Obeka - Kingdom is rising
A short film behind Obeka’s new Future Bounce label release, Kingdom is rising. Wandering into new sound territory with Afro-Futurism and contemporary dance music has expanded Obeka’s writing and drum programming. While building the EP, he wanted to challenge the forms of rhythmic emotion and identity carried from his ancestral origins. From Bermuda to Manchester, this is Obeka’s story.
“The contrast is what really attracts me” Obeka explains, “A parallel sound pattern that drives relentlessly from start to finish became a common tool during the refinement of the project.’
This single is a product of Obeka’s recent travels and reflection on his Caribbean and African roots. “Over the past five years the South African GQOM culture has inspired much of my musical growth and experimentation. Constantly challenging how I can build a sonic bridge between the percussive elements of the Carribean Islands in which I was born and the genre-bending force that is GQOM. The idea generation behind the record was initially crafted with EDM basslines, recorded analog synths and swinging pulses of wooden hand percussion I chopped in multi-layered groups. These groups hold over four different drum codes each with their own key and sharpness, creating a piercing sound palette once the drop hits. “
This has been a busy, milestone year for the Me Gusta collective co-founder. Recently having finished his debut tour in Colombia, he has also ventured his sound in a multitude of UK cities and beyond the shores in Bologna, Brussels, Cuba, Lisbon and Munich. Fresh off his first year as a new resident for Oroko Radio based in Ghana, Obeka has dived into the airwaves of BBC Radio, Rinse FM, Rinse France, NTS Radio and more. Obeka has expanded his sound beyond the borders supporting musicians such as Lil Silva, Femi Kuti, Kampire, Sampha, Tinariwen and Ghanaian MC Bryte.
In 2018, Jamz Supernova (BBC 6Music) founded Future Bounce Records. Achieving over 8 million streams in just two years, the label quickly gained widespread support from tastemakers including Mixmag, DJ Mag, COLORS, Bandcamp, COMPLEX, Trench, FADER, Boiler Room and more. With her finger on the pulse of global and diasporic music scenes, in 2020, Jamz took the label to the next level with its new club and electronic side. Kicking off with a successful series of club-focused releases from LR Groove, Giulia Tess and Rose Bonica, the label now also boasts an impressive genre-defying release catalogue, signing artists including Karen Nyame KG, Hagan, Dubrunner, Bianca Oblivion and Kiss Nuka, to name a few, and has a widespread fanbase of music lovers and club-kids across the globe.
“Kingdom Is Rising” single is out now