Kemuel Returns to His Roots With Deeply Personal “Borokiri Boy” EP
Port Harcourt native Kemuel is getting vulnerable on his latest project. The rising artist has unveiled Borokiri Boy, a nine-track EP that serves as both a love letter to his hometown and an intimate diary of emotional evolution. Named after Borokiri, the Rivers State neighborhood that shaped him, this third EP finds Kemuel at his most introspective, chronicling the messy terrain between infatuation and self-awareness.
What makes this project particularly striking is Kemuel’s complete creative control—he wrote and produced every track under his production alias, Wondah. The sonic palette weaves Afrobeats rhythms with R&B smoothness and electronic flourishes, creating a soundscape that moves fluidly through the emotional arc Kemuel maps out. The narrative starts with the intoxicating rush of new attraction before navigating through complicated situationships and toxic patterns, ultimately landing at a moment of clarity: real love requires doing the work on yourself first.
“The name Borokiri Boy is very intentional because this project is mostly about me,” Kemuel explains. “It’s made up of a lot of love songs because, honestly, I’m mostly made of love. I wanted the project to feel like a journey. It starts with love, moves through the excitement of it, and slowly arrives at awareness. It’s me realising that as much as I have so much love to give, I also have so much work to do on myself.”
The EP’s journey unfolds across tracks like “Seki,” where vulnerability meets hesitation, and “Osei Baby,” where Kemuel keeps things casual despite his partner’s deeper feelings. “Close 2 U” offers a breather—a moment of genuine connection amid chaos—while the “YOLO”/”FINI” sequence explores how “live in the moment” energy can spiral into recklessness. “Wound Me” confronts the addictive nature of toxic love, and “Pitakwa Girls Riddim” celebrates Port Harcourt women with playful local flavor. The closing “Spirit / Habit” brings resolution, with Kemuel admitting he’s not ready for love while grounding himself in the mantra: “E go sup eventually.” Everything will work out.
“I hope this project shows what it looked like to be lost in love,” Kemuel reflects, “and what it feels like to finally start finding my balance.” Borokiri Boy is now streaming everywhere via ONErpm—a compelling showcase of an artist learning to love himself before loving anyone else.
Stay connected with Afrobeat San Diego for the latest in global Afrobeats.