Diverging from his contemplative comfort zone, Crooked paves an interesting new sonic path for mau from nowhere, led by feeling over thought. The mellow, minimal production blends afro-fusion rhythms with hypnotic chords and jazzy instrumental flourishes, evoking the excitement and allure of a fleeting romantic encounter. This serves as a perfect canvas for mau to shine at his best, combining witty lyrics, graceful flow, and a soft and soulful cadence that marries elements of R&B, Hip Hop, and Afro Fusion.
“I wrote Crooked soon after dropping my first album and moving to London. I was feeling quite adrift both personally and creatively and could feel this huge gap between the person who made the album and the person I am now. Things felt heavy and I honestly just wanted to feel hot and cool again so I just started messing around with some afrobeats and amapiano samples I downloaded to try and make something fun. At first, it felt like something I couldn’t sing/rap over but it gave me a good chance to explore a different side of myself as well as a different sound”
About Mau From Nowhere
Kenyan-British artist, mau from nowhere, charts an authentic and innovative creative journey, rapidly evolving his sonic identity. Raised in Nairobi, the UK, and the Netherlands, his music seamlessly fuses local influences with global sounds, drawing inspiration from “Outkast” to “Bloc Party. “Spanning hip-hop, R&B, and electronic elements, mau’s genre-blending style shines through his singles, a four-track EP, and his acclaimed album “The Universe is Holding You.”
Recognized as Apple Music’s East African Up Next artist in May 2023, mau’s collaborations transcend genres, offering a breath of fresh air in an industry saturated with convention. His serene and airy sound, departing from mainstream norms, strikes a harmonious balance between melodic raps and heartfelt lyrics, presenting a distinctive and rejuvenating perspective in a media-soaked landscape.
