‘Kehlani’ is giving Belfast rapper Jordan Adetunji breakthrough success

The Belfast rapper’s latest tune has broken into the viral and mainstream charts.

Belfast-based rapper Jordan Adetunji has spent the last couple of years expanding his sonic repertoire and releases into hyperpop, punk, and jersey club, matched with high-grade visuals to accompany the songs.

Right now, Adetunji’s latest song, ‘Kehlani’ which was released in mid-May, is currently one of two Irish songs in the US Viral 50 on Spotify (the other is Song of the summer contender ‘The Spark’ by Kabin Crew).

‘Kehlani’ is of course, named after the American pop artist of the same name, and while being the titular artist, is namechecked alongside South African singer Tyla, and more as an avatar of lust on a song that has broken into the mainstream in recent weeks.

The tune’s appeal is its simple hypnotic repeating autotuned hook, one that feels tailor-made for Tik-Tok virality, and earworm potential.

The 24 year-old’s song has since been cosigned by Kehlani herself, and landed in the Billboard Top 100 this week with 8 million plus US streams.

The song has coincided with the release of Kehlani’s new album Crash, and Adetunji performed the song in London with her last week.

@jordanadetunji Big shout out to the queen @Kehlani for bringing me out at her album launch. CRASH (OUT NOW) Im forever greatful to this amazing woman! Show her that real respect. #jordanadetunji #kehlani #viral #viralsong #fyp #drill ♬ KEHLANI – Jordan Adetunji

Adetunji has since signed to 300 Entertainment in North America and Warner Records UK, as his track takes off further.

The song also has sped up and and slowed-down versions, and has over 30 million Spotify Streams, and 6.6 video views on Youtube, and hit top 3 in US Shazam Chart.

Niall Byrne

Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.

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