In 2024, when Kaestyle crossed over to the mainstream with the release of his street-resonant hit, “My Dealer,” with Omah Lay, which later earned an additional push with Kizz Daniel on the remix, it changed the game for him and turned a great amount of attention towards his electrifying talent. He would go on to release the ‘Another Style’ EP, which blended several influences, including a feature from American singer and songwriter 6LACK on “Egberi.” The fluidity he expressed from the beginning set the precedent for the genre-hopping feel of his debut album, ‘Stylish.’

As the name implies, ‘Stylish’ has a lot to do with the eclectic fashion styles on the streets of Port Harcourt that now define Kaestyle’s mode of self-expression. He describes it as a city of extremes, shaped by a dichotomy that stretches across daily life. There’s violence and wealth, love and loss, survival and ambition in surprisingly close proximity to one another. That is why ‘Stylish’ transmutes beyond its literal meaning to showcase his range through two distinct genres, R&B and Afropop.

The album is divided into two parts. Side A comprises eight heavily R&B-inflected records, while Side B retains his core Afropop flair across seven cohesive songs, bringing the total to fifteen tracks and a wholesome 38-minute runtime. On the David Hart-produced opener, “Bucket List,” and “See Finish,” his delivery is sweetly reminiscent of early 2000s R&B songs, while on “Cairo,” he interpolates Original Stereoman’s “E Dey Pain Me Gaga” to give it that edgy Southern Nigerian flavour. He taps Port Harcourt duo Ajebo Hustlers on “One Life” and labelmate M3lon on “To Me” to balance the groovy elements of Side A.

Side B comes after the interlude, “Bere,” which finds its melodious appeal in the slow charm of Wizard Chan’s voice. “Eluwa” immediately turns up the heat, with a seemingly Igbo-gospel flair. On “Baba” and “Saki Ofori,” he respectively invites Eldee and Duncan Mighty to bring more experienced perspectives shaped by their individual decades-long careers. Overall, ‘Stylish’ shows the multifaceted strengths of Kaestyle’s artistry.

Listen to ‘Stylish’ here.