African music is going through a reset right now, and that evolution is being led by young stars tapping into inventive styles without losing touch with their African roots and identity. Rising star, Champz, exemplifies that approach, merging the word-bending grit of grime with the melodic undertone of Afropop. Last year, he introduced himself with his five-track EP, ‘Champion’s Arrival,’ hybridising UK rap influences with a distinctive Nigerian identity. 

Less than five months after ‘Champion’s Arrival,’ the 14-year-old is back with his new project, ‘Young Poet,’ expanding on his origin story with standout tracks like “Bad Guyz” and “Shut The Block Down.” Across the 10-minute runtime of the project, the youngster affirms his origins, lays down a gauntlet for challengers, and situates himself in the future of Afropop. By his own telling on “War Lord,” he was made to make music and ‘Young Poet’ is his statement of intent. 

His conversation with Apple Music’s Africa Now Radio has been edited below for length and clarity. 

How does it feel to inspire people?

It feels really good. Someone my age doing stuff like this and inspiring my peers, people older than me, people younger than me, people who want to make music, and people who don’t believe they can do it. I just want to be the one to tell you that you can do it anytime. Once you push for your goals, you can pick your goals at any time you want. You always want to keep on going.

What does this new EP, ‘Young Poet,’ mean to you?

This new EP is like I’m solidifying my place, you feel me? I’m dropping this EP to let everyone know that I’m really doing this. I’m not playing any games around anymore. I’m doing this for real, so I want to let everyone know that, “Yo, this is what I’m trying to do for real.” With this whole EP, it’s kind of like a statement piece for me. Not everyone can do what I do, and I want everyone to know that. But doesn’t mean I don’t want to inspire people; I don’t want to demotivate. I’m open to competition, but it doesn’t mean I don’t think I’m the best, you feel me? As I said, this is like my statement piece, so I want to show everyone that I can do anything I want to do, and I want to do it. So, I did a bit of Afrobeats, Afroswing, Amapiano, everything is in there. Rap, everything.

How did you make “Bad Guyz?”

“Bad Guyz” is Amapiano, and there’s Rap in it, there’s Dance. I want everyone to be able to dance when they hear the song, and, you know, I don’t want to stray too far away from Rap because, you feel me, I’m a rapper. I don’t want anyone to forget that I’m a rapper for real, so that’s why I still had to show everyone that I still got that on me. So, the whole Rap is in the build of the song, the Amapiano, everything is like a combination of African and Western elements all in one song. It’s like versatility to push Africa forward. That was the goal: to push Africa forward and to push Champz forward. 

What’s your favourite track on the project?

“Shut The Block Down” was one of the songs [I really liked], it’s like my personal favorite song because it tells my story and how I feel about certain things. I don’t really speak much; I use music to express myself. So, when I rap about these things, it’s like, it’s me for real.  I’m speaking to you and letting you know how I feel and how I want to feel. So, “Shut The Block Down” was kind of like fully Rap, with emotional additions and everything just to make a statement. 

What’s your message to your fans?

To all the supporters of Champz, everyone who’s going to listen to ‘Young Poet,’ I pray for you. I pray you can find meaning in my music. I pray you can dance to my music. If you want to go to the gym, I pray you can work to my music, you feel me? I just want everyone to be able to enjoy my music at any time, anyplace, any day.  I want to give a big shoutout to Olaolu Slawn for designing the cover as well. Big up Slawn and everyone who put this together. The producers and Paranormal, as well. Shoutout to Paranormal and everyone on the EP and everything. Shoutout to my mom, my manager, and everyone. Big shoutout to everyone who made ‘Young Poet’ happen for me. I love you all to everyone and to my fans as well. Don’t let anyone hold you back. Wherever you get to in life, don’t leave your roots behind. Always push with your roots, push Africa because, you know, we’re really changing up the game. 

Listen to ‘Young Poet’ here.