Writer’s Note: I went from liking Kizz Daniel’s music once, to not being particularly enthusiastic about it, and now, to liking it again. Through these phases, I’ve come to understand that with Kizz Daniel, you simply cannot hate him—or the music he makes. He’s an exceptional musician, but not just because of that. His music, rather, finds its way into every corner of the rooms you find yourself in. It’s literally exposure until it’s etched in your head—and that’s all you need.
When Kizz Daniel cracked the code of his audience’s demands with “Buga”, it seemed like he was making an erroneous detour from the style that had defined his career since his breakout in 2014 with “Woju”, back when he had just left university. He was presented as an up-and-coming artist with the finesse to sway his audience and attract wide female appeal. But Kizz Daniel proved to be more than just that. Beyond being ‘fine boy Kiss,’ he was also just as talented as his looks suggested—delivering classic after classic, from “Laye” to “Mama” to “One Ticket.” As he grew in his aura, his musicality became a barrel of sonic enthusiasm waiting to be explored by both new and existing audiences.
So no, Kizz Daniel conceding to audience demands with “Buga” wasn’t a derailment of his career. It was, rather, the unfolding of the cocoon of his artistry—one that has now spiraled into something exceptional.
Following that, Kizz Daniel has now dropped his most recent project, Uncle K: Lemon Chase, the EP that comes after the album, Maverick, released in 2023. Here’s a summary of what this project holds—and what it might soon achieve. It’s reminiscent of his 2021 Barnabas—in terms of beautiful curation and the potential to spiral into an all-hits body of work.
There’s an angle to this very recent EP—or rather, this writer believes Uncle K: Lemon Chase is a revival of Kizz Daniel’s defining musicality. The one we were first introduced to. It’s as though he’s not just bragging about his talent—he’s reminding us that, beyond the recent music he’s spent over a year crafting (a detour from today’s Nigerian music industry trends), he remains a rhythmic chairman. Kizz Daniel belongs to the elite two percent of Nigerian artists who simply have the sauce.
The beautiful encapsulation of themes in Uncle K: Lemon Chase is apparent even after a one-time listen. The project opens with the love song “Black Girl Magic,” a warm, percussive track filled with cheesy lines—like Kizz Daniel’s attempt at romance when he says, “make I be your Joseph, knack you like carpenter.” The cheesiness continues in another love song, “Titi”, where he features FOLA. The opening lines are playful, but this isn’t new for Kizz Daniel, who’s known for his witty lyrics.
We then move to “Secure” featuring Zlatan, where the theme shifts. Here, the Zanku maestro and Kizz Daniel sing about the power of money and their pursuit of wealth. This track rides on thumping traditional drums and edgy instrumentals that amplify both Zlatan’s rawness and Kizz’s intent.
In “Al-Jannah,” the mood turns gritty yet somber. The Odumodublvck and Bella Shmurda-assisted track deals with grief and loss. While Odumodublvck and Bella reflect on losing loved ones, Kizz Daniel anchors the chorus with the repeated line, “I wish I can talk to you one more time my friend / but e bad pass / I’ll see you for Al-Jannah.”
Though not much has been heard from Runtown lately, Kizz Daniel brings him on “Peace I Chose,” returning to themes of love—but this time, he emphasizes his need for peace of mind over ‘women drama.’ What’s particularly captivating is the similarity to Runtown’s “Things I Know.” The melodic closeness feels intentional, as though Kizz created “Peace I Chose” to make Runtown feel at home.
Next on the 7-track list is “Eyo”, a lighthearted track where Kizz Daniel steps away from earlier intensity. He interpolates Chuddy K’s classic “Gaga” line—“this club is going crazy”—layered over bouncy percussion. Kizz Daniel’s melodies here bring a carefree mood to the song.
Uncle K: Lemon Chase closes with the soulful “Police”, featuring the iconic Angelique Kidjo and Johnny Drille. It ends on a high note—romantic, lighthearted, and full of melody. With log drums, piano keys, and the fusion of diverse talents, the project wraps up beautifully.
Throughout the EP, it’s clear that Kizz Daniel’s choice of features is intentional. There’s no moment where you wonder, “Who else could have done this better?” Zlatan feels right at home on “Secure,” Runtown is in his element on “Peace I Chose,” and Odumodublvck and Bella Shmurda shine on “Al-Jannah.”
While the sound remains familiar—true to Kizz Daniel’s vibe on a good day—there’s still a distinctiveness to this EP. It gives a subtle nod to the strength of his talent, the consistency of his artistry, and yet reveals an unseen edge—newly unveiled in Uncle K: Lemon Chase.
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