Few artists manage to craft a sound that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. Kadrick is one of those rare voices. Hailing from Freetown, Sierra Leone, and now making waves from his base in the US, his music is more than just a blend of genres—it’s an expression of identity, emotion, and unrelenting creativity.
In this exclusive conversation, we dive into the heart of Kadrick’s artistry—his inspirations, his vision, and the message behind his latest work.
This is Kadrick—unfiltered, undeniable, and unforgettable.
49th: Hello, Kadrick. Can you please introduce yourself to our audience?
Kadrick: Greetings! Atop a stage, I go by the name “Kadrick,” but I was born Lans Ibrahim Conteh. At the very least, I am a rapper/singer/songwriter hailing from Freetown, Sierra Leone, but currently based in the US. Grateful to be able to chat today!
49th: Tell us a bit about your stage name. Is there a special story behind it?
Kadrick: It’s quite special to me! My parents brilliantly combined their names, Kadijatu and Patrick, intending for Kadrick to be my first name at birth. Unfortunately, 2 weeks before I was born, my grandfather passed. My parents decided to rename me in honour of my grandfathers instead, pushing Kadrick aside. Upon learning this, it felt like circumstance had tried to rob me of my identity, so it was only right I reclaimed it.
49th: When exactly did you discover your talent and decide to pursue a career in music?
Kadrick: Some things are kind of innate. I see it more as I unearthed a curiosity rather than a talent, you know? I’ve always been a good listener. As a kid, I heard things quite colourfully, which made listening to music such an ethereal experience. I loved the worlds of sound I could play around in, and I was always curious about how music made me feel, so growing up, I spent a lot of years in school choirs, clubs, bands, church, and really any place one could express themselves ever so passionately. I decided to explore music more seriously a few years ago when I understood how much the quality of my life relied on me expressing myself.
49th: How has growing up in Sierra Leone impacted your music journey? Are there any direct influences from your childhood in your music?
Kadrick: Oh, certainly! It doesn’t matter the time of day or what part you go, I bet there’s always music playing in the background somewhere in Sierra Leone. We’re a small country, but we can make noise and be very lively. Because of this, I’ve grown up feeling comfortable making music and/or noise myself. I mentioned a few of the various spaces I was involved in, like church or music clubs where I would learn the fundamentals but more importantly, these spaces in Salone introduced me to the people and concepts that would elevate my curiosity and passion for music.
49th: Your music is a unique blend of rap, afro-fusion, and amapiano. How do you decide on the songs you choose to put out with such versatility?
Kadrick: As a vessel of creation, most of what I bring to life mirrors how I understand the world. Sometimes, what the moment requires is reflection and introspection to be able to chase clarity and wrestle with all the chatter. Other moments could be the opposite – where you need to restrict the voices in your head and trust the feeling in your gut instead.
My music expresses various themes, and to do that effectively, I have learned that it’s important to employ different vehicles to drive your point home. I don’t choose the approach, the truth of the moment elicits my style and my own has just been to have fun and enjoy it which may be why I do a blend of things.
49th: What artists would you say inspire you and your sound at this stage of your journey? Do you have any dream collabs?
Kadrick: There are a few artists right now I would say are really inspiring fasho’. Dudes like SDC, Obongjayar, and Boj, for example, are ones that inspire creativity so much because of how well they can pull together so many different themes on one record and make it sound so smooth all the while. I would definitely sell my left kidney for that SDC feature (laughs); that’s a dream waiting to come true!
49th: Your new single ‘John Obey’ is such good music. Is there a message you aim to convey through this song?
Kadrick: Thank you! Yes, there’s one message, a simple one – choose love! John Obey is about choosing love and holding on to it for hope. The song is an ode to the beach and the joy of so many experiences there with people that I love forever.
I shared that when I dropped the song, the idea for it came at a point when I was really homesick and mentally checked out from life in the US. I couldn’t just get up and leave, so the next best thing was being able to go back to the memories of love from past moments on John Obey beach, and instead of choosing gloom and depression, my spirit was strengthened by love and optimism.
49th: The visual is fantastic as well. How did you coin the idea and bring it to life? Take us through the creative process for that.
Kadrick: Oh, that’s not an official music video; it’s just a simple visualizer I wanted to do. The melody evokes an aloof, carefree, and blissful vibe that I wanted to make a bit more palpable for my audience. I’m not much of a dancer, and I’m sure from looking at that snippet video, you could tell, but the point was ‘to be’ despite the limitation. I wanted to show that it’s okay to ugly-dance to a song that you like. You have to love yourself enough for this. So those clips were just an attempt to lead by example and exemplify the freedom the music brings.
49th: Let’s talk about the Ogygia EP. What does this project mean to you?
Kadrick: It means the start of something new. I was really locked in on hip-hop and rap, but that’s only one facet of Kadrick. The OGYGIA EP was a chance to introduce the world to a different side of me through Afrobeats. I love the project so much because it allowed for such a fun and aligned introduction. I donned an air of lightness while working on those songs, and that always seems like the best reward for me.
49th: If you weren’t in music, what do you think you’d have had a successful career in? Would it still be something music-related?
Kadrick: Not to go all Philippians 4:13, but I feel like I’d be blessed in whatever career I found myself in, honestly. If I didn’t make music, I think I would’ve enjoyed being an A&R. As I mentioned earlier, I have a good ear, which is critical in that role, and I’m also good at puzzles (laughs), another crucial bit as A&Rs need to know not just what sounds good, but how and where it connects! I do have a successful budding career in other industries outside of music. I even make that part of me a character in my music – he’s #KorporateKad!
49th: What’s next for Magic Kadrick? What can we expect in the coming months and the rest of 2025?
Kadrick: More characters, more music, and greater exploits! I’m growing more comfortable putting my truest self on the records I make, and as this ease-to-release grows, I’m aiming to connect more with this creative journey of life. By God’s grace, I plan on dropping a couple more bodies of work that will guarantee me a place in your heart this year, as well as hosting a few live events that my Village can come out to and kick it with me. It’s been too long since we did that, so expect something this year!
49th: Any closing words for your fans and our audience?
Kadrick: Take a minute and stream John Obey right now! When you do, I hope you can allow yourself a moment to be present. Let the beautiful melodies of John Obey wash away whatever may have stained your day. Give yourself the permission and love to ugly-dance and groove for a couple minutes, you may just find that things are better than you feared.
