tLma is on the rise and has shared some introspective melodies in his latest EP, Kontrolla X Prettysmile.
Nigerian rising artiste, tLma steps into his most introspective territory yet with his latest EP, Kontrolla X Prettysmile, that blends genres as much as it tests emotional limits.
He goes deep into his heart with this project, one which turns love, longing, and the untold struggles of young adulthood into melodies that linger long after the beat stops.
The project drops January 24, 2025, but its impact feels primed to ripple far beyond that.
This is a diary cracked open with the ink still fresh. Written during his final year in school, Kontrolla X Prettysmile is as much about a girl as it is about growth. It’s the kind of storytelling that grips you because it’s true to its “I wrote this song from a feeling within—a particular girl was on my mind,” tLma says. “Writing from how I felt made the music even more relatable, capturing the essence of my mood and the emotion of the moment.”
Every note on this EP feels lived in. The R&B blends are great, the Alté adds modern flavours which are subtle but sharp, and the Afrobeat rhythms tie it all together with a vibe that feels distinguished and largely Nigerian. There’s the tLma’s delivery with a playfulness that broadcasts his accent shifts mid-line, keeping you guessing while drawing you closer.
But Kontrolla X Prettysmile isn’t only about tLma’s feelings, it is also about the Abuja story. It’s a window into a capital city that houses cultural experimentation, where Alté artists are having the stage to reset the soundscape. tLma is going all in, in this movement, making music that brings to life, Abuja’s serenity and chaos in equal measure.
The standout moments aren’t in the beats, they’re in the narrative pulled. One track zeroes in on the adventure of womanizing from a different state, holding up melodies that feel like a road trip through Nigeria’s rich musical history. It is this mix of personal and universal, of hyperlocal and global, that makes tLma’s music hit different.
The youngster clearly draws inspirations from Burna Boy and Brent Faiyaz. He is building a sound that refuses to be boxed in, and he’s part of the new wave of Nigerian artistes proving that the country’s music isn’t a monolith. Yes, Afrobeat dominates, but within its shadow, creators like tLma are also lending a voice, exploring vulnerability, love, and individuality in ways that feel fresh and necessary.
In Kontrolla X Prettysmile, tLma bares his soul in each part. This is music that dares to be quiet in a loud world, to be tender in a culture often obsessed with bravado. It’s the kind of project that could only come from an artiste who knows himself and isn’t afraid to take risks.
Listen up!