Lost Child splashes onto the scene with his debut EP, “Only Child.”
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SONG BY SONG BREAKDOWN
4. THOUGHTS FT. BAKHITA
“Thoughts” is the perfect follow up to “Pesa.”
On “Thoughts,” we are blessed with a spectacular beat that marries playful and dark elements really well. Singer-songwriter, Bakhita joins Lost Child on this track, and her airy vocals add a degree of complexity to the song.
Overall, the musicality you hear on “Thoughts” makes it abundantly clear that Lost Child and his collaborators understand production and know how to utilize it to reveal their innermost thoughts.
Something I deeply admire about Only Child is its commitment to including female voices in the conversation. It adds a layer of depth to Lost Child’s contemplations.
3. WE GETTING FT. DOPESTBANTU, LEMI & MUSH FROM THE BUSH
Featuring friends turned collaborators (Dopestbantu, Lemi & Mush from the Bush), “We Getting” is definitely for the boys.
The brotherhood element attached to “We Getting” is endearing, but the x-factor in the track is its experimentation with African and afro-rap sounds. It gives a fresh twist on the format mastered in “Pesa.”
Though the hook you hear on “We Getting” is not as strong as others on “Only Child,” the overall melody of the track is effective in rounding out the project.
2. PESA FT. STEPH
“Bad Feeling” may have been the setup, but “Pesa” comes in hot and flips the script.
The beat that powers “Pesa” is superb! It’s a perfect mix of playful and broad, giving you sounds you wanna hear in the shower, in the car, in the club, etc., etc. The harmonies in the hook transition perfectly into the verse, most notably at the beginning of the track.
Lost Child’s flow on “Pesa” dances with the beat. The two musical elements engage in a waltz that is so fun to listen to. Just when you think the song is heading towards its conclusion, in comes fellow Nairobi rapper Steph, upping the ante with a verse that showcases her signature attitude, clever lyricism, and vivacious flow. “Pesa” is hands down the breakout track on this EP.
1. BAD FEELING
A melodic introduction to this somewhat autobiographical project, “Bad Feeling” sets the tone for “Only Child.”
Bad Feeling’s soft instrumentals pair beautifully with Lost Child’s baritone register in a way that’s effortless, confident, and smooth. His confidence also shines through in his flow. (It’s paced and purposeful. He’s also not afraid of letting his bars stand alone in their truth). The pacing of this track is cleverly juxtaposed to its subject matter: the fast-paced nature of Nairobi.
“Bad Feeling” is dark and dope, and shows that Lost Child knows there’s strength in vulnerability.
SONG BY SONG RATING
1. PESA FT. STEPH (4.5/5)
2. THOUGHTS FT. BAKHITA (4/5)
3. BAD FEELING (5/5)
4. WE GETTING FT. DOPESTBANTU, LEMI & MUSH FROM THE BUSH (4/5)
OVERALL RATING
(B+)
The Nairobi music scene is jam-packed with multi-talented creatives whose art captures both the richness of the Kenyan tradition and the deeply desired evolution the East African nation now finds itself in. Nairobi-based rapper/producer Lost Child personalizes the complexities of holding both the richness of the past and the fast-paced evolution of the present in his freshman EP, “Only Child”. A love letter to his city, his loved ones, and most importantly, himself, Lost Child leans into his vulnerable bag. His candor bleeds through his music in a way that is both relatable and inspiring.
