Singer/rapper Tunde Olaniran’s music eludes easy description. His voice skyrockets into the heavens with gravity-defying aplomb while his lyrics maintain an earthbound consciousness that is the very definition of “keeping it real.” The arrangements are a melange of sugar, spice, and spikes — so even his most pointed barbs go down smoothly. Thus far we’ve had the pleasure of hearing last year’s Yung Archetype EP, but now Olaniran’s announced his debut full-length, which will see release later this summer.
Transgressor comes out on August 7 via Quiet Scientific Records, and promises to highlight the artist’s idiosyncratic blend of genres and embodiment of the personal made political. Advance single “Namesake,” with its blown-out HudMo-style fanfare, tinny-trappy snare rolls, and rapid/spit-fire verses alternating against an angst-ridden chorus, could at first resemble an outtake from Yeezus, but peer beneath the surface and you’ll see that Olaniran’s offering up something original.
Get a taste of Tunde Olaniran’s forthcoming album by streaming “Namesake” below. You can also pre-order Transgressor here. Catch Olaniran in the flesh on June 27 in Flint at Riverfront Park’s Pride in the Park.