Marllie, an LA-based Nigerian artist, is sharing his latest single “Kick Back.” The song features budding Lagos favorite YKB and Preezie J, a frequent collaborator of Marllie’s. Together, the trio serenades a love interest, utilizing their distinct vocal deliveries to spice this affectionate number. Backed by a lively pop beat, YKB, who’s formerly known as Yusufkanbai , begins the record, lovingly crooning “Kickback, baby at the kickback” on the chorus. Preezie’s comes on the latter side and with infectious energy, colors in more detail about this woman who’s captivated them.
Marllie’s recollection of a night out turns wild quickly, his narrative oozing of his Naija-Yankee swagger. While it evokes the atmosphere of open air parties, “Kickback” still finds Marllie making strong lyrical proclamations, going from lover to shooter within the space of a bar. “I’m shooting my shots without even pulling triggers\ but if the niggas come I’m ready to take a shot on them,” he raps with deathly precision. Marllie was born in Lagos in 1997, though he moved to Los Angeles after his high school education.
While in high school, he’d relinquished his childhood dream of becoming a pilot, rather experimenting with music along with a group of similarly enthusiastic friends. As he’s revealed in previous interviews, Marllie’s love for music stretches back to when he was a 12-year-old who’d rap on gospel songs. An independent artist, his songs are inspired by this multicultural history, a truly unique cocktail of genres that include Hip Hop, Afro Pop and Highlife.
Off his collaborative energy, Marllie has been inching towards mainstream acclaim. This year, he’s gotten a rare cosign from the legendary M.I. Abaga. He also opened for Rema during the LA show of his American tour, performing side by side with the titanic musician. Again, at his American hometown, he hit the stage of the Amplified Africa Annual celebration, billed alongside Phyno. “Kickback” is the latest offering from the promising act, one who continues to create music that buys into the melodic structures of the biggest pop acts while staying true to his influences and story. The product is “Kickback,” a record whose potential strikes out from its early seconds, and whose brilliance is sustained by Marllie and his features. Surely they understand the assignment.
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