South London poet, model, and now musician Kai, aka kissin’ teef, makes a compelling debut with impatiently waiting, released via foundation.fm records.
The EP is a reflection on racial tension, cultural pride, and growing up in working-class South London, told through a blend of poetic grit and homegrown genre influence. Drawing from UK rap, grime, funky, and garage, Kai transforms delicate poetry into intricate verses laced with slang and layered over genre-blurring beats.
The opening track "JUNGLE" begins with the iconic Noel Gallagher one-liner: “this is England.” It’s a bold introduction that drops us straight into kissin’ teef’s world. A swinging hip-hop rhythm anchors the track, while Kai's sharp vocal delivery is laced with British ad-libs. It's personal yet playful; raw, honest, and the perfect entry point into the EP.
"COSTAFORTUNE" strips things back, giving space for Kai’s vocals to shine. A minimal hip-hop beat and chopped vocal samples sit beneath a syncopated performance that declares: “I speak this shit cos it feels so grounding.” Lyrically rich but sonically restrained, it's a warm, intimate moment that highlights Kai’s control and depth as a writer.
The closer, "GQ", is arguably the standout. There's a gentle nostalgia in the melody, with pitched-up vocal chops floating above smooth, jazz-inflected production. The track morphs fluidly, from bare acapella bars to swung lo-fi rhythms and back again, taking the listener on a journey of emotional highs and lows.
impatiently waiting is a bold and thoughtful debut, cementing kissin’ teef as one of South London’s most exciting new voices. We’ll be impatiently waiting for what’s next.
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