interview: tim duzit
“Kat Slater” started as a viral moment, but quickly proved itself as something more. From TikTok to live stages.
Blending Nigerian heritage with UK rap energy, his self-defined “Native Bounce” sits at the centre of something fresh With momentum building and a growing audience waiting on what’s next.
INTERVIEW BY: KOFI OWUSU
Hi, how are you?
Great!
“Kat Slater” really exploded last year. When you first made the track, did you have any idea it would take on a life of its own like that?
Not initially, no. But from the first post I knew it connected. It lived as a meme for a while, but when I performed it at Fête de la Musique in Paris, that’s when I knew it wasn’t just a meme.
The song has now racked up tens of millions of streams and billions of TikTok views. How has that level of visibility changed things for your day to day life as an artist?
It’s been validating. Even being able to perform the song and hear people sing the words back. Now I’ve got people waiting on new music, which is what you want as an artist. It first felt real after my performance at OVMBR, and when it passed a million streams.
A lot of people talk about the humour and cultural references in your music, from things like “Agbo Jedi” to the Nigerian family skits. How important is it for you to show that side of Nigerian culture within UK rap?
It’s important because it’s a part of who I am, as opposed to a box that needs to be ticked. If I can bring my heritage and my art together in a way that people enjoy, that’s always a good thing. I do believe my sound can, and is, bringing the wider diaspora into UK rap.
You’ve described your sound as “Native Bounce.” What does that term mean to you beyond the name?
It’s a foreign familiarity. It sounds new, but connects through what you already know. And the “foreign” part comes from my Nigerian heritage.
Your music blends humour, cultural references and sharp lyricism. When people hear a Tim Duzit record, what do you want them to instantly recognise about your style?
Some songs are made for people to enjoy immediately, and others might be a bit more experimental, but still feel familiar.
The response to “Kat Slater” went far beyond music. From FLO recreating the dance to Anthony Joshua posting it. What was the most surreal moment for you during that whole run?
I’ve received a lot of love from artists all over the world. Dave bringing me out was a humbling moment.
You’ve already had some big live moments, from Notting Hill Carnival to Afrolink Munich, and even sharing a stage moment with Burna Boy. What have those performances taught you about your audience?
They feed off my energy. Sometimes they’ve been waiting a long time, so I have to make sure the energy stays high.
There’s a real blend happening right now between UK rap and African sounds. Where do you see your music sitting within that conversation?
Definitely trailblazing. I like to experiment and enjoy the process, making songs that everyone can enjoy, even if you’re not from the culture. It’s also about inspiring newer artists.
With Dave even referencing “Kat Slater” on tour, the co-signs seem to be coming from everywhere. Do those moments motivate you, or do you try not to get too caught up in them?
Both. The recognition is always humbling, but you have to stay focused. There’s still so much more to do.
You’ve already had a viral record, major co-signs and a MOBO nomination. When people look back in a few years, what do you want the Tim Duzit story to represent?
Excellence. The 10,000 hours before the 1:49 seconds of fame… that’s what turns that moment into something worth looking back at. It’s about creating a 360 brand, from the music to the visuals to the performance.