GoldenboyKilla, also known as GBK or Killa, is a Nigerian musician who mainly makes AfroFusion. Recently he’s been dabbling in Alternative/Rage rap, Dancehall, Disco, Amanpiano and Afropop. He continues experimenting with different sounds, stating that his creations depend on his feelings. Expressing how he feels through whatever genre fits best.
Killa grew up in Surulere and attended secondary school in Abuja. Then relocated to Washington DC to attend university. Although he doesn’t study anything creatively inclined, he has always adored art. Especially music. It’s what led him to fall in love with it and start creating his own.
For Killa, music gave him a sense of purpose. It has served as a constant crutch during low times while facilitating some of his happiest memories. Slowly, he began to fall in love with music and its ability to make people feel, to pick people up again and teach great life lessons like some of the ones he learnt. Therefore he wants to do the same for others, make music to inspire the same sense of purpose and euphoria, to provide support for those dreadful moments.
“It’s everything, it provides guidance sometimes, fills me with belief and provides comfort in tough spots. Fills me with energy and amplifies my happiness when I’m merry. It just sees me through life honestly. It’s my truest love.” – GoldenboyKilla, 2022.
Over time, Killa has used music to help himself reflect while intensifying his passion for his interests. He is very interested in astrology, community building and creating safe spaces for marginalized people. As a Gemini, Killa understands himself as someone who can connect with people while having an extreme appreciation for various interests and experiences. This range reflects a lot in the music that he makes.
During Covid, he went through a period of introspection and self-discovery. The prolonged moments alone forced him to finally address his flirtatious relationship with music. While digging through himself and his subconscious, he accepted that making music was what he desired more than anything. Consequently, he committed to using his gift of making connections with people to start his music career.
Killa describes his creative process as ‘nothing flashy.’ Although it differs from time to time, he often has his two favourite intoxicants ready for consumption, freeing him up to express himself. Sometimes he has one or two friends who also make music with him. Other times he is alone. During this process, he listens to music and plays various beats and melodies. He’ll freestyle for a while, then incorporate the freestyles and their bars into writing to his favourite melody. Other times he might already have lines he thought of randomly and wrote down, then flow off of those.
Furthermore, Killa makes music for different reasons. The message of his music depends on what he felt when creating the song. Sometimes Killa makes music simply for the fun of it. Occasionally he makes sultry, sensual music for people to get down and dirty with. Other times he makes music to encourage self-belief and motivation in his listeners. His main aim is to resonate with others, causing them to feel deeply, to feel alive.
Inspiration-wise, Killa thinks anyone who makes good music is an inspiration. He considers himself a fan due to his immense love of music. However, he’s also very competitive, so he hears something good? It cements a resolve to do even better. To name a few names, he’s inspired by Wizkid, PrettyBoyDO, Amaarae, Odunsi, Santi and Drake.
I imagine you’ve enjoyed getting to know Killa just as much as I have. Luckily, he just released his debut self-titled EP “KILLA.” The inspiration for the tape stems from the unpredictability and brutality that the last few years have had. Both for Killa and society at large. Including bursts of joy and depravity that he experienced while celebrating the victory of moving past that phase of his life. 2 years in the making, with 7 songs, various genres, and 2 features with two of his day 1’s. Killa is excited to finally share!
