The UK’s underground music scene responds to the timeless and inimitable work of Jean-Michel Basquiat on a new compilation curated by Lonely Table, Anja Ngozi and The Vinyl Factory.
Resistance bursting out of each of his works, Jean-Michel Basquiat is known as the rebellious, chaotic artist who defied injustice and power struggles, providing insight for the individual and imagining a new world order. As a living artist and posthumously, Basquiat’s poetry sings to subcultures around the world. Now in 2019, 30 years after his death, the UK underground music scene is responding directly to his work. On a compilation curated by Anja Ngozi, Lonely Table and The Vinyl Factory, 18 British artists have created a sonic response to his legacy.
Defying genre and style, Untitled features collaborations from the likes of Kojey Radical, Shabaka Hutchings, Nubya Garcia, Lex Amor, Joe Armon-Jones, Coby Sey and more. Bringing together the rising and, already, soaring stars of UK underground music, the result is a 30 minute quest through dub, jazz, hip-hop, post-punk and ambient, a reflection of the diverse and undefinable nature of the UK scene, and Basquiat’s art itself.
Lonely Table’s Lexy Morvaridi wrote “Basquiat saw society for what it is and used his creativity to reflect the issues that affected him most. Untitled is a continuation of these ideals, bringing the themes he presented to a contemporary setting and using music to tackle issues that are still prevalent in today’s society. This album is a visceral response to the times we live in.”
Untitled is out today, and available to listen to on all streaming platforms.
Tracklisting:
A1. Wu-Lu, Lex Amor, Ego Ella May – ‘Legend’
A2. LayFullstop, Moroka, AJ Kwame – ‘Broadcast By Chocolate’
A3. Lord Tusk ft. Roxanne Tataei – ‘Know Ways’
B1. Kojey Radical, Shabaka Hutchings – ‘No Gangster’ (Produced by Kz)
B2. Mala, Joe Armon-Jones, Nubya Garcia – ‘Scratch & Erase’
B3. =CoN+KwAkE= – ‘Same Ol Samo’
B4. Maxwell Owin & Coby Sey – ‘Response to Michel’
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