Soul Over Hype: Poloko NB’s push to heal through Hip-Hop

“To a new listener I would describe my music as a breath of fresh air,” he says, “a chance to experience what it sounds like when someone becomes freely creative with their music.” That creativity did not arrive by accident. Hip-hop first gripped him, then two artists sealed the deal. “I was truly inspired by Nasty C and NF,” Poloko explains. “They served as a catalyst to me making the decision to rap because I looked at them and said, ‘I want to impact someone’s life just like that.’” Sound wise he also draws from Dramaboi, SketchThaHoodie and Osta Tyger, yet he insists the real difference is soul.

“I really try to add soul to the songs I write. I don’t want it to be just another song. I want for at least one person to come back to it and say it made an impact in their day to day.” The road has been uneven. Money remains the constant obstacle.