Ghana’s musical powerhouse, KJ Spio has linked up with Tanzanian Bongo star Harmonize and Jamaican Dancehall icon Konshens to drop ‘Messi’ – an infectious anthem and ultimate party starter. The new single blends the unique styles of global superstars with genre-defying beats and catchy lyrics. With a message centered on staying focused on your own path and steering clear of unnecessary drama, ‘Messi’ is set to captivate music lovers across the continent.
Produced by Grammy-award winning Jamaican-born producer IzyBeats [known for his work with Jorja Smith, Rema, Koffee, Masego, Alicia Keys etc], ‘Messi’ opens with a captivating percussive instrumental that seamlessly blends Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano. Taking turns to glaze the beat with their buttery vocals, both Konshens and Harmonize unite for a wheel-up worthy anthem perfectly gliding over the beat.
The brand-new music video complements the groovy nature of the song. Directed by Lux London (known for his work with Tems, Central Cee and Ice Spice) and filmed in Toronto, Canada, the video follows the trio through a high-energy poker game that quickly evolves into a lively house party, mirroring the song’s spirited vibe. The visuals capture the undeniable chemistry between KJ Spio, Harmonize and Konshens, bringing their collaboration to life in a fun way. Reflecting on the project, KJ Spio shares, “I am a big fan of Konshens, and after working with Harmonize before, I knew that together we could create magic. So, I reached out, and the rest is history.”
KJ Spio reveals the back story of the collaboration, “Messi is a song that blends the biggest sounds in black music right now – Afrobeats, Dancehall and Amapiano. It is a fusion to pay homage to all those sounds and also music that has influenced us all,” adding, “I am all about creating a vibe that helps people have fun and enjoy themselves, whether they’re at a party or somewhere more intimate.”
Harmonize shares his excitement about working with KJ Spio and Konshens, saying “This track is a fusion of the trending music genres at their best. Music is universal, transcending genres, borders and continents. We all really had good synergy while collaborating so it was a very seamless process,” adding, “Expect loads of new music vibes from me and an upcoming joint project that I am very excited about. Harmo to the world!”
Konshens says, “Working with Harmonize and KJ Spio was effortless, we had a great time writing this cheeky tune and also shooting the video. I love music and sounds from the continent and the fact that our collaboration cuts across genres. I hope our fans get to enjoy the song and dance away as we come to the close of 2024,” adding, “I’ve been working on a solo project that is set to drop next year. It will be dancehall heavy and featuring other cool artists and sounds.”
KJ Spio is continuing to solidify his one-to-watch status with the latest track that follows a string of unrivalled releases with Sarkodie, Ambré, Oxlade, Harmonize and Libianca. His music has gained attention from platforms such as COLORS, Ones to Watch and Ministry of Sound. With his eyes set on working with emerging African talents like Lasmid, Vasa, and Kojo Blak, KJ Spio continues to break new ground, pushing the boundaries of cross-cultural collaborations and expanding his influence across the global music scene.
