A quick look at Igwe Aka’s Instagram account reveals the precise moment his style shifted. A teaser post from the 9th of January marks that critical turning point. In this clear digital landmark, he debuted what turned out to be “KAPOW,” a viral track that has given the Nigerian-born, Sacramento-based rapper and singer a significant boost in local exposure and acclaim. 

Before the release of “KAPOW,” Igwe Aka had already garnered some buzz in Sacramento’s underground scene thanks to his experimentation with a range of Hip-Hop styles and even Rock-influenced music. The viral track, however, ingeniously merged those Western influences with distinctive melodic cadences of his native Igbo language, creating an authentic and refreshing sound that quickly drew admiration from local listeners here who found resonance with his new style. 

This potent fusion of influences and a discernible visual aesthetic that leans heavily into Y2K Nollywood imagery has been the bedrock of his recent run and has made him one of the most exciting names currently shaping the future of Nigerian music. It’s also the driving force behind his latest release, ‘Wawa Music,’ a two-pack that features the standout “EGONOMICS.” 

Produced by 3CB, one of the major architects shaping the sounds coming out of the burgeoning underground scene, “EGONOMICS” reaches deeper into Igwe Aka’s cultural roots and evolving musical sensibilities, putting on for the Ndi Wawa, a subgroup of the Igbo people primarily located in Ebonyi and Enugu, his home state. Over bouncy drums and a floating oja flute, a native instrument of the Igbos, he raps about how he’s focused on getting the bag with clever wordplays like ‘My pockets filled with crackers but they speaking in Ebonics,’ while also referencing regions and landmarks like Federal Housing and Mbaise that ground the song’s narrative within his lived experiences.

The promotional videos for the single, as well as most of his other releases this year, have been fit for purpose, as they feature Igwe Aka in specific, carefully selected locations that intentionally evoke a strong sense of place and local pride, nicely complementing the themes and context of his current music. 

“EGONOMICS,” and the rest of ‘Wawa Music,’ which includes the Odunsi The Engine-assisted “BACKASSI,” exists within a broader trend of emerging acts pushing against the homogenisation of Afropop by taking strong inspiration from their roots and making something familiar but also forward-thinking. The recent viral success of Kayode’s “AIMOYE,” which samples King Saheed Osupa’s “Reliable Pt.5” lends credence to the trend. 

Other emerging acts like Luwa.Mp4, S1orDie, and Indi are similarly merging old and new influences to create something unique, and the release of “EGONOMICS” ensures Igwe Aka remains at the forefront of this movement, shaping and defining the future of Nigerian music. 

Listen to “EGONOMICS” here.