Singer T Solo says creating music brings him the most happiness, and his new five-track project, THAT ’99 KID, is an attempt to restore the soul, substance and storytelling he feels the genre has lost. The project blends R&B with Afrobeats.
From boarding school to the studio#
Born in 1999, T Solo grew up watching Music Africa, a music channel that broadcasts continuously, after school, and listening to Michael Jackson CDs at home. He describes himself as reserved, laid back and fond of his own space.
He never planned a career in music. He began singing at college, and after leaving school he found he could not set it aside. “I later realised it was a huge part of me, and so I continued,” he said.
A first performance he would rather forget#
T Solo’s first performance was at a Hall Week event. He asked to perform, and the stage was a cooking competition area with a small audience. He said the song was not strong and that the warm encouragement he received afterwards confirmed the set had gone badly. He says he performed better the next time.
The making of THAT ’99 KID#
The project is a five-track release that blends R&B with Afrobeats. Key details include:
- Tracks: five
- Producer: Dsho, described by T Solo as his producer, brother and friend
- Opening track: “Fefe Ne Fe (Twice Fine),” which samples “Fefe Ne Fe” by Tony Tetuila
- Focus track: “Good Girls”
T Solo says he wanted to recreate the feel of older records while keeping a modern sound. He described the process as challenging. “It’s authentic to me, and I’m proud of myself for doing this,” he said.
He says he was tired of making music that sounded familiar and wanted something new. He acknowledges that the approach carried risk but says it felt right for him.
The track “LTR to My Ex,” featuring Fimi, is the most personal song on the project. T Solo wrote it while going through the end of a relationship.
He chose “Fefe Ne Fe (Twice Fine)” as the opener because it gives listeners a sound they already recognise. He says the title refers to a song that “appreciates the beauty of women.”
Early support#
T Solo credits his mother, who paid for his first studio session, including the beat. He calls her his biggest investor.
The project has also drawn attention from industry figures. T Solo named Bizzle Osikoya and DJ Neptune, who engaged with some of his content.
