Kojo Blak’s 131 EP is proof that he is more than ready for a debut album. With smooth vocals and genre-bending sounds, this EP serves as the perfect teaser for what’s next.
Back in May 2021, McDonald Braide—better known by his stage name, Kojo Blak—was officially outdoored by Ghanaian indie label Jadon Shatta Entertainment. With his signing, he joined the ever-growing roster of Afrobeats acts rocking some variation of the word “Black” in their names. At this point, it’s almost a rite of passage—if your name doesn’t sound like a stylish Instagram handle, are you even an Afrobeats artist? It’s the new wave: drop a vowel, add some mystery, and voilà—instant star appeal.
Armed with more than just star appeal, Kojo Blak came with a big dream—and the talent to match. His music strikes a fine balance: polished yet soulful, melodically rich yet accessible. It’s the kind of sound that’s easy on the ear but deep enough to pull listeners into a world of layered harmonies and rhythmic finesse.
Even after signing with a label, Kojo Blak didn’t ease up—he kept feeding the streets with a steady stream of freestyles, covers, and official drops. One of those moments came in 2023 when he jumped on Victony’s #JagajagaStory challenge. His entry quickly went viral, making waves not just in Ghana but also across Nigeria. The performance didn’t just impress—it clinched him the top spot as the overall winner of the challenge.
In May 2024, Kojo Blak dropped his EP 757, a title he described in an interview as both a flight number and a metaphor for the highs and lows of his musical journey—turbulence, takeoff, and all. The project explored themes of struggle, growth, and love, with standout tracks like Abena, Union, and Shutdown offering a taste of his evolving sound. Later that year, he dropped Rugged 2.0 with fellow fast-rising Ghanaian act OliveTheBoy, a release that outshone any single from the aforementioned EP, both in impact and reception.
But funny enough, his biggest move that year wasn’t even from behind the mic—it was behind the scenes. Kojo ghostwrote Lomo Lomo for KiDi featuring Black Sherif, a viral smash that dominated charts and TikTok timelines across Ghana and beyond. It was a quiet flex with loud results—and likely the moment he realized his pen wasn’t just sharp, it was hit-making sharp. So it came as no surprise when, riding that newfound confidence, he closed out the year with a bang—dropping Excellent featuring Kelvyn Boy, his biggest solo hit yet.
With the recent release of his EP 131, Kojo Blak continues to impress, showcasing just how far he’s come in such a short span. It’s a testament to his evolution—both sonically and artistically—and a reminder that to not know Kojo Blak is to miss out on a truly immersive musical experience. 131 is a smooth convoy of soulful tracks, each one mapping out his growth with honesty and flair. The project leans into his realness, blending Afrobeats, highlife, and subtle R&B influences into a sound that feels both grounded and elevated. It’s Kojo at his most confident!
The EP opens with Intro (Rulling 3), a continuation to his Rulling series. The intro is Kojo Blak at his most reflective — the singer over mid-tempo sound touches base with a number of things — music being his heartbeat literally, his journey through life, his unleashed confidence.
Keeping in sync with the intro, Touching Base has Kojo Blak on a roll—still in his reflective bag, but now with a harder-hitting anthem of ambition. He adds extra elixir to the musical potion by instilling confidence in himself, saying, “them be think say dem be boss oh, but I game dem like PlayStation.”
Excellent featuring Kelvyn Boy highlights the smooth, soothing quality of Kojo Blak’s sound—even as he leans confidently into pop influences. It’s a track that balances vibe and vocals effortlessly, showing that commercial appeal and artistic finesse aren’t mutually exclusive in his world. Kelvyn Boy, a vocal monster in his own right, matches Kojo note for note, delivering a verse just as beautiful and textured. Together, they elevate the track into something even sweeter—an irresistible blend of soul and swagger.
On Behind featuring Joshua Baraka, Kojo Blak sets the tone with sultry, Spanish-style guitar strings that create the perfect backdrop for his seductive crooning. But it’s Joshua Baraka’s velvet-smooth vocals that ground the track, pulling listeners deeper into the song’s melodic embrace. Together, they craft a sensual, emotionally rich moment that lingers long after the final note.
The sensuality continues on Down, where Kojo Blak dives into romantic reflection. There’s a subtle brooding in his tone, as if he’s journaling his thoughts in real time—using the track to reassure a love interest of his devotion. It’s intimate, heartfelt, and layered with the kind of vulnerability that gives the EP its emotional weight.
From singing about willingness to commit, Kojo Blak takes a detour into subtle melancholy with Small Thing —while structurally simple, the profundity lies in the lyrics when he expresses surprise at how finding a companion can be hard.
The mood lightens with S.O.H, an electro-infused banger calibrated squarely for the dance floor. Here, Kojo Blak trades lyrical flexing for pure vibe—letting the beat do most of the talking. With electronic pop influences pulsing through, it’s less about penmanship and more about movement—a bold, energetic detour that keeps the EP dynamic.
Adding another layer to the EP’s depth, Kojo Blak enlists Ghana’s finest, Sarkodie, on Next Door. The result is a soulful, innuendo-laden bop where Kojo’s smooth crooning meets Sarkodie’s razor-sharp Twi bars in perfect harmony. Sarkodie brings his signature full-throttle energy, delivering a verse that punches through the mellow vibe, giving the track both edge and allure.
Closing the EP, Over Do takes on a softer, soulful approach to romance. Kojo Blak’s voice is more delicate here, settling comfortably into the slippery, soulful beat.
Kojo Blak’s 131 EP is a seamless blend of harmonies and genre-bending sounds, revealing an artist who isn’t trying to do too much—but is doing just enough to make it count. While the project feels effortless on the surface, the care and intention behind every track are undeniable. It’s a well-crafted body of work that not only highlights his growth but also signals that Kojo Blak is more than ready to take on a full-length album.
