Neo 21 breaks boundaries with new EP

In an era where Afrobeats dominates global airwaves, few artists dare to experiment beyond its familiar rhythms. Neo 21, the Nigerian-born, UK-based artist, does exactly that with The Teriqus EP—a debut that feels both intimate and revolutionary. The project is a masterclass in musical hybridity, weaving Afrobeats’ warmth with the grit of UK hip-hop and the introspection of melodic rap. But beyond genre-bending, Neo 21’s work radiates a sense of purpose.

At its core, The Teriqus EP is an ode to resilience, ambition, and cultural pride—values that the artist describes as “pillars” of both his personal and artistic journey. “I wanted to leave people with a message and something to hold on to,” he explains. That sincerity translates beautifully into the music: each track feels like a conversation between his past in Nigeria and his present in the UK, grounded in growth and a relentless pursuit of authenticity.

His soundscape—rich yet raw—signals a refreshing evolution within Afrofusion. Neo 21 believes many creatives have been “playing it safe” within the genre, and The Teriqus EP stands as his counterargument. He toys with crossovers, exploring Afrobeats themes through hip-hop cadences and vice versa.

The result is a fluid and fearless sound that pushes boundaries without losing its cultural soul. As he puts it, “The possibilities from this cross-pollination of genres are truly limitless.”

One standout track, “The Smoke,” captures this spirit perfectly. It’s the kind of song that asserts both vulnerability and confidence—an anthem for self-belief forged through creative struggle. With over 100,000 YouTube views, it’s also his most visible triumph to date. Yet Neo 21 remains grounded. “The track was an ode to those records that never made it out,” he says. “Giving my best at every attempt, regardless of what the circumstances are.” The success of “The Smoke” hasn’t changed his approach—if anything, it reinforces his conviction that artists should lead, not follow. “People don’t necessarily know what they want,” he adds. “It’s your responsibility as a creative to show it to them.”

The other tracks condenses the EP’s emotional and strategic thrust into three distinct moves: the woozy, highlife-leaning single “Enthralled” opens up the record’s heart, an accessible Afrobeats-R&B hybrid that balances romantic vulnerability with the practical hustle of the verse, giving the project crossover warmth without sacrificing lyrical heft; “Timely” slows the pulse into a measured, guitar-led meditation on patience and craft, where sparse production foregrounds Neo 21’s cadence and makes the EP’s theme of long-term grind feel lived and convincing; and “Not Nice” closes with blunt-force clarity, an uptempo hip-hop statement that channels frustration at gatekeeping into controlled swagger and tactical rebuttal. Together, these tracks demonstrate a purposeful range, romantic, reflective, combative, anchored in Neo 21’s diasporic identity and independent ethos. The sequencing exposes an artist who understands pacing, audience, and narrative: songs built to work as singles, set pieces, and live moments, while still cohering into a concise artistic statement about resilience, ambition, and self-definition.

Beyond the studio, Neo 21’s stage presence has already become a signature part of his artistry. From electrifying sets at BD Festival and the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA) to sharing the stage with Nigerian legend 2Baba, his performances are charged with passion and intent. “When I’m on stage, I perform like it’s my last show ever,” he says. That intensity is contagious—his energy feeds the crowd, turning every show into a communal experience rather than a mere performance.

Neo 21’s artistry is also deeply tied to place. Nigeria, he says, taught him resilience; the UK gave him perspective. In the duality of those worlds, he finds his creative voice. “Here, I understood that people bottle up a lot of emotions and stories are left untold,” he reflects. “That’s what being an artist is—being a mouthpiece for the people and the times around you.”

With The Teriqus EP, Neo 21 doesn’t just introduce himself—he redefines what Afrofusion can be. His music isn’t just heard; it’s felt—a bridge between continents, emotions, and generations, reminding listeners that evolution begins where comfort ends.