Voices in Music: Forevatired are Genre-Bending Their Way To Redefining the Boy Band

One of the most fascinating (and controversial) products of pop music is the boy band. From influential motown groups to 90s R&B  heavyweights and pop-punk pin ups, boy bands have created some of the best-loved music of all time. Over the years, these venerated pop institutions have easily been characterised by their innocent male harmonies on pop choruses, synchronised choreography and matching outfits; exuding an adolescent appeal overall. 

However, as sound has shifted with time, the audience has in turn also shifted with it; fully embracing the movement. As a result, the staple definition of a boy band has been altered over time. Where the veteran groups were predominantly existing in the pop stratosphere, with a seemingly copy-paste conventional sound and image, this present generation of innovative creators are more defiant and daring than ever; debunking pigeonholed stereotypes and creating genre-defying sounds while still embodying the overall essence of a boy band. 

US male group, BROCKHAMPTON, is a prime epitome of this new age wave of male groups. A blend of hip-hop, soul and funk sounds, the 14-man group of rappers, vocalists, creative directors and producers have given a new meaning to the boy band. Following closely in their footsteps is Nigerian music collective, Forever Tired, stylised as ‘Forevatired’. 

Originally making music individually, the boys always felt an underlying ‘mutual responsibility to express themselves in a way that inspires others’. Linked by this shared mindset, a common yearning for a community dawned on them. Pieced together in 2017 by front man Faith (Kyyd), the 10-man group of rappers, vocalists, producers, graphic artists and photographers joined forces to create a functional ecosystem; selecting a name that served as an interpretation of the group’s environment and experiences at the time. 

Sonically, the boys are as diverse as they come; yet somehow seem to create a seamlessly cohesive sound classified as genre-swirling hip hop. It wouldn’t be outlandish to assume that this feat is achievable because as most groups often do, the boys all seem to have their various roles and parts played in this musical machine. Frontman Kyyd doubles as executive producer as well as rapper. Production is assisted by Golddrummachine and Brum3h, who also double as vocalists. The vocal team is completed with Etienne while Pharaoh, Rookie SBK, Faruna, Burgundy, Indigo and Rockimonsta all rap. 

Influences from music collectives like Odd Future and The Internet are evident in the boys’ unorthodox, non-conforming aesthetic, while The Pharcyde’s impact is noticeable in their sound. Nevertheless, while drawing inspiration from such figures, the boys still manage to maintain their individuality musically.

Their latest offering, Before You Kill Us All, perfectly depicts the sonic direction Forevatired is headed. A blend of melancholic soul and bouncy hip hop, BYKUA emanates the whirlwind of emotions the group experienced during its making; each song quintessentially on a different sonical path than the one preceding it, seemingly implying a different emotion at each turn. Opening up with the sombre open letter, ‘Frank’, the listener is abruptly cast into a self-sabotage/self-analytical plane as Golddrummachine’s deadpan delivery urges them to ponder on the meaning of life. ‘Now what is love when you never ever feel alive/Now what’s the fear of the reaper when it’s been prophesied ?’, he raps questioning the essence of our very existence. Teaming up with Brum3h, ‘Else’ finds Golddrummachine seeping back into the critical cave of self-searching, delivering ethereal vocals on a bed of soulful guitar strums. ‘I wish I could change myself/I’m reaching out for any help’.

Nonetheless despair isn’t the only running theme on this project. ‘Nawty Boys’ sees Etienne and Rockimonsta tackling crucial social issues like sexual consent through a catchy mid-tempo bop. ‘Don’t touch/Don’t touch/She don’t wanna be touched’, they echo repetitively to listeners. Elsewhere on ‘Gone Bad’, (arguably the best track on the project) Rookie SBK and Burgundy pair up to deliver a feel good chillhop vibe, perfect for the first kickback post-‘rona. And with ‘420’, Indigo delivers a stellar performance on the trap bop; oozing braggadocio and bravado as he spits witty rhymes alluding to his smoking prowess. 

While the boys all play their part in creating the magic that is Forevatired, the true enchantment and underlying secret weapon of it all lies in 23 year old female vocalist and producer, Seo; an affiliate of the group. With such a lived-in voice,  it’s easy to assume the singer has experienced an entire lifetime prior to this one. Thriving predominantly in desolating themes, Seo effortlessly delivers dark, introspective lyrics over minimal production. 

‘Cold’ is a self-reflecting soliloquy which sees the artist questioning her inconsiderate actions, ‘I don’t know why I’m so cold/Guess it’s just a part of me’. The artist admittedly ‘prefers darker lyrical themes that are more abstract than direct’ and this is evident on ‘Lost’ and ‘Kiwi’. Both tracks seem to have no obvious subject matter; comprising ambiguous lyrics sutrily delivered over gloomy guitar strums and an overall psychedelic soundscape. 

But the true unsung hero in their discography is presented in the form of ‘No Land In Any Direction’, an alternative cut performed by Seo herself. Over sullen guitar licks and stripped down, slow tempo drums, Seo expresses complex emotions of vulnerability and sadness. ‘Please don’t look too closely/You’ll see me when you see me break’, she drawls in a melancholic almost-whisper, warning a potential partner of the cracks in the perfect picture they might realise as they spend time with her. ‘Zoom in if you must though/Get it over with so/So I can go’, she decides it’s better to let them see her at her lowest so they can decide if they’re interested or not. Feeling trapped by the constant feeling of inadequacy, she yearns for an escape. ‘Dangle off my sleeve now/Don’t hang around, don’t hang around/It’s time for me to leave now/Just wanna dangle down’, she despondently sings. Finally, she’s made it out of the chaotic mess that is her head, but for how long ? When will she be finally free from her own thoughts ? (‘Get a hold of this place/I made it out I did escape/But not forever/Get out I wanna go’)

In an age of progressive ideas and initiatives, the world has certainly become more accepting of unconventional genres of music and it’s refreshing to see the Nigerian audience following suit. Forevatired isn’t your everyday alternative band; they’re a posse of multilayered artists who couldn’t be more diverse. Blending Golddrummachine’s chillwave essence highlighted by his signature tinkling synths, Rookie’s brooding presence, Brum3h’s soulful melancholia, Indigo & Burgundy’s hard-hitting, playful rhymes and topping it off with Seo’s soft-layered desolation; you are blessed with a pleasant combustion of emotions certain to take you on a journey – it’s just a matter of where you want to go. We’re excited to see Forevatired’s next sonical sojourn, and you should be too. 

Stream BYKUA below.