I’ve heard the name Killval buzzing all over social media for quite some time, yet for some reason, I haven’t been getting in tune, but I realize this was a huge mistake. He has been blowing up over the past year or so, and his countless collaborations with Internet Money frontrunner Nick Mira have been as incredible as they are popular with his always growing fanbase. I knew my unexplained ignorance had to come to an end when the homie hit me up and told me to check out his latest record, and I’m glad I did because I was introduced to a whole new sonic world that was previously a mystery to me.
The name of the song is “Waiting 4 U”, and although it has been out for a bit of time at this point, it was simply too good to not talk about. Although Nick doesn’t include his trademark guitar riffs or many other characteristic sounds that he has become famous for, he proves once again that he can think outside the box unlike any other producer in the industry and bring a beat to life with some unexpected yet enchanting instruments.
On this cut, he includes some lighthearted piano keys, an instrument that sounds like a vocal chop of some sort, consistent hats and claps, and a groovy, succinct bassline that ties everything together. Killval begins to recite his lyrics in a carefree, unphased manner that contains some melodious elements as well as some amiable, friendly sounds that complement this bubbly instrumental in the perfect way.
He constantly changes the tone of his voice throughout this record, especially on the hook, and the ad-libs he sings in the back include certain hums that provide even more elements to the track, providing depth and variation throughout. As he goes in for his verse, the beat simplifies slightly while still carrying a jolly, almost tropical feel. During this portion, Killval chops his bars up slightly, playing with the instrumental like a toy and never feeling the need to rush or hurry his words in order to keep up with the rhythm or tempo of the song.
He keeps up with this consistency in the second verse, providing additional vocal layers to certain parts of his stanzas to further drive the rhyme schemes home. Throughout this hit, Killval seems to be talking directly to a girl he has feelings for, mentioning how she might’ve gotten away and now something seems to be missing from his life, beckoning her to come back and join him on his journey yet again.
After doing some further digging to find out more about Killval, I discovered that he’s a Richmond, Virginia native, and this record seems to be a bit off the beaten path from his normal style. I’m looking forward to delving into his other offerings to see if this is true because if it is, it just shows off his variability and dexterity as an artist, which are some extremely important things for a rising talent such as him. Obviously, he’s on the right path considering he has a rapidly growing following and he’s got such a close connection with Mira, who seems to be able to turn anyone into a star, so as long as he keeps going, he’ll be a household name in no time. If you haven’t heard “Waiting 4 U” by Killval quite yet, I suggest you tune in as soon as possible to hear the bright, joyous vibes that are sure to brighten your day.