Alkebulan: The Afro-Futurist Voice of Modern Soul

Alkebulan is a British-Nigerian singer, songwriter, and producer who has carved a distinct niche at the intersection of soul, jazz, and electronic music. Emerging from London's vibrant underground scene, his 2022 album Irons in the Fire debuted at number 12 on the UK Albums Chart, marking his commercial breakthrough.

Early career

Born in 1992 in Lagos, Nigeria, Alkebulan (real name Adejare Adetunji) moved to South London as a teenager. His musical journey began in church choirs before he started uploading self-produced tracks to SoundCloud around 2014. These early demos, blending Fela Kuti's Afrobeat rhythms with D'Angelo-style neo-soul, caught the attention of the independent label Cosmic Roots Records, which released his debut EP The Awakening in 2017.

Breakthrough

Alkebulan's major breakthrough arrived in 2021 with the single Golden Chains, a collaboration with veteran producer Floating Points. The track became a staple on BBC Radio 6 Music and led to a signing with the larger indie label Transgressive Records. This partnership set the stage for his critically acclaimed 2022 album Irons in the Fire, which was later certified Silver in the UK for sales exceeding 60,000 units.

Key tracks

Golden Chains — This 2021 single featuring Floating Points provided his first major radio hit and defined his signature Afro-futurist sound.

Irons in the Fire — The title track from his breakthrough album is a complex, seven-minute opus that showcases his lyrical depth and ambitious production.

Lagos to Lewisham — A deeply personal song that narrates his dual heritage and became an anthem within the UK's African diaspora communities.

Water No Get Enemy (Reflection) — His 2020 rework of the Fela Kuti classic demonstrated his roots and earned respect from both old and new generations of Afrobeat fans.

Following the success of Irons in the Fire, Alkebulan embarked on a sold-out UK and European tour in 2023. He has since collaborated with artists like saxophonist Shabaka Hutchings on the improvisational track Oracle's Whisper and contributed production to fellow soul innovator Ego Ella May's 2023 album Fieldnotes. His work continues to evolve, with recent singles hinting at a more electronic direction while maintaining his soulful vocal core.

Listeners who connect with Alkebulan's fusion of soul, jazz, and Afrobeat often explore the music of similar artists. Discover Ego Ella May for another perspective on London's contemporary jazz-soul scene. The experimental grooves of Yazmin Lacey share a similar intimate and genre-blending approach. For more Afro-futurist instrumentation, explore Nubya Garcia and her expansive saxophone-led compositions. The politically charged soul of Sault also resonates with Alkebulan's thematic depth.

Alkebulan's music maintains strong rotation across a network of specialist radio stations. His tracks are frequently featured on modern soul and jazz FM stations, alternative digital radio streams, and online platforms dedicated to independent and forward-thinking music. This consistent airplay has been instrumental in building his loyal fanbase beyond the initial album campaign.

The innovative music of Alkebulan can be heard regularly on the radio stations featured on our website. Listeners can discover his evolving discography and latest singles by tuning into the soul, jazz, and alternative music stations available on onairium.com.