Premiere: Ekiti Sound ‘Ku Ise’
Lagos and London-based Ekiti Sound blends Afrobeat, house and jazz-infused hip-hop on his fusionist second album, ‘Drum Money’
Ekiti Sound will release a new album, ‘Drum Money’, via Belgium’s Crammed Discs this month. Listen to ‘Ku Ise’ below.
The London and Lagos-based producer and vocalist follows up his 2019 LP for the label with 17-tracks that further develop his blend of Afrobeat, house and hip-hop. From the electronic Afrojuju alchemy of lead single ‘The Chairman’, which features Yoruba vocals from Aunty Rayzor, to the jazzy hip-hop flow of the title track and ‘Ghost Leader’, and the bass-heavy pulse of ‘Ebi Pa Mi’ and ‘Fuji On One’, the album delights in its approach to genre fusionism.
Produced with the help of numerous live musicians, including an Afrobeat horn section, percussion and keys, as well as bass from Metronomy’s Olugbenga Adelekan, ‘Drum Money’ is Ekiti Sound’s most ambitious work to date, and will find fans in those looking for home-listening gems as much as in DJs looking for festival floor-fillers.
‘Ku Ise’, which features vocals from Debbie Ohiri, falls into the latter camp. A stomping, percussive cut that draws influence from a traditional Ekiti folk song, it’s the album’s most club-ready tune, driving forward with bouncy drums, wriggly arpeggios and huge bass growls.
Speaking about the track, Ekiti Sound said: “‘GOD BLESS THE WORK WE DO’: The lyrics are like the unofficial national anthem of Ekiti State. Having worked with Debbie Ohiri on my first album, we wanted to create another moment that held significance for the paternal side since we did ‘A Song for Lara’ already. From school kids to grandmothers, they all know the words to this. For me, it was amazing to take one of our oldest folk songs and give it a modern electronic take while still keeping the stirring emotions of ancestral pride and thumping club energy. What Ekiti Sound is foundationally built in.”
‘Drum Money’ will be released on 23rd June. Pre-order it here.
