Nobody in Afrobeats is more influential while staying this hidden. The Lagos-born twin producers Taiwo and Kehinde Kassim, known as The Kazez, have been the silent architects for over a decade. Their fingerprints are on pivotal tracks for massive artists like Adekunle Gold, Rema, Tiwa Savage, Oxlade, and Mayorkun, crafting more than forty major records that define the genre's evolution. They operate under a philosophy they call Refined Street Culture, blending raw Lagos energy with emotional depth and deliberate restraint, always prioritizing lasting meaning over flashy trends.
Their catalog reads like a modern Nigerian pop hall of fame. Key hits they helped create include Tiwa Savage's 10%, Rema's DND, Oxlade's INTOXYCATED, and Mayorkun's Alarm. While their recent work on Adekunle Gold's track brought new attention, it is just one note in a much longer symphony. Since starting in 2011 and getting a boost from the emPawa 100 initiative, they have become go-to collaborators across the industry. They move effortlessly from street anthems to soulful pop, all while maintaining a consistent signature sound focused on disciplined craftsmanship rather than chasing viral moments.
The duo is now shifting focus toward greater creative ownership. They aim to directly shape culture and mentor new artists, proving that intentional, quiet creativity can steer the whole scene. Multiple major music publications have recognized their substance-driven work. The twins from Lagos have already molded a generation's sound, and they are preparing to dictate the next one entirely on their own terms.
Their catalog reads like a modern Nigerian pop hall of fame. Key hits they helped create include Tiwa Savage's 10%, Rema's DND, Oxlade's INTOXYCATED, and Mayorkun's Alarm. While their recent work on Adekunle Gold's track brought new attention, it is just one note in a much longer symphony. Since starting in 2011 and getting a boost from the emPawa 100 initiative, they have become go-to collaborators across the industry. They move effortlessly from street anthems to soulful pop, all while maintaining a consistent signature sound focused on disciplined craftsmanship rather than chasing viral moments.
The duo is now shifting focus toward greater creative ownership. They aim to directly shape culture and mentor new artists, proving that intentional, quiet creativity can steer the whole scene. Multiple major music publications have recognized their substance-driven work. The twins from Lagos have already molded a generation's sound, and they are preparing to dictate the next one entirely on their own terms.
