instantly positioned himself among the new generation of lover-poets advancing Nigerian popular music thanks to a sophisticated style that blended clever puns, delicate world-building and nimble rhythmicity. Further evidence of the singer’s talents was served on 2022’s Escape—a six-song rumination on how a romantic affiliation could survive its challenges—with highlights like the amapiano-inflected “Neveah” and soul-drenched “Mumu”. Since then, Kemuel has matured as a performer and worked his way into national conversations. In 2023, the singer (born Kemuel Emmanuel) collaborated with celebrated DJ SPINALL and Afrobeats legend Olamide on the highly addictive “Bunda”, nudging both icons into his world while helming the vibes on the dreamy, electro-influenced single. More of those soul-electro fusions anchor Kemuel’s second project, Clouds. On the ambitious follow-up to Escape, the singer is more surefooted in terms of intentions and execution as he makes points about enjoying life on his terms, experiencing romantic bliss with his chosen one and navigating the gutting nature of heartbreak. Across the seven songs of Clouds, Kemuel runs a gamut of emotions while inviting his listeners along for the ride with an almost diaristic songwriting style. “Alone” is a joyful attempt at committing to a loved one despite mitigating circumstances, while “Polo” captures the thrill of a healthy romance in bloom. The second half of Clouds is led by “Water”, a mellow ditty that sees the singer confront the crippling doubt that follows a love in tatters before he announces his disinterest in keeping things going over the tender piano and percussion of “Find”. Still, Kemuel finds the strength to imagine a better life for himself, drawing on his Rivers State heritage to find motivation on “Focus”.