Brazilian rapper NIKO IS has been hinting at the release of his album UNIKO since 2016. In the two years that have elapsed since then, he instead opted to share his successful EP trilogy – or “chillogy,” as he’d say – songs.4.people.who.break. But if you thought this full-length was a promise he was going to break, we have good news: the Rio de Janeiro-born, Orlando-based hip-hop artist is finally ready to drop UNIKO on mentor Talib Kweli’s own Javotti Media imprint, together with Colours of the Culture.
Besides including a collaboration with the label’s head honcho himself, the album will feature guest spots from rappers Styles P and Curren$y, and a little something we’ve been dying to hear since NIKO spilled the beans about it a couple of years ago: a collaboration with reggaeton legend Tego Calderón.
As a preview of the Brazilian-inspired sounds found on UNIKO, he recently released “Meet Me in the Future” with his longtime collaborator Thanks Joey on production duties. The single showcases the curly-haired rapper’s skilled bilingual flow and raspy vocals, backed by an irresistible beat.
The song now has an accompanying music video shot in NIKO’s hometown of Rio, premiering exclusively at Remezcla. NIKO and Kweli drink caipirinhas by the water, while NIKO dotes on his boo in the clearing of a lush Brazilian jungle. If these relaxed, glitchy visuals are meant to predict the future in any way, we will sleep well tonight.
“This is what I imagined my future sounding like, so we transcribed the vibe,” NIKO says about the track. He thanks Joey for the beautiful backdrop, who adds, “I wanted to create something upbeat to capture the energy I felt when I was last in Brazil, something to keep you moving but to also unify listeners in togetherness.”
Watch the video below: