Raashan Ahmad is combining all his experiences to create a truly new sound on new album The Sun
Raashan Ahmad is consistently evolving, pushing the boundaries of live performance, studio recording and collaborations crossing borders and boundaries by fusing elements of hip hop, soul, jazz, world music, funk and more.
Starting out as front man for the Bay Area collective Crown City Rockers, Raashan honed his skills as an MC for this dynamic live band. The Crown City Rockers went on winning multiple “best of” awards, touring widely and releasing two critically acclaimed albums, garnering praise from both fans and critics alike. Raashan then launched a solo career, releasing a series of well-received albums: The Push, For What You’ve Lost, and Ceremony. The success of these albums expanded his fan base and placed Raashan on an international stage that had him touring feverishly across North America, Europe, Japan, and Australia.
His newest album The Sun, set to be released on May 24th, is his most exciting project to date. The record finds elements of what Raashan has been—soulful, socially aware and focused on self-discovery—while adding elements of the broader world: African rhythms, spoken word, jazz discoveries, flamenco palmas, mixed in a truly original musical gumbo.
Asked about the album, Raashan said, “I couldn’t create another record that sounded like what I’ve already produced. Being exposed to so many new sounds, ideas, and cultures combined with the state of the world pushed me to a place I am beyond excited about.”
The Sun is scheduled to hit streaming platforms on May 24 via B-Sides / L’Autre Distribution. Check out the artwork below.
Read next: Kwesi Arthur got something to say on Live from Nkrumah Krom Vol 2