Since first grabbing headlines as half of KC Presh—the duo he started with lifelong friend Precious “Presh” John, and which won Nigeria’s reality competition, StarQuest TV in 2002—Kingsley Okonkwo has always had an ear for simple, catchy melodies. That has remained intact across his two studio albums and multiple singles including most notably, the hit singles “Limpopo”—one of the continent’s biggest anthems of 2013—and “Pullover” with fellow Afrobeats statesman Wizkid. With 2021’s Cultural Praise, KCee completed his ascent into a musical ndi ichie, the exalted council of elders—a natural step in Igbo tradition for one who has repeatedly proven his mettle by embracing his culture. A nostalgic medley of sounds fusing highlife, Igbo gospel and kegite palmwine music, the album also serves as both coronation music and thanksgiving jingle for the man who left a boy but returns a king.