Ibibio Sound Machine is an electronic group based in London. Singer Eno Williams sings in both her Nigerian family’s language of Ibibio as well as in English. The group’s music spreads messages of unity and bringing people together. That theme is present on their most recent album, Pull the Rope. Williams and Ibibio Sound Machine’s Max Grunhard talk about how their music unifies and Williams talks about her family's journey between Nigeria and London.

Ibibio Sound Machine is an electronic group based in London. Singer Eno Williams sings in both her Nigerian family’s language of Ibibio as well as in English. The group’s music spreads messages of unity and bringing people together. That theme is present on their most recent album, Pull the Rope. Williams and Ibibio Sound Machine’s Max Grunhard talk about how their music unifies and Williams talks about her family's journey between Nigeria and London.

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

On A Deeper Listen, host Emily Fox and other storytellers from KEXP talk with artists about the stories behind their songs and the experiences that inform their work. Through each conversation, we uncover the humanity behind the music, allowing us to hear it in a whole new way.

A Deeper Listen

Ibibio Sound Machine Creates Unity Through Music

After playing in a rock band and embarking on a solo career that has spanned many genres, Lawrence Rothman has released a country album. The album is personal—it processes their battle with anorexia, and violence they experienced after a show. Lawrence says he writes music to help others.

“I don't really step up to the mic and write a song or make a record for myself, unless there's something about it that can help someone else,” Rothman says.

After playing in a rock band and embarking on a solo career that has spanned many genres, Lawrence Rothman has released a country album. The album is personal—it processes their battle with anorexia, and violence they experienced after a show. Lawrence says he writes music to help others.
“I don't really step up to the mic and write a song or make a record for myself, unless there's something about it that can help someone else,” Rothman says.

Lawrence Rothman on Anorexia and Making Music To Help Others

Shabaka Hutchings is a celebrated saxophone player and a major figure in London’s contemporary jazz scene. He was the bandleader for Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors, and part of the electronic jazz group The Comet Is Coming. But on New Year's Day of 2023, he announced he'd be putting down the saxophone for good and focusing on a new instrument: the flute. Starting with the Japanese shakuhachi and expanding to a variety of traditional flutes, he's now out with his first full-length album under his solo moniker of Shabaka. The album is called 'Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace,' and features collaborations with Carlos Niño, Laraaji, Andre 3000, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding, Moses Sumney, and more.

Shabaka talks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili about his transition from saxophone to flute and how it’s helped him learn to release tension and relax into playing. He also discusses his thoughts on the term "Afrofuturism," how he’s embraced Octavia Butler's ideas on the inevitability of change, what it means to heal through music, and his search for meaning outside of a Western colonial paradigm.

Shabaka Hutchings is a celebrated saxophone player and a major figure in London’s contemporary jazz scene. He was the bandleader for Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors, and part of the electronic jazz group The Comet Is Coming. But on New Year's Day of 2023, he announced he'd be putting down the saxophone for good and focusing on a new instrument: the flute. Starting with the Japanese shakuhachi and expanding to a variety of traditional flutes, he's now out with his first full-length album under his solo moniker of Shabaka. The album is called 'Perceive Its Beauty, Acknowledge Its Grace,' and features collaborations with Carlos Niño, Laraaji, Andre 3000, Floating Points, Esperanza Spalding, Moses Sumney, and more.
Shabaka talks with KEXP’s Isabel Khalili about his transition from saxophone to flute and how it’s helped him learn to release tension and relax into playing. He also discusses his thoughts on the term "Afrofuturism," how he’s embraced Octavia Butler's ideas on the inevitability of change, what it means to heal through music, and his search for meaning outside of a Western colonial paradigm.

Shabaka Hutchings Relaxes Into Change

Alice Randall was the first Black woman to co-write a number one country hit with her song “XXX’s and OOO’s,” sung by Trisha Yearwood in 1994. Now, 30 years later, Randall is out with a memoir and accompanying album both called 'My Black Country.' The album features Black women artists of today covering country songs Randall wrote – songs that were originally sung by white performers – including Adia Victoria, Valerie June, and Rhiannon Giddens of The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Randall talks with Emily Fox about her music, life, career and about the other Black country artists that came before her.

Alice Randall was the first Black woman to co-write a number one country hit with her song “XXX’s and OOO’s,” sung by Trisha Yearwood in 1994. Now, 30 years later, Randall is out with a memoir and accompanying album both called 'My Black Country.' The album features Black women artists of today covering country songs Randall wrote – songs that were originally sung by white performers – including Adia Victoria, Valerie June, and Rhiannon Giddens of The Carolina Chocolate Drops.
Randall talks with Emily Fox about her music, life, career and about the other Black country artists that came before her.

Ibibio Sound Machine Creates Unity Through Music

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