16-year-old Southeast Sydney rapper TOKO NLZ introduces himself to the world with his deeply personal debut single, “Family Over Everything” via Kobie Dee’s new label, Twenny47 Records.
Built on a soulful, Boom-Bap-influenced hip-hop style, “Family Over Everything” arrives somewhere raw: grief, memory, the weight of losing a brother and finding family in what’s left standing – whether it’s family connected by blood or the bonds that are nurtured through life. The track was first sketched out over 2Pac’s “Thugz Mansion” as the very first song TOKO NLZ ever wrote, later rebuilt with producer LANDZZ during their first ever session, which took place at Kobie Dee’s Twenny47 Studios in Maroubra.
TOKO NLZ on his first single: “Making this my first single is a great way to introduce the audience to my sound and for others to help understand me as an artist. It sets the tone for future releases and the relationship I want to build with my audience.”
“Family Over Everything” is the first single to be released on Twenny47 Records, the new imprint from acclaimed Gomeroi hip-hop artist Kobie Dee, partnering with BAM for its distribution. The label grew out of Twenny47 Studios, the purpose-driven community space built on culture, connection and creativity where Kobie runs music, arts and culture workshops designed to uplift and empower.
Kobie Dee shared, “Nelz was the kid everyone was talking about when I first opened Twenny47 Studios. A few of the youngers were talking about how good he is, so I said, “Tell him to come through.” Sure enough, the next week he came up to me out the front and said, “I heard you were asking me to come up.” I said, “I’ve been told you’ve got bars, let’s hear what you’ve got.”
For the next hour of the workshop, I heard him rap over multiple different beats in different styles. I was instantly impressed. Then he told me he was only 16 and I was even more impressed. I think he has the potential to be one of the best in the country.
“Family Over Everything” was actually the first song he recorded here at the studio. LANDZZ, who is another young rapper/producer, had been in the studio as well. He made this beat instantly and Nelz was ready to lay the whole track. This duo have been in the studio every single week ever since then. They are definitely ones to look out for and I’m just honoured to be able to help them on their journeys.”
Rather than sidestepping the hardest chapters of his life, on TOKO NLZ’s debut, he sits with loss rather than running from it – turning to music as a medium that helps him cope with these experiences and remember his loved ones who have passed away.
TOKO NLZ is only just getting started – but he already knows what matters most. Blood or built, everything from here is “Family Over Everything.”
