NSG Connects London and West Africa on ‘The Big 6’

NSGstands at the crossroads of several cultures. 'Nigeria Slash Ghana' is one of the several meanings of their group name—an homage to their home countries, which is also significant as both nations are instrumental in the origin and evolution ofAfrobeats.

When the East London-formed band talks to OkayAfrica about their latest album,The Big 6, there's palpable excitement on the Zoom call. Their profound and seamless chemistry is evident in real-time.

"I'd say this album was more experimental for us," says Papii Abz, one of the group's six members, "It's like NSG tapping into another dimension of our sound. 'Cause it goes far, there's no limit to our sound."

For those following NSG, The Big 6 is undoubtedly a sonic progression from the Afrobeats and Afro-bashment music that populated their previous albums Roots and AREA BOY. Instead of flamboyant production and eccentric verse structures, The Big 6 showcases a slicker, pop-attuned style, as in the sultry Lyvia-featured "Venus" or the pomp-driven "Euphoria." The group also uses memorable hooks, like on the Tay-C featuring "Tell Me," which features floating horns and relaxed drums.

The Big 6 references Ghana's famed six historical sites and landmarks of the country's independence movement. Places like Elmina Castle and Lake Bosumtwi give a narrative background, as the group has created their most forward-thinking project yet. Papii Abz provides a riveting account of how they made "Overnight," spurred by ODG's urge for the group to touch on a story that shows how events can change overnight, whether it's getting a big deal or being jilted by one's lover in a relationship. Sacrifice" also offers a deep topic, which sparks great verses from the entire group.

Songs like this reveal NSG's democratic process, culminating in scene-defining projects since their debut in 2017. Grown Up was a fine introduction to their inclinations, a vibrant collection of love, community, and ambition. You only needed to hear JAE5's glorious synths on "Dreaming" to know NSG was serious business. The music had everything: well-blended strains of dancehall, pop and hip-hop ("Referee"), as well as R&B ("Mercy"). Afroswing was still in its early stages, and NSG embodied the genre at its finest and most innovative.

"That was the introduction to Africa," says Kruddz, "from the project's name being ROOTS. When [the mixtape] dropped, we had already built a steady fanbase in the U.K. from continuous drops, and we felt that was the perfect time to put out a body of work and explain ourselves. It was more like a few singles had done well, but we wanted people to understand us as a collective, and the best way to do that is through a project."

Three years later, NSG didn't need to introduce themselves. They were nowAREA BOYZ, a West African-supplied term for street dwellers that mostly takes a negative connotation. That would become the title of their next album, a stronger hold on the elements that make them Africans. Tellingly, they incorporated a wider cast of African collaborations than ever before:Sarkodie,ODUMODUBLVCK,Libianca,Seyi Vibez — they increasingly leveraged their ability to connect personal themes with those of a wider demographic.

"The projects always represent us at that particular time, at that moment," says Kruddz. "We put a positive spin on [Area Boyz] because we did come from dem situations but made a positive upbringing from that. We've channeled the negativity from the areas we grew up, the stereotypes around us, but we made something out of it."

Although contemporary Afrobeats was massively influenced by the formation of groups — including Trybesmen, Buk Bak, and VIP, amongst others — it's a set-up whose popularity has dwindled. NSG is part of the few holding it down for the form, coming a long way from those days when they used to vibe together as teenagers growing up in the East London neighborhood of Hackney.

The Big 6 reaffirms NSG's place in the canon of Afrobeats groups, with the six-man group reaching into deeper pockets of artistry. One sees this through their evolving fashion, going from looking like roadmen to suave businessmen, cutting from the streets into the boardroom. It's a laudable evolution, especially since we're still seeking new colors to paint Afrobeats on the global canvas. NSG brings vital and original art to the Afrobeats genre while honoring the musical greats who came before them, both African and non-African. Their album cover's reference to The Beatles' iconic Abbey Road shows a thoughtful appreciation for music history that crosses cultural boundaries.

Seeing their unique position at the crossroads of globalization, I asked NSG about the possibilities of creating music from such a multicultural perspective. "The possibilities are endless," says Abz, to which Kruddz reiterates, "A hundred percent." Abz continues: "How are things birthed and created? It's a mixture. To create something new, you must mix this element with that element. Coming from a place with so much diversity allows you to experience new cultures and sounds firsthand. As creatives, it's a no-brainer for us to experiment with these different elements. Long story short, we're bringing the world together through our music."