French artist and producer James BKS joins forces with Q-Tip, Idris Elba and Little Simz his new single ‘New Breed’, released 15th November, following the success of his debut track ‘Kwele’.
An ode to Africa and empowerment, ‘New Breed’ perfectly merges James’ Cameroonian roots on production, with the lyricism of hip hop legend ‘Q-Tip’, multi-talented actor and artist Idris Elba, and Mercury Prize nominated rapper Little Simz. Speaking of the collaboration James explains:
“Little Simz, Idris Elba, Q-Tip and me strongly and proudly represent the New Breed movement, a different way to approach music with no borders, no judgment, no labels. We have learned from our past mistakes and victories and our eyes are on Africa, while in the meantime we embrace our own personal paths, respectively in the UK for Little Simz and Idris Elba, in the US for Q-Tip and in France for me”.
The animated video, which premiered exclusively on Pitchfork today, was directed by Stevie Gee and Essy May, and shows James BKS as the pilot of a studio spaceship travelling the galaxy in search of like-minded beings who share a similar story, and leading Q-Tip, Idris Elba and Little Simz on to his spaceship for the gathering of the New Breed.
The first artist signed to be signed to Idris Elba’s label 7Wallace, ‘New Breed’ comes as James BKS works on his debut album. James’ music is a perfect crossover of his African roots (a nod to his father, the legendary Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango) and urban hip hop sensibility – having grown up in the US and produced for the likes of Talib Kweli, Snoop Dogg, and Mr Eazi as well as French music icons Booba and Soprano.
James chronicles his search for balance through his music, “The Cameroon percussions and rhythms are the lungs of my tracks, the hip-hop bass their spine, and the Swahili gospel chants their heart”.
