From The Studio To The Spotlight With Kimilist

When you talk about Ghana’s freshest voices, Kimilist comes with heat, hunger and heavy ambition. From making waves back at KNUST to building a solid run with Mimlife Records, he’s taken his time, sharpened his sound and stayed authentic. Tracks like Confession and Peng Tin shows he’s not just chasing charts, he’s chasing legacy. As his new single Bad Boy drops, Solid Online Mag  caught up with him to talk about the journey, the vision and why the world is about to move to his sound.

Q. You came up in Kumasi and really made a mark at KNUST. What part of that journey still keeps you grounded?

A. what keeps me grounded is remembering where it all started , i still carry the lessons from the long nights , the grind , how supportive the people have been , they all remind me that no matter how far I go, I come from a place that values hard work, community, and staying authentic to your roots.

Q. What made you trust Mimlife Records, and how has that relationship shaped the way you move?

A. What made me trust Mimlife Records was the vision and the belief they had in me not just as an artist, but as a person with a story worth telling. From the first conversations, it wasn’t just about music; it was about legacy, direction, and staying true to who I am. They saw the bigger picture before the world did. i move with  intention and clarity,  I’ve learned to value structure without losing my creative edge . With Mimlife, it’s more than a label , it’s a family.

Q. What was the first moment you knew your name started carrying real weight?

A. I knew my name started carrying real weight after my song Sika was released ,people I didn’t know personally started referencing my work Whether it was fans singing word for word, or industry people speaking on moves I hadn’t even made public yet.

Q. From Pon Gidi to Confession to Peng Tin, which is my personal favorite.. your sound keeps evolving. What’s one thing that’s stayed the same about how you create?

A. whether it’s a street anthem, a party banger, or something smooth .I always make sure the music reflects where I am mentally and emotionally.  I create to connect, to tell stories, and to represent where I’m from and where I’m headed. The production may shift, the delivery might sharpen, but the heart behind it never changed.

Q.  A lot of people make songs. You make statements.When you step into the booth, are you trying to prove a point or just tell your truth?

A. I’m not walking into the booth to compete, I’m walking in to express and to put feeling into sound. I don’t force it  I live it, then I put it into music. Whether it’s pain, joy, hunger, or wins, every line comes from a real place. That’s why it resonates.

Q. That track with Black Sherif and Kwame Yesu is crazy. How did that link-up happen and what did it do for you as an artist?

That tune was special. The link up happened naturally because I’d been recording with Kwame Yesu for a minute and Black Sherif was already making waves .it just made sense. No egos, just vibes, purpose, and mad hunger

Q. Bad Boy is out and it’s hitting hard. What made you feel like it was time to drop it, and what kind of impact were you aiming to leave with this one?

A. Bad Boy had been living in me for a while. The timing felt right because I was in a space where I needed to remind people about myself , the culture  and a true original Ghanaian sound  which makes me connected to the my roots and it wasn’t just about chasing a sound but owning one . Bad boy is more than music it’s a movement now and everybody is starting tapping into it.

Q. You dropped Bad Boy Diaries last year. Is this next phase a continuation of that story or are you in a whole new space creatively?

A. I’m still that bad boy, but the perspective has shifted. More clarity, more intention, more layers. It’s not just a continuation it’s an elevation. Creatively, I’m in a new space experimenting more sounds that will keep resonating with the people .

Q. You’ve been nominated more than once at the Ghana Music Awards UK. Does stuff like that push you harder or do you not get carried away with it?

A. it’s definitely a blessing. I won’t lie, it feels good to see the work get recognized, especially on platforms outside home. But I don’t let it carry me away . It pushes me to keep leveling up, to stay consistent, to prove to myself that I’m growing. Awards are moments, but the mission is bigger. 

Q. Ghana’s rap scene is evolving fast. What rules are you intentionally breaking with your sound?

A. I’m not limiting myself to what rap is supposed to sound like. One day it’s trap, the next it’s highlife infused, or fully melodic and it’s still me. i’m not following a blueprint .i’m writing my own but staying original. 

Q. Outside music, what’s something you’re building that most people don’t know about yet?

A. Music opened the door, but I’m thinking long-term ownership, impact, and influence that outlives the trends. I don’t talk about it much, because I believe in moving in silence ‘til it’s time. But trust, when it lands, it’ll speak loud.

Q. Are you looking at touring across Africa anytime soon or featuring artists across the continent? We need your sound outside Ghana, places like Nigeria, South Africa are definitely ready for it.

A. Touring across Africa and connecting with artists across the continent isn’t just a goal it’s the next step. I know the sound is ready, and more importantly, the message is universal. Whether it’s Nigeria, South Africa, or beyond and also i love to explore for more inspiration .

Q. In five years, when people mention Kimilist, what do you want that name to represent because honestly, your sound feels global and people will definitely connect with it.

A. I want people to hear Kimilist and feel something original , energy, emotion. Not just music, but a movement . a brand that stayed true to its roots while reaching the world.

That’s a wrap with Kimilist,  an artist whose sound is sharp, fresh, and global. If you weren’t already locked in, now’s the time. Keep streaming, keep sharing, and watch this space, the spotlight just got brighter. That’s it for now, but the journey continues. Most importantly, remember to Stay Solid!

Ayo Fabiyi for Solid Guy Magazine.