The future beat tide continues to rise and we’ve definitely caught the wave. UK-based Afrosamuraiist is one of the genres brightest new stars. He first caught our attention last summer when he landed a spot in our Focus Five series. Over the past 12 months he’s continued to grow and evolve as a producer with standout singles like ‘I Guess,’ ‘I Need You,’ and ‘My Body.’ With the recent release of his debut EP On The Verge he’s truly come into his own. A complex mixture of sensual vocal samples, stunning synths and just the right amount of knock make Afrosamuraiist’s sound irresistible. Furthering his talents comes his FUXWITHIT Guest Mix; a 36 minute journey that’s dripping with lush vibes. As always we also caught with Afrosamuraiist to get some further insight into his sound, his upcoming music and the inspiration behind Magnified Artist Alliance. Read the full interview below.
Tell us about the mix. What was your vision when putting it together?
I really wanted this mix to be an insightful blend my taste for music, containing some of my old and more recent favourites, as well as my own productions (both released and unreleased). Starting off with a very relaxed melodic vibe, I wanted to build people progressively into the dancey mood full of future funk/house that you can’t help but move to!
Who is Afrosamuraiist?
Afrosamuraiist is my alias as a dancer/producer and something I aim to build that allows me to grow the two creative ventures together.
I had no idea what kind of music I was trying to make, but after a ton of experimenting with different sounds and techniques, my style of production progressively began to take shape.
How’s London treating you?
I am technically not currently based in London, but in a small town just outside of London. As for London itself, I love the energy, the variety in things to do and the limitless opportunities it provides. It is honestly an amazing place – I plan to move there ASAP.
How long have you been making music? Did it take you a while to find your own lane/style?
I have been making music for about three years now (although the first year I find very hard to count as I made very little music and never really pushed myself during that time). The second year of making music is when I really began to push myself. I put every ounce of energy I had into making as much music as possible: at the time I had no idea what kind of music I was trying to make, but after a ton of experimenting with different sounds and techniques, my style of production progressively began to take shape.
My dancing has definitely helped me creatively as a producer – I have always heard music in a very unusual way, and would pick up on really subtle things in a track that I found people ordinarily would never hear
In addition to producing you’re also a dancer. How do the two disciplines work together? Has being a producer made you a better dancer? Or has dance made you better at making music?
My dancing has definitely helped me creatively as a producer – I have always heard music in a very unusual way, and would pick up on really subtle things in a track that I found people ordinarily would never hear. I think that skill carried forward when I started making music and has given me an ear for the finer details of a track that I would not have otherwise had.
Producing music has given me a broader outlook for what to appreciate in a song when I am dancing and given context to my movements; rather than them being purely instinctive, they are now driven by a deeper knowledge and understanding for what the music holds.
future beats acts as a beautiful medium between the electronic music scene and the general masses. Easy to listen to but quirky enough to be appreciated by even the most technically advanced of producers.
The future beat sound has been seeing a second renaissance as of late. Do you think it’s going to be the next big wave in electronic music?
I think it has a huge amount of potential to do this – future beats acts as a beautiful medium between the electronic music scene and the general masses. Easy to listen to but quirky enough to be appreciated by even the most technically advanced of producers.
Last year you founded Magnified Art Alliance, can you tell us a little bit about what makes MAA special?
I have always felt that despite dancers and musicians have a strong common interest, the two communities seemed to be disconnected to me. Being a dancer myself, I often find myself split in two as I bounce between my passion for both. I also noticed that dancers are always on the search for new music and musicians are always looking for new opportunities to be heard. With this in mind, my goal with MAA was to bridge that gap and provide opportunities for the two communities to work together.
From MAA to Bonsai, to your Twitter, you really seems to be someone who’s keen on supporting artists and friends you believe in. Has this always been important to you?
In all honesty no. Before I started making music and taking my dancing more seriously, I think I was very aloof – by no means was I unsupportive, but I wouldn’t have said ‘supportive’ was a character trait of mine. Overall I was very accustomed to working alone and pushing myself without anyone encouraging me to do so – the major difference now, however, is that I have grown to understand just how much of an impact that even the smallest amount of encouragement or support can have. From being involved in people’s lives and allowing others to be involved in mine, I have grown as a person to see the genuine difference it can make.
You just dropped your On The Verge EP, what’s next for you musically?
I’ve got a ton of self releases coming up in the next few months, a couple of which will be steering away from my more traditional electronic funk style. I really want to focus heavily on pushing the limits of my productions more, but I’m looking forward to seeing how this new music I’ve been working on is taken.
What are looking forward to most this summer?
Honestly I’m looking forward to getting some hot weather because it has been too damn cold here in the UK for the last 6 months loool.
Being serious though, I’m mostly looking forward to going to my first Soulection show in July and competing in a few dance battles in London.
Anything else you’d like to tell your fans or the FUXWITHIT readers?
Stay hungry, stay focused and stay tuned because the second half of this year is about to be madness!! And to all that have been supportive of anything I’ve done, I can’t thank you enough, your support means the world!
Tracklist
Afrosamuraiist – Wait
Berlo – Gardens
Razlo – Amor
Samsin – movement
boyjugo – & burst void
west1ne – stutter
movibez – uknow
the kount – jupiter
Afrosamuraiist – ID
Afrosamuraiist – I need you
Afrosamuraiist – Do You
La Soulchyld – being you
Ta-ku – you&i (jamie blake remix)
Afrosamuraiist – ID
Afrosamuraiist – Focus
Jives – Playground
capshun – Lotus (Afrosamuraiist Remix)
The Kount – Hey
Afrosamuraiist – Tell Me
DECAP – Lift
Afrosamuraiist – The Vision
Afrosamuraiist – The Juice
KMB – Take You There
Daju – Best Part
Paul Mond – I love it
Chromonicci – Switch
ANKA – B A Y N K
Afrosamuraiist – Drank
