Song Review: King Whalay’s “TWIMC” – The Prophet Voice in a Party Crowd

Sept 17, 2021

By Yinka Olatunbosun

When I first saw King Whalay perform in December 2019 at The Intern Party, I knew right away there was something different about him. The night was alive with music and chatter. Students filled the outdoor space, some dancing, some laughing, everyone in the mood to celebrate the end of the year. Then he walked up to the mic, quiet and composed, and suddenly the atmosphere began to shift. He was not there to hype the crowd. He was there to say something real.

The song was called “TWIMC” (To Whom It May Concern). The first few words came out like a sermon and a poem combined, spoken over a beat that carried weight but never rushed him. It felt like someone had opened a window and let truth into the noise. He spoke about the things most people shy away from: corruption, moral decay, hypocrisy in leadership and religion, and the silence of citizens who had grown too used to it all. He did not exclude anyone. He called out the leaders, the followers, the preachers, the students, the youth, the elders, the couples, and the dreamers. It was uncomfortable, but it was needed.

That night, while others came to dance, King Whalay stood like a Prophet among his peers, using rhythm and words to remind people that music can still carry meaning. It was a daring thing to do at a party full of carefree students. Yet somehow, people listened. You could feel it.

He also performed another track that evening titled “Unloved”, an Afro-Trap song that carried emotion and grit in equal measure. It was the perfect contrast, where TWIMC confronted the conscience, Unloved reached for the heart. Together, they painted a picture of an artist with range and purpose, someone who could move between social commentary and personal storytelling without losing his balance.

A few weeks later, in January 2020, I saw him again at League of the Xtraordinaries. His stage presence had grown even stronger. After his set, I decided to speak to him. During our short conversation, he mentioned that TWIMC was part of an EP released under his label, 5050 Records, titled “Half of Hundred and Twice.” It had been released on June 19, 2019, quietly but confidently. That night, I made a note to find it.

When I finally did, it made sense. The EP featured several artists and DJs under 5050 Records, each contributing their own sound. But TWIMC, featuring Olamide David as well, stood out immediately. It was raw, honest, and deliberate. It did not sound like a debut or an experiment; it sounded like someone who already knew what he wanted to say.

The production was tight, and the lyrics carried both anger and hope. You could tell it was written by someone who had seen enough to want change. It called for responsibility from everyone, from the government to everyday people. It was refreshing to hear that kind of bravery from a young artist still at the university.

If I were to rate it, TWIMC gets a solid 8 out of 10. It was not perfect, but it was powerful. It introduced an artist who refused to follow the crowd, an artist more interested in impact than applause. In an outdoor party filled with carefree youth, King Whalay chose to speak truth instead of seeking cheers. He performed like a messenger, not a celebrity.

TWIMC was not made to make you dance; it was made to make you think. And in times like these, that kind of music matters more than ever.