JELANI BLACKMAN RELEASES NEW EP ‘LOCKJAW’

by the partae November 20, 2018

written by the partae November 20, 2018

“Genre-breaking” – Wonderland

“One of the year’s most unique new pieces of music within the genre of hip hop/rap” – Pilerats

“Londoner Jelani Blackman has got one of those voices that commands right from the first play” – The FADER

“NEW FAVE from the UK… It’s booming and biting and perfect” – Linda Marigliano, triple j

“Britain’s next great auteur” – Noisey

“uniquely recognisable voice – husky and deep as an ocean” – Dazed

Jelani Blackman has finally arrived with his new EP ‘Lockjaw’, released via AMF Records / Caroline Australia. The 4-track project features the instant dance classic “Go Low” (feat. NewAgeMuzik), the most recent single “Lockjaw,” as well as two other never-before-heard tracks. Jelani has also just become the face of the brand new Tommy Jeans Crest Collection, once again establishing himself not only as a musical artist, but also a fashion tastemaker.

“I feel like I’ve never put out an EP before. These are the first songs that make sense as a whole. For me it’s like the beginning.” says Jelani of the EP.

STREAM ‘LOCKJAW’ EP

Jelani is proving himself to be a prolific artist, excelling at a variety of genres and styles, drawing from jazz, soul and hip-hop to create his absolutely unique, instantly recognisable sound. Apart from music,Jelani is also making a name for himself in the world of fashion. Earlier this year, he was featured in the last Tommy Hilfiger Denim Capsule Collection alongside IAMDDB.

His first EP ‘1-4’ marked Jelani out as a one to watch. Twisted after-dark anthem ‘Twenty//Three’, racked up over 2 million streams on Spotify and garnered support from tastemakers across the board. Then came the mesmerising collaboration with ascendant production duo Sylas and ambient god Brian Eno on ‘Layer’. His strong visual aesthetic is mirrored across the new release, with its dark and dreamy artwork from Travis Brothers who is known for his creative direction for Pusha T, Post Malone and Sam Gellaitry. He has also contributed to Kanye West’s creative content agency DONDA.

The followed last years ‘5-8’ EP. Starting with ‘Follow’ a minimal but impactful beat accompanied by strings and the deep mellow tone of Jelani’s voice. ‘One More Time’ was a song of passion and unfinished business, layered with resonant guitar notes and hypnotic base tones, the track’s lyrical force rewards repeated listens. ‘Not You’ was our first preview from EP, “Sometimes knowing who you are and what you want is blurry, all I know is that I’m Not You…“. In ‘Try’ we hear a kaleidoscope of different instruments partnered with Jelani’s melodic voice and unique flow, a testament to the fact that he covers a vast range of sounds.

Jelani has recently become the face of the new Tommy Jeans Crest Collection, following the Tommy Hilfiger Capsule Collection campaign which he featured in earlier this year alongside IAMDDB.