The South-South city of Port Harcourt is one of the most impactful cities when it comes to music, serving as a breeding ground of musical talents that have gone on to the national spotlight; from gospel acts like Mercy Chinwo to some of Afrobeats biggest artists like Burna Boy, Duncan Mighty and Timaya, and new school afro pop’s biggest act of last year Omah Lay and Ajebo Hustlers. Home to one of the major club scenes in the country and a huge radio listenership, the city has constantly shown it is a hotbed of talents and can break out stars without the Lagos influence.
Fresh amongst these hotbeds of talents seeking to break out, is Hitboy Kellz. Creating his own unique blend of Afrobeats, by leaning into his influences and bias for reggae and R&B sounds, as shown in his latest single Confused, Hitboy Kellz channels his feelings into his music, knowing he’s not just telling his story, but expressing emotions other people have felt.
In conversation with More Branches, he talks about falling in love with music and pursuing a career as an artist, despite wanting to be a doctor as a child, his creative process, and working with Northboi.
Tell us about your early beginnings, how did you get into loving music?
Hitboy Kellz: I have always loved to sing but I didn’t know I’d be an artist, cause growing up I wanted to be a medical doctor. But then music happened, it must have been when I started singing acapella in church with my younger brother, advancing to learning how to write songs and singing my own songs as a teenager
What influenced you growing up?
Hitboy Kellz: It is hard to say what my greatest influence is, because for me, when I found music, I just sort of knew this is it, a certain knowing from deep inside and since then, the push has always come from within, it’s like what I’m meant to be doing cause trust me it’s way easier for me and comes more naturally to me than being a medical doctor
When did you start getting into music professionally and what pushed you to get into it fully?
Hitboy Kellz: I started making music professionally after my A levels in Lagos. I came back to PH around 2013 and with the experience, I got in school making and writing songs, I wanted to explore more so I started going to the studio frequently, that’s how I started making what I like to call magic.
How would you describe your music and the effect growing up in Port Harcourt has on your sound?
Hitboy Kellz: My music is infectious and relatable if you really pay attention. I feel like I am telling someone’s story or expressing someone else’ emotions, it’s really like channeling a feeling at a particular time, knowing I can’t be the only one that’s been through what I have been through or seen what I have seen whether it be good or bad.
I am proud to say I spent most of my life here in PH, I wouldn’t have gotten this “pressure” anywhere in this country, it also gives me a lot of joy to know that my PH people can relate to what I say, be it the slangs or the pictures I try to paint with my lyrics.
Music is also a universal language so I tell the story from this side in such an honest manner that even if you have never been to this side, you can still feel the emotions that come with growing up here.
You have a unique blend of Afrobeats, R&B and Reggae, how did you fuse this all together?
Hitboy Kellz: Yeah, my sound is a blend of genres. I always tell people it’s a curve from Afrobeats, Reggae, RnB, and more because sometimes I curve it into Trap. Curving is a term that I use in my creative space while making beats or working with producers, it is a term for creating my sound, a distinctive blend of genres, so as long as you love music there’s always going to be something for you within my sound.
It’s a sweet blend at the end of the day the “Afrogangstar” sound, Gangstar not to be confused with a gangster. Fusing it together is just the easiest part because it comes naturally for me. I just need an Afrogangtar beat to create magic.
What inspired the self proclaiming name ‘Hitboy Kellz’?
Hitboy Kellz: The name Hitboy Kellz came from my producer flame. I was just “Kelly” making jams every time I hit the studio and he was like “bro you keep making hits you’re a hit boy”, that was how he started calling me Hitboy. I had to bring my Kelly which is now Kellz back to the picture so that’s how I became Hitboy Kellz and trust me the name is working for me on God.
What would you say sets you apart from your peers, what makes the music unique to you and your sound?
Hitboy Kellz: Just the fact that I am Hitboy Kellz alone makes me different from every other person. Everyone has their strength and mine is my sound. I don’t force it; it comes to me naturally it’s like magic, believe me, and every producer I work with feels that magic. My concentration and connection are key.
Tell us about your new single ‘Confused’, with production from Northboi?
Hitboy Kellz: I am a fan of Northboi’s craft, when he dropped that fire EP, Spirit Business, I streamed every beat. Honestly, I wanted to work on about three beats from the Ep, but I chose the bonus track. I recorded that song about a week after the EP dropped and it was well-received, I am grateful for that.
What can we expect from you this year?
Hitboy Kellz: Expect another PH city artist on the mainstream. It’s really my turn this year thanks to my label LMW (L-Easy Music Worldwide) for believing in me and definitely making everything possible for me to be out there on top. I have an EP almost ready to go and trust me you have never seen something like this.
