There are artists who chase trends, and then there are architects of sound who build entire worlds from philosophy, rhythm and lived truth. Jah-Femi Telewa belongs firmly in the latter category. As Founder and CEO of Jah-Femi Entertainment LTD, the London-based polymath has long operated at a rare intersection where poetry collides with orchestration, where hip hop becomes philosophical inquiry, and where faith, survival and intellect fuse into compelling sonic narratives.
A multiple award-winning poet, rapper, composer and creator, Jah-Femi Telewa has accumulated Gold, Platinum, Bronze, Highly Commended and Commended honors across poetry, hip hop, spoken word, instrumental composition, animation and computer-generated music. That breadth of recognition is not incidental. It speaks to a mind that refuses limitation. His return to the indie radio scene with three striking releases, ‘Oooh Child’, ‘Mad Fox’ featuring Femolala & Lone Wolf, and ‘Whats Poppin???’, is less a comeback than a reaffirmation of creative authority.
‘Oooh Child’ opens like a confessional set against a throbbing beat and warm keys that immediately evoke both tension and sanctuary. The production feels intimate, almost like a heartbeat beneath the surface, as if the music itself understands the fragility of the story being told. Jah-Femi’s opening verse places us inside the psyche of a man who has seen enough of the streets to understand their codes and consequences. There is no glorification here. When he references the pursuit of street credibility and the proximity to violence, it is observational rather than aspirational. He draws a clear line between the cycle of “live by, die by” and his own chosen path, one aligned with divine guidance.
The brilliance of the lyricism lies in its duality. On one hand, he acknowledges distraction, lapses in concentration, and the pull of chaos. On the other, he asserts allegiance to something higher. “I roll with the Lord” is not delivered as a cliché but as a survival strategy. Faith becomes armor. Angels are not abstract figures but part of his crew, woven into everyday life as guardians against self-destruction.
The emotional gravity of the track is lifted by the soulful RnB duet that answers his verses with tenderness. The female vocal presence acts as both confidante and stabilizer, affirming understanding of the “crazy places” he has been. The chorus, repeating the titular phrase, becomes an incantation of reassurance. It is less about naïve optimism and more about steadfast support. The song’s power lies in that interplay: gritty realism tempered by compassion. ‘Oooh Child’ is a survival anthem, yes, but it is also a meditation on accountability and grace.
If that track reveals vulnerability, ‘Mad Fox’ sharpens the blade. Built on a slow-burning beat layered with smooth brass, warm keys and delicate scratching interludes, the song unfolds with calculated menace. The title alone suggests cunning and unpredictability, and Jah-Femi leans into that persona with lyrical precision. His delivery is taut, every syllable measured, as though he is aware that power is often found in restraint.
The lush chorus introduces a haunting elegance that contrasts the grit of the verses. The female voice floats above the darkness, creating a tension that gives the record enormous replay value. Femolala on the second verse and Lone Wolf on the third verse inject more urban texture and raw edge, alongside Jah-Femi’s performance on the first and fourth verses amplifying, the track’s sense of danger and loyalty. Together, the trio crafts a narrative that feels cinematic. The fox becomes metaphor, a symbol of intelligence in hostile terrain, of survival through wit rather than brute force.
Faith and consciousness again underpins the bravado. Even within the shadowy atmosphere, there is a moral axis. Jah-Femi does not glorify chaos; he navigates it. The scratching interludes feel like echoes of old-school hip hop tradition, grounding the track in cultural authenticity while the brass flourishes elevate it to something almost orchestral. It is dark, yes, but never directionless. Every bar is placed with intention.
Then comes ‘Whats Poppin???’, a track that pivots from introspection to confrontation. Skittering percussion and atmospheric synths create a restless soundscape, mirroring the urgency of the lyrics. The repeated hook questions authenticity in a world saturated with noise. “What’s poppin” becomes both a greeting and a challenge. Are you truly building something, or are you merely posturing?
Jah-Femi’s declaration that he is “writing bullets” reframes lyricism as weaponry. Not violence for its own sake, but words as ammunition against mediocrity and complacency. He positions his art as movement rather than entertainment, insisting that creative fire must be used before it dims. The metaphor of tides rolling and days breaking suggests cycles of renewal, while references to rising from a lonely tomb evoke resurrection imagery. There is a constant push and pull between isolation and rebirth.
Perhaps the most poignant moments arrive in his reflections on emotion. He speaks of bottling pain, of hugging his own heart to contain feelings that might otherwise overwhelm him. The line likening life to a plane searching for its lane distills the universal struggle for direction into a simple but effective image. Even as he calls out those who “front,” there is an undercurrent of self-examination. He is not just critiquing others; he is measuring himself against the same standard.
What binds these three releases together is cohesion of purpose. Jah-Femi Telewa is not merely dropping singles; he is articulating a philosophy. Faith, authenticity, resilience and self-awareness form the pillars of his artistic identity. His background in poetry and orchestral composition is evident in the structural care of each track. The beats are not accidental. The melodies are not decorative. Every sonic choice supports the narrative arc.
At a time when much of the industry thrives on surface-level spectacle, Jah-Femi Telewa offers substance. His pen is sharp, his production immersive, and his vision unflinchingly personal. ‘Oooh Child’ comforts the wounded spirit, ‘Mad Fox’ arms the strategist, and ‘Whats Poppin???’ challenges the pretender. Together, they reaffirm an artist who understands that music can be both mirror and map, reflecting reality while guiding listeners toward something higher.
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