North London rapper Keeya Keys unveils his highly anticipated debut EP Keys to the City, out on 25th April via Moves Recordings.

Two years in the making and meticulously crafted with the help of London production quartet 4PLAY, Keys to the City sees Keeya in his element, carving out melodic flows alongside a plethora of talented artists including BOJ, Blanco and Kida Kudz. The six-track EP consolidates the North Londoner’s reputation as one of the UK’s finest new rap talents, showcasing his ability with ease to rap over over Garage, Rap, Drill and Gospel-influenced productions, having burst onto the scene in 2020 with a flurry of big singles including ‘Your Loss’, ‘Ruud’ and ‘Bebey’.

Keys To The City opens with feel-good lead single ‘Lean On Me’, a soulful anthem which was named Capital XTRA’s Home Grown Track Of The Week as well as 2x Record Of The Week on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Next up, the peppy and energetic ‘You Don’t’ sees Keeya and fellow Londoner Blanco combining over a jazzy guitar and saxophone. Keeya’s slick wordplay is then given room to shine on recent hit single‘Boujee’, riffing on success and self-confidence over a cool, stripped-down afrobeat production. Nigerian Alté pioneer BOJ shines on the catchy chorus, and the track is expertly crafted by revered Grammy-winning producer Jae5.

Rounding out the EP, ‘Street Life’ is a wholesome mix of sunny guitar and uplifting piano as Keeya and Nigerian afropop sensation Kida Kudz wax poetic about their humble beginnings, before ‘Up Down’ brings Keeya’s garage influence to the fore with nostalgic production from Grammy award-nominated producer iO.

“This EP is a rebirth for myself”, Keeya says about the release. “It is a new chapter and I'm excited to be back releasing music. Every song on this project is placed particularly as the EP is made to be played on repeat.”

Keeya Keys sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:

1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?

Growing up I had so many songs influences around me, whether that was my mum, my dad, my older brother or my friends. That being said I think it was always a bit of a selfish thing for me. I grew up listening to local mc’s like Skepta, Wretch, Scorcher, Griminal and Ice Kid. I was attracted to them cause they all wrote with emotion, so when I started writing and spitting in the playground that feeling of being accepted and rated was almost my drug. But as I’ve grown into the artist I am today I write more to impress myself and care less about however people accept it. I just wanna be me.

2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?

I remember buying my first two CD’s which were Late Registration and Wretchrospective. I used to play them on repeat on my way to school. I loved both for very different reasons, wretch for the way he writes so intricately and kanye cause he created a sonic landscape where he could be direct and playful with his lyrics. Then by the time 808’s and Heartbreak dropped I was hooked. I’ve always been attracted to darker themes in songs and as I grew older I got heavily influenced by Mac Miller and J Hus. I feel like I’ve grown into a mixture of all of these artists in my own way. I really wanna work with Dave, he’s got everything I love when it comes to writing.

3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?

My new EP Keys to the City is dropping April 25th executively produced by 4PLAY including production from Jae5 and Io. I’m really excited to release as it’s my debut and it shows my versatility as a rapper. We’ve created this short insight into me in the form of a playlist, the purpose is that you can play it on repeat and it flows smoothly. With features from Blanco, Boj and Kida Kudz I’m really trying to explore the Uk/Alte scene in Africa. My favourite track on the EP is Street Life featuring Kida Kudz, this shows a more introspective side of me and the second verse is probably the best verse I’ve put out so far. I set a goal to drop at least 15 tracks this year and this is a good start, I’m really looking forward to putting myself out there this year and showcasing the new me.

4. How would you describe your sound?

GREATNESS 

5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?

I think it would be my headline show last year. We sold out the tickets in a week! As a “covid baby” it was a beautiful feeling to connect with my supporters face to face, it was the first moment where I felt the extent to which my music has touched people.

6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?

Have fun and don’t chase anything! We all deserve to enjoy what we do, and when you do that, the rewards will come tenfold!

7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?

Bawo just released a crazy project. Nix Northwest is a special artist from the UK, and Blanco is coming heavy this year!

8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?

Davido - Timeless is one of the best projects I’ve heard in so long! The guy is just a classic man.
Mac Miller - Swimming is a project I always seem keep circling back to I think it just touches me in a different way.
Don Toliver - Love Sick just takes me on a transcendent journey and I got lost in the feeling.

9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?

I’ve learnt that without exercise it’s easy for your mind to wander. Playing football keeps me healthy and focused. I love playing and without it I dunno if I could survive haha.

10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?

If you asked me this last year it would be very different LOL. 
But now I’d say 
1. Water
2. Snus
3. My laptop cause I’m always flipping ideas off inspiration I find on the internet.