Firstklaz layers his 2024 masterpiece, “Gen-Z Arewa”, with inclusive cultural representation by enlisting two of hip-hop’s top players, Jeriq and Zlatan. In July 2024, the fast-rising Afro-Fusion artist released what would become his highest-charting record on streaming platforms, “Gen-Z Arewa”—a track that took fans on an impressive rollout journey. This journey showcased the creation of the record, born out of creative spontaneity and featuring a four-man group of Hausa roadside serenaders dubbed Iliya Entertainment Music.
Leveraging his social media platforms, particularly Instagram, First Klaz has consistently presented the genius of his artistry to the world, drawing audiences in through his music and engaging video executions. This has earned him a growing fanbase, recognition from industry heavyweights and opportunities to collaborate with established artists who have now discovered his brilliance. And with every new release, First Klaz is on a mission to make something extraordinary out of the ordinary, a philosophy that clearly underpins his creative process, as highlighted in his interview with Afromixx.
With the remix riding the momentum of Gen-Z Arewa, First Klaz taps into the talents of rappers representing Nigeria’s other major tribes, bringing a refreshing cultural layer to his 2025 offering, ‘Arewazobia’. The track features indigenous Igbo rapper Jeriq and Yoruba rapper Zlatan Ibile. In a bid to extend the success of the original and breathe new genius into what many already consider a perfect song, First Klaz dives deep into his creative arsenal. The result is ‘Arewazobia‘—a clever wordplay on ‘WAZOBIA’, the popular term for Nigeria’s three dominant ethnic groups.
On the over-two-minute track, the production elements that made the original version successful remain intact. Opening the song are the voices of Iliya Entertainment Music, followed closely by Firstklaz’s verse. Within the first few moments, it’s clear that Firstklaz isn’t out to radically reinvent ‘Arewazobia’. Instead, he seeks to fuse cultures, making space for guest artists to imprint their distinct cultural twangs on the record. This intention is mirrored in the culture-specific percussion that underscores the latter half of the track. Jeriq raps primarily in Igbo, layering his storytelling with sprinkles of pidgin and English, all wrapped in highlife textures. Zlatan follows, delivering a gritty verse that pulses with Yoruba rhythms and the vibrant call of the talking drum.
With ‘Arewazobia’, Firstklaz leans into Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, not as a theme, but as a lived experience, one he moulds into sound. And in doing so, he reminds us that music, when true to its roots, can be both a celebration and a conversation.
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