Skip to main content

Flying Lotus shares Ras G tribute, ‘Black Heaven’: Listen

The track was recorded at Spacebase

Flying Lotus has paid tribute to the late Ras G, who passed away last Monday (29th) aged 39.

Shared last weekend on Gilles Peterson's BBC Radio 6 Music tribute show, Flying Lotus, real name Steven Ellison, said that 'Black Heaven' was recorded during his last visit to the fellow Brainfeeder co-founder's studio, Spacebase.

“The last time I saw G was really special to me, and there was something about the timing I just felt was really urgent to go see him," Ellison explained, "And partially because I had this idea in my brain that’s been kinda brewing for the past couple years.”

“Also, that same night at Spacebase, we started messing around with some music, and I pulled out my little keyboard from my backpack and I just started playing some stuff and told him to record it. The next day, he sent me something back, and it was titled ‘Black Heaven'”

An influencial artist on the Los Angeles beat scene, Ras G, real name Gregory Shorter, had collaborated with the likes of Flying Lotus, Thundercat and Open Mike Eagle during his career, as well as releasing an extensive catalogue of solo albums and EPs. Along with Brainfeeder, Shorter released music on labels including Poo-Bah Records, Leaving Records, Ramp Recordings and his own Ghetto Sci-Fi Music. 

Listen back to Gilles Peterson's 'Celebrating Ras G' tribute show on BBC Radio 6 Music and hear 'Black Heaven' below.