There’s a new wave rising from West Africa, and it hits differently. On May 16, 2025, UK-based music manager and culture shaper KJ Spio returns to the scene with his first release of the year: “Emiko,” a hypnotic, soul-infused summer anthem featuring none other than Nigerian hitmaker Oxlade. The track, produced by Afrobeat architect Blaise Beatz (known for sonic magic with Wizkid, Chris Brown, Davido, and Asake), is more than just music—it’s a movement.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just your typical music video drop. The visuals for Emiko unfold like a cinematic tribute to heritage, healing, and power—filmed at the hauntingly historic Cape Coast Castle, a site etched into the painful memory of the transatlantic slave trade. And at the heart of this visual experience? A bold fashion statement that turns heads and starts conversations.
But here’s the twist: it’s not just your typical music video drop. The visuals for Emiko unfold like a cinematic tribute to heritage, healing, and power—filmed at the hauntingly historic Cape Coast Castle, a site etched into the painful memory of the transatlantic slave trade. And at the heart of this visual experience? A bold fashion statement that turns heads and starts conversations.
IMPARI, the Berlin-based label fusing social fashion, sustainability, and innovation, provides the full wardrobe for the Emiko video. Their latest capsule, ONT_KOP, is worn exclusively by all talents and models, elevating the narrative into something both divine and defiant. Think: goddess-like Ghanaian women styled in flowing silhouettes, earthy tones, and spiritual prints that feel both ancestral and futuristic.
THE IMPARI COLLECTION
The collection blurs the line between art and armor—each piece a manifesto for balance between humanity and nature. It’s fashion as message, as memory, as monument.
While Oxlade’s silk-smooth vocals cascade over the beat like ocean mist, the camera pans over regal figures dressed like modern deities—architects of their own world. From embroidered crochet skirts to floating cotton overshirts and sustainable accessories, the styling completes the story: rooted in the soil, reaching for the stars.
And if that wasn’t enough heat, The Compozers—the UK-Ghanaian live band shaking up arenas from Brixton to Wembley—drop in with their signature blend of Afrobeats, R&B, and global grooves.
Charles, Nana Pokes, Stephen, and David, once just friends with big dreams, now tour with the likes of Davido, Tiwa Savage, and J Hus. Their presence on Emiko adds another layer of emotion—one of brotherhood, rhythm, and unbreakable cultural pride.
But at the center of it all is the message. Emiko is about faith. About overcoming noise and negativity. About trusting your voice, your rhythm, your purpose—with the quiet belief that with God, all things are possible.
This isn’t just a song. It’s a spiritual rebirth wrapped in sound, style, and sacred storytelling.
Images: © Elikem Aygabeng & Elory Salam
Text: Marco Kokkot
