Before the viral moments and growing international attention, Tkandz was simply a young artist experimenting with music and trying to find his sound.
Born Ayotomiwa Akande in Lagos, Nigeria, Tkandz moved to the United Kingdom at a young age and was raised in Essex. His childhood experiences between cultures helped shape the perspective that later showed up in his music. Like many artists from the digital era, his first steps into music happened from home. At just 15 years old, he began teaching himself how to record and create songs using the music platform BandLab, experimenting with sounds and developing his voice as an artist.
Those early experiments quickly turned into something more serious. In 2022, Tkandz released one of his first official songs, “Rainy Days,” marking the beginning of his professional music journey. Soon after, he began gaining attention with the track “No Sleep,” a collaboration with T’jugga and Shiloh Dynasty. The song started circulating online and helped introduce his melodic drill style to a wider audience.
Even while still balancing school and everyday life, Tkandz kept recording and releasing music. The consistency paid off when his single “Now or Never” started catching fire online. The track eventually went viral across social media platforms and even landed on the Billboard Global 200, while appearing in Spotify’s Top 50 charts in several countries.
The momentum around the song pushed his career to a new level. Major cultural moments followed, including the song being used in social media posts by public figures and even professional sports teams, helping introduce his music to audiences across Europe and beyond.
Despite the sudden attention, Tkandz has remained focused on improving his craft. Known for his calm demeanor and steady work ethic, he continues to spend much of his time recording and experimenting with new sounds rather than chasing hype.
His latest release, “One Hit Wonder,” reflects that mindset.
