‘Rising,’ a six-song EP by late Bristol rapper TKorSTRETCH (real name: Takayo Nembhard), was published in his honour by his family. It is the first of many projects to come from Nembhard in the year 2023. The decision to distribute his songs was explained in an emotional video made by his family.
In the months leading up to his untimely death in 2022 at the Notting Hill Carnival, 21-year-old TK was making a name for himself in the music industry with over a million streams and support from Kiss Fresh and 1Xtra, and he also had viral success with his ‘Clap’ video on tiktok, a catchy and positive release that name dropped plenty of sports personalities.
After making waves with his collaboration with Ghostface600 on ‘Cali Buds,’ TK went on to record such critically acclaimed albums as Ham, Vision, and the internet sensation Flamenco Dancing.
With a more uplifting sound than is often associated with Drill, TK’s flexibility is on full display on the EP Rising. This song also displays TK’s versatility by showcasing his ability to mix up his flow; in “Pedalling,” he uses a style that is reminiscent of classic rap.
TKorSTRETCH was headed in a promising direction, and he was actively shaping his musical future and honing his skills. With such a devastating death, we are fortunate to be able to enjoy his new songs and keep his name alive. He had a bright future ahead of him.
Stream the EP and check out the video for clap below.
