With the rise of indigenous melodic rap in Nigeria, Neo 21’s Teriqus EP connects as a breath of fresh air, serving as a noteworthy spin with a meld of UK Afro-swing, Drill, and Afrobeats. The four-tracker EP opens with “The Smoke”, a Drill-leaning bop tucked with ambient 808s, setting the tone for Neo 21’s charismatic hip-hop braggadocio.
The haunting ambient chords within “The Smoke” butter Neo 21’s lyrical structure with solemnity. “Final form men, we outside/ It’s glacier, like ice/ They say real G’s don’t die/ (Bring out the smoke),” he sing-raps with emotional intensity. The song’s arrangement opens up a distinct conversation within the Drill scene, where emphasis is placed on harmonic flows over raspy cadence. In “The Smoke”, Neo 21 shows prowess in defining his own rhythms, with a hyper-groovy pace that mirrors classics from other industry players like Blaqbonez, Psycho YP, and, more recently, Zaylevelten.
Again, Neo 21’s code-switching lyricism stretches the originality on the record, colouring the EP with a clear Afrobeats heritage while retaining the rap mechanics that define it as a Drill anthem. “Dem go feel am, we go give them/ Make dem no sleep/ On this journey, I’ve been cultivating life,” he switches between Pidgin and English bars.
The next track, “Enthralled”, snowballs the EP into a laid-back emo-pop/lounge-pop feel, as Neo 21 unlocks his tenor prowess. Signalling a versatile approach, the song works as a mood stabiliser, inducing dramatic tension and release for the EP’s entire playback. “Timely” returns the EP to its Drill/Afro-swing melee, strengthening the project with more code-switching between Yoruba, Pidgin, and English as he further rehashes his hustle perspectives. The EP’s closer, “Not Nice”, connects with further shock value, as he talks about “stifling the threat” and keeping “my foot on necks”. It’s classic hip-hop warfare style but with a hyper-melodic approach that raises its replay value.
Overall, Teriqus stands out for its storytelling, melodic signature, and tonal quality. Drawing inspiration from the Greek word Neoteriq, which translates as “new age poet”, Neo 21 establishes his artistry as a version of progressive rap that reverberates within a UK-Nigerian audience. It’s a refreshing spin, with a classic twist in his choice of rap lexicon and his fusion-leaning approach.
Born Wale Aroyewun, Neo 21 is a Nigerian-born, Bradford-based artiste carving out a definitive space within this movement. His debut body of work, Teriqus, is his most definitive project — a symbol of cultural pride positioning him as a vital voice in the new generation of diaspora artistes. Formerly known as Neoteriq, he has honed his artistry with a skilful blend of Afrobeats and UK hip-hop and rap. This deliberate fusion forms a sonic bridge between his Nigerian heritage and his UK identity, creating a sound that feels both familiar and futuristic simultaneously.
A serial performer, Neo 21 has graced notable UK festivals including the BD Festival, Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA), and Blankets & Wine UK, as well as opening for Afrobeat legends like Duncan Mighty and Tuface Idibia, among other industry showcases. He has also performed at the Launchpad x Wakefield Exchange and the Future of Music & Tech Conference, among others.
