Afro-futurist sensations Onipa announce forthcoming album Off The Grid; share ‘No Commando’

Shot around Accra in Ghana — where Onipa co-founder K.O.G.’s heritage lies — and featuring the vocals of David Walters, it’s the first taste of their newest album.

Off the Grid is a journey that joins the origin story of dance rhythms from Africa to electronic dance music of today’s clubs and festivals, connecting African folklore and storytelling to rap, jazz and hip hop.

The twin creative forces behind Onipa — Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist) and Kweku Sackey (K.O.G. & the Zongo Brigade) — together with Finn Booth on drums and Dwayne Kilvington (a.k.a. Wonky Logic) on synths, have built a life-affirming and highly original world of sound.

Off The Grid is the band’s second full-length album, and first release on Real World Records, featuring an impressive cast of collaborators including Moonchild Sanelly, David Walters, Dele Sosimi and Theon Cross.

Tom Excell explains further: “The album represents a search for freedom from corruption, from mental and financial burdens and from technology that disempowers and divides. The sacred power of music allows us all a chance to transcend our worries and our egos. A deep respect for those that came before us, a duty of care towards the imprint we leave the next generation and a love of the earth that we live on. This album seeks to trace sound origins and traditions of Africa and highlight their importance in the global soundscapes of the present and future.”

Speaking on ‘No Commando’ and recalling the lyrics he explains: “No Commando is about peace. A call for ‘oneness’ and a look at where ‘sources originate’. Seeing how the power of community can dispel fear and help us to express ourselves with ‘calm’ and ‘ease’.

“The track was recorded with recycled metals, pots and pans for drums, a wooden spoon guitar. A musical interpretation of the concept; One person’s rubbish is another’s treasure. Working with David is always a joy. His poetic lyricism resonated with the concepts we explore on Off the Grid.”

Explaining the story of the album’s front cover, K.O.G. adds: “The small boy in the photo is from a tribe living by the sea, as off the grid as you can be — although not by choice. The rising sea level has devastated his community. All their homes have been taken by the sea. That photo is a shot from the front line of climate change.”

Off The Grid is out October 6th, 2023 on Real World Records. The first single, ‘No Commando (feat. David Walters)’ is available now on all digital platforms.