ON REPEAT: The Color Grey
ON REPEAT: The Color Grey
By Anissa Herner
With his debut EP, The Color Grey, Jephté Kweto (known online as jev.), has freed himself from the shackles of anonymity and emerged into the music scene. With his hit, “where’s the confetti?” reaching #1 on the Spotify US Viral 50 chart less than a month after its release, it's safe to say that Kweto is not unknown or underground. He’s just under-appreciated.
Kweto is a Congolese-Canadian refugee who has lived in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Canada. Kweto’s main mission with his music is to “bring people together from all walks of life through his ‘it's okay to be different’ overarching message”. His music encapsulates the fact that it is okay to be a loner, a fact that Kweto has focused his brand on.
Cover: jev. (2022) The Color Grey
Kweto draws audible inspiration from the likes of Kendrick Lamar, Andre 3000, Jay-Z, and Nas. With his blend of R&B, alternative and classical hip hop, and his unquestionably unique samples, The Color Grey is a beautiful musical journey. With the first track, “where’s the confetti?” The Color Grey opens with a sample from The Cecil Holmes Soulful Sounds, “Call Me, Come Back Home” which sets the tone for what this EP is going to be like. A homage to the trials and tribulations of life with a sprinkle of nostalgia.
My personal favorite off of the EP is “and then i got revenge”. Its raw vocals and deep bass mimic the late XXXTENTACION while the lyrics articulate who jev is.
Overall, I can see jev. in a few years standing within the ranks of other artists like Lil Yachty and Tyler the Creator. If you’re a fan of Kendrick Lamar’s Pulitzer Prize winning album, DAMN. or Nas’s hit album illmatic, check out The Color Grey. The Color Grey only spans 22 minutes, but its beautiful lyrics and general vibe remains one that I remember days after my first listen.
Follow jev. on Instagram @thelonerjev and @jev. on all streaming platforms or check out his website www.thelonerjev.com