25-year-old Queens, New York native Akinyemi’s take on hip hop reveals a fully self-actualized artist focused on his craft and asserting his independence. Dark and sinister beats serve as ambient backdrops to Akinyemi’s impassioned lyrics that explore his inner psyche and the pressures of growing up as a first-generation immigrant.
Today Akinyemi shares a new single “Selfish.” Produced by Huff (Two Feet) and Matt Marvin, who’s worked with Smokepurpp, Lil Tecca, and Jay Critch. Over glassy synths and 808 hi-hats, Akinyemi raps, “do not disturb, don’t pursue me on my phone,” proffering that sometimes the best form of self-care is being selfish. Fellow NYC-based artist Shane Garcia adds her vocal flair to the track’s hook and gives “Selfish” R&B flavor.
“I don’t feel like being selfish is a bad thing, especially these days,” Akinyemi shares about the track. “We finally got a reason to look inward and I’m just pinpointing the areas in my life that I’d prefer to keep for myself. We ought to live freely for ourselves more. Being selfish and caring for ourselves gives space for reflection which then allows us to be selfless or ‘selfish for others.’ I hope more people take a moment for themselves after they hear this record.”
Shane Garcia adds: “’Selfish’ has a dual meaning, many find it has a negative connotation. The song expresses the duality of selfishness, one person handling it in the most toxic way, and the other using it to utilize healthy boundaries.“
“Selfish” comes off Akinyemi’s forthcoming debut album “Reborn .” The 13-track record explores his internal struggle to maintain the culture and values of his Nigerian heritage while also immersing himself in the NYC ethos. The result is a story uniquely his own.