Hibotep / KMRU – Saffron EP – New 12″ EP Record 2023 Byrd Out UK Vinyl – Electronic / Bass Music / African Hip Hop / Ambient Forced Exposure

Hibotep takes charge with stabbing drums and marauding bass that steal in alongside her multilingual lyrics on Amber. Ebwino sees Hibotep masterminding a blistering, low-slung rap track with artist Will’stone (album due on Hakuna Kulala this year), before finishing on the instrumental and playful Saffron.

Hibotep is of Somali ancestry. Born and raised in Ethiopia, she currently lives in Kampala, Uganda, where she moved to reconnect with her twin sister. A walking, breathing example of the diversity of Kampala’s arts and culture scene, Hibo Elmi is, amongst other things, a DJ, filmmaker, fashion designer, installation artist, rapper and producer. A self described cultural nomad, pushing forward a genre she calls Industrial Shamanism. Named by Mixmag in April as one of the 17 women shaping African dance music, and one of 15 East African Artists You Need to Hear by Resident Advisor.

The vinyl is a split EP with much-lauded artist KMRU on the other side.

‘Ebwino feat. Will’stone (Radio Edit)’ is the lead single (out 19 April) and sees Hibotep masterminding a blistering, low-slung rap track with artist Will’stone (Will’stone Ssibamwenda). ‘Ebwino’ means ink, but at the same time can encapsulate the idea of painting and adding colour to your life. Will’stone has his debut album out due in September on the renowned Hakuna Kulala label featuring 8 tracks where he spray’s fire over crushingly heavy grooves.

released June 2, 2023

Artwork by Joseph Kamaru, design by Oliver Bancroft.
Mastering by Dotan Cohen.

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