Lets explore London’s revived jazz scene with the latest lo-fi hip hop track “Valley of Def feat. Pearl De Luna” by artists Goya Gumbani and Subculture. This track is from the upcoming EP titled “KRYSTIN” including 7 collaborative tracks from both artists – we chat with them about the recently released single, music video and overall insight into the EP.
Created only a couple of months after the passing of his sister, Gumbani reflects on the EP: “Working on this project I went through a transition of making tracks to making songs and felt like I could be a lot more experimental. After my sister’s passing, I felt there were no bounds or limitations I’d put on myself creatively. It was a whirlwind of grief at the time with the loss of many things in my life and a big awakening… with a lot of new things happening. Trying to understand my emotions, I didn’t know if I was coming or going, but the music was an outlet.”
Subculture elaborates, “I loved the world Goya had already created, his voice and his approach to music. To me, his wordplay and rhythm is a smokey Jazz club. I wanted to make that 3D. Like putting gloss over something, or colour grading a movie. I wanted the music to sparkle.”
In the single “Valley of Def”, Gumbani’s mellow flow is complemented by the soulful vocals of Pearl de Luna & Subculture’s evocative production with stories of loss and learning. The overall effect is introspective and meditative; hip hop but free-form, taking you out of the club and into a low-lit corner deep in the subconscious.
“I would describe Vally Of Def as A smokey adventure of free-form hip hop experimentation,” says Subculture
This track is a jazzy, dreamy escape that is needed after summer – it connects the classic aesthetic (such as the streets of Brick Lane) with the vintage impression from the 80s melody. The forthcoming music video also backs up these evident themes, demonstrating old school cinematography, fashion and 80s detailing which matched the tone of the single perfectly.
Subculture has won praise from the likes of the New York Times, Fader, WNYC, BBC Radio 1, Line of Best Fit, COLORS, Jamz Supernova for his years of producing, songwriting and DJ’ing.
Over years of producing, songwriting and DJ’ing, Subculture has honed a penchant for marrying organic, soulful instrumentation from the past with production and sonics of the present, always searching for points of connection between seemingly disparate genres. His ability to manoeuvre between worlds so seamlessly has nurtured a collage-style of production, almost as though you’re flicking through a box of dusty LPs in real-time.
Subculture is committed to lifting a new generation of artists producing experimental hip hop and soul. Subculture now brings Goya Gumbani into his ever-expanding fold with “Valley of Def feat. Pearl De Luna” and the forthcoming “KRYSTIN” EP.
Gumbani, is recognized for his recent COLORS performance and acclaimed collaborations within various electronic and jazz circles (Joy Orbison, Joe Armon-Jones, Rago Foot), and he contributes his always recognizable Brooklyn-tinted delivery while navigating his learnings, losses and lived experiences.
In a chat with Izabel Rose, Subculture and Gumbani shed light on their recent music, explore their inspirations and uncover their opinions on the forever expanding industry which is music.
IR: How are you finding being a musician in London during these current times?
GG: London has been good to me, i like it here. It’s like a creative pot so I’m always inspired, Everyone shares a similar hunger.
IR: Where do you usually pull your inspiration from?
GG: normally life, things around me. Things I watch and see, interactions & conversations I have, Weither that be people I know or strangers… OH and sonics, the power of music, The feeling it leaves.
IR: Describe the creative process behind new single “Valley of Def”, where did the idea come about, how long did it take you to create the track etc?
GG: At the time of making that song I was in a gnarly place. my sister passed away a few weeks before and me and my shortie broke up. Shit was ROUGH. Me and Sub (Subculture) had made a few tracks but I was kinda just learning how to make a song at the time with hooks and shit, just closed my eyes and did what felt natural. In all the song didn’t take long to make, We made multiply that day if I’m correct.
IR: Are you looking forward to performing the track live? Have you got any shows lined up, can you tell us a bit about them?
GG: Yeah I love live! I’m super ready to take the whole project on the road. I’m gonna be playing boiler room festival in London and a paris gig all in October.
IR: What was it like working with Pearl De Luna, did her persona match the jazzy lo-fi hip hop beat which is signature to you?
GG: Pearl is like my baby sister, she’s one of the purest people I know. Pearl always surprises me everytime we make stuff. Her vocal control is insane at the quietest range. I knew she was perfect for the vibe off the rip.
IR: I love the style of the music video, why did you choose old fashioned cinematography?
GG: the movie Babylon inspired the video. It’s one of my fav British movies. It captures south east london at a time when shit was rough for black West Indian community but the music and vibes couldn’t be stopped. The way it was shot just has a feel of age to it. Like some fine aged wine shit.
IR: How would you describe your genre/style of music?
GG: it’s raps over jazzy loops or something close.
IR: How would you like your music to develop even more over the next couple of years?
GG: I’m always experimenting over different stuff. I got sooo much to give. I guess I would wanna just tune my ear even more.