Norwich’s own $ebbuku (Sebastian Bates) continues to rise in the East of England rap scene with his new EP, ‘Affray,’ released on June 13th. At just 19 years old, $ebbuku has already made a significant mark, producing his own beats for over four years and garnering support from a number of tastemakers.
From the outset, $ebbuku’s journey has been about more than just music—it’s a reflection of his life, his struggles, and his unyielding passion for authentic hip-hop. He began sharing his tracks during some of his most challenging times, embedding his personal stories and experiences into his music. This realness is not only thematic but also evident in his dedication to hands-on vinyl sampling.
‘Affray,’ a four-track release, showcases $ebbuku’s radiant yet distinctive style. His meticulous approach to sampling pays homage to old-school hip-hop, while his expressive and hypnotic flow brings a fresh energy to the genre. The EP’s captivating musicality and relentless energy are testament to his talent and vision.
Reflecting on the creation of ‘Affray,’ $ebbuku shares, “I first started work on ‘Affray’ about two years ago when I was in a really testing situation. I was in my second year of college, working at a music venue in the city, and sleeping on my best mate’s/drummer’s sofa so I could do all of this as much as possible. Writing this project became my main outlet for expressing my frustration with situations that were going on around me at home and socially, whilst trying to survive as an artist and not taking the easy route through life. I spent hours every week writing demos that evoked the raw energy I wanted to push, telling stories about feelings and circumstances that I’ve been through. I wanted to write something that had the same ‘oomph’ as my live shows so me and the band could take it straight from the studio to the stage. I took the approach of getting hands-on with Old-school mixing and chopping. This put the rawness into the music that I craved. I was massively influenced by artists like Ice-T and LL Cool J as a child and I wanted to mix my love of heavy dub with Boom-Bap to make something that sounded straight off the record pressing.”
The EP was recorded entirely in $ebbuku’s home studio, with visuals for the lead single ‘Set Your Soul Free’ filmed in his childhood home. The video mixes old footage of him breakdancing in the kitchen with new shots of him and his band, highlighting the project’s deeply personal and homegrown nature. $ebbuku’s love for hip-hop culture, ingrained since birth, shines through in ‘Affray,’ creating a project that resonates with authenticity and a deep respect for the genre’s roots.
Listen below:
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