Today, Afro-futurist sensations Onipa, headed by Ghanaian-British rapper Kweku Sackey aka K.O.G. and Nubiyan Twist guitarist/producer Tom Excell, have announced details of their forthcoming new album ‘Off The Grid’ – their first for Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records (Released 6th October 2023). Accompanying the announcement is their new video for lead single ‘No Commando‘ (watch below), shot around Accra in Ghana – where K.O.G.’s heritage lies – and featuring the vocals of David Walters.
Their last album, We No Be Machine (IK7 Music, 2020) was praised as the ideal festival soundtrack. Welding club electronics and traditional African rhythms, lovers of Congotronics (Konono No.1 / Mbongwana Star) or the more recent vibrant Archeology by Montparnasse Musique will love this exciting fusion connecting African folklore and storytelling to rap, jazz and hip hop.
The twin creative forces of Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G. & the Zongo Brigade) are joined by Finn Booth on drums and Dwayne Kilvington (a.k.a. Wonky Logic) on synths.
Speaking on ‘No Commando’ and recalling the lyrics Tom Excell explains:
“No Commando is about peace. A call for ‘oneness’ and a look at where ‘sources originate’. Seeing how the power of community can dispel fear and help us to express ourselves with ‘calm’ and ‘ease’.
“The track was recorded with recycled metals, pots and pans for drums, a wooden spoon guitar. A musical interpretation of the concept; One person’s rubbish is another’s treasure.
“Working with David is always a joy. His poetic lyricism resonated with the concepts we explore on ‘Off the Grid’.”
Tom Excell shared the following on the album:
“The album represents a search for freedom from corruption, from mental and financial burdens and from technology that disempowers and divides. The sacred power of music allows us all a chance to transcend our worries and our egos. A deep respect for those that came before us, a duty of care towards the imprint we leave the next generation and a love of the earth that we live on. This album seeks to trace sound origins and traditions of Africa and highlight their importance in the global soundscapes of the present and future.”
‘The small boy in the photo is from a tribe living by the sea, as off the grid as you can be — although not by choice. The rising sea level has devastated his community. All their homes have been taken by the sea. That photo is a shot from the front line of climate change.’
Explaining the story of the album’s front cover, K.O.G. adds:
‘The small boy in the photo is from a tribe living by the sea, as off the grid as you can be — although not by choice. The rising sea level has devastated his community. All their homes have been taken by the sea. That photo is a shot from the front line of climate change.’
PRE-ORDER – https://lnk.to/RW253
Tracklisting:
1. I Bore
2. No Commando (ft David Walters)
3. Marching Over (feat. Dele Sosimi)
4. Gospel (feat. Lauzy)
5. Kaneshie Joo
6. Machine 2
7. Menua (feat. Lamisi)
8. Danger (feat. Moonchild Sanelly)
9. SH33ME
10. Ayo
11. Fine Tho (feat. Theon Cross)
12. My Father
13. The Juggler
14. Joy
Live dates:
25 May – Tolhuistuin, Amsterdam
28 May – How The Light Gets In, Hay-on-Wye
4 June – Earth Garden Festival, Malta
29 June – Festival Med, Portugal
21 July – Bluedot, Macclesfield
12 August – Boomtown, Hampshire
1 Sept – Smugglers Fest, Kent
8 Sept – Highrise Festival, Cambridgeshire
Website: https://www.onipa.co.uk/