Gabzy is Leading the UK Afro-Fusion Game

With a new project set for release this summer, Afro fusion hotshot Gabzy talks his alter ego, growing up in Peckham and everything about his latest track, ‘Piano’.

Afro-fusion has truly taken over London. From its humble beginnings in West Africa to its current status as a global phenomenon, it’s taken British clubland by storm. Melding traditional African drum patterns with electronic, highlife and more contemporary sounds like R&B and dancehall, it’s a staple on the dancefloor, embraced by music veterans across the globe, all the while flourishing when a new face pops up in the scene.

Once a fresh face in the game, now a seasoned professional, Gabzy’s ascent into Afro-fusion royalty is well deserved, as he whisks up a brew of Alté, R&B and Afro with a contemporary undercurrent. Jumpy instrumentals illuminate his soulful crooning, as he sings poignant lyrics that stem from personal experience and pluck on your heartstrings.

Growing up in the heart of Peckham, Gabzy’s home was always filled with the sounds of Nigerian music veterans. His dad’s array of CDs blasted out the likes of Fuji king while Wasiu Ayinde was a ‘go-to’ to bring the vibes. Drawing inspiration from his father’s collection, and artists like Wizkid and Burna, a quintessentially Gabzy sound swiftly evolved, blurring genre and fine-tuning traditional African sounds in a newfangled way.

Releasing a slew of singles since his inception in 2016, Gabzy has also got three EPs under his belt. From Malone, a mishmash of bailie funk and soul, to Summers, a project filled with raw emotion in collaboration with Melvitto, Gabzy now looks to ascend even higher, with his first LP set to drop this summer.

He gives us a taste of what’s in store on his latest track, ‘Piano’. Linking up with Lekka Beats, the track is a sultry brew of Afrobeat and Amapiano. Delving into the depths of a relationship, we see Gabzy grapple with frustrations, as he wears his heart on his sleeve atop a laid-back production filled with rhythmic drum patterns and swooning synths.

Booking in further tours, whilst adding the final touches to his LP before the summer, we catch up with Gabzy and talk about his alter ego, growing up in Peckham and everything about his latest track, ‘Piano’.