So So Gay
Every now and then, we stumble upon an artist who is genuinely exciting. Tunde Olaniran is one such example. Categorising this fascinating, eclectic singer-songwriter is not a task for the faint-hearted.
Indeed, Olaniran’s music transcends genres, in much the same way as his aesthetic style does. The multi-layered nature of Olaniran’s output is entirely reflective of his background. Born the son of a Christian Nigerian father and an American mother involved in social activism, he grew up in England, Germany and Nigeria before settling in Flint, Michigan. It was during Olaniran’s formative adolescent years here that he was exposed to a wide range of music, from urban to jazz to folk. And it shows.
Nowhere is Olaniran’s flair for sonic experimentation more transparent than on his 2006 debut album Infinite Modulation. This marathon 17-track album is a veritable ragu of musical genres. One minute you find yourself immersed in a full-on hip-hop vibe before the mood abruptly switches to Bollywood-infused R&B. Over the course of the album, there are also influences of classical, blues and jazz. Underpinning the album is a definite penchant for a heavy bass line and killer beats. This lends a sense of coherence to what, in theory, should be a disjointed affair. Instead, Infinite Modulation is a veritable aural delight.
Vocally, Olaniran demonstrates influences of Andre 3000, Usher and John Legend. However, he succeeds in never sounding like a mere copycat act. His voice is smooth and soulful yet incredibly feisty. His latest EP, The First Transgression provides further proof of Olaniran’s talent. The four-track collection includes ‘Cobra’, ‘Tiger Balm’ and ‘User Manual’, all of which you can listen to below. We challenge you not to be impressed by Olaniran’s irrepressible style.
Your potential appreciation of Tunde Olaniran’s unique and individual style will ultimately depend on your musical open-mindedness and, if you prefer your music more compartmentalised, a certain degree of patience may be required upon hearing his work for the first time. We feel that the return on this investment is substantial. Download, turn it up and enjoy.
You can follow Tunde Olaniran on Twitter: @tundeolaniran
Find out more on the official website.
Infinite Modulation and The First Transgression EP are available for download now.
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