Ninja Kidsoul - Never Really Gone (EP) + 10 Questions
Photo Credit: Florian Thoss
Ninja Kidsoul has managed to keep all kinds of music lovers hyped over the course of the many years since his initial COLORS session in 2016. Despite being discussed as one of the pioneers of New German Soul by ARTE Tracks 2018 and having played Montreux Jazz Festival in 2022, the musical pioneer has never released his own project - until now.
While fans recently only had the pleasure of hearing new music through collaborations on other Kabul Fire releases – like agajon’s nag champa (Sep. 2023, KFR) – the neo-soulster is finally able to announce the upcoming release of his debut EP.
“somewhere in the zone / that’s where you’ll find me”, sings Ninja’s in one of the track’s many addictive hooks. Inspired by his love for 70s funk, agajon’s detailed production compliments Ninja Kidsoul’s sonic storytelling and undeniable vocal agility.
Inspired by his love for the likes of J Dilla/Madlib (‘Gap Shit’), Frank Ocean (‘Reckless’) or Sergio Mendes (‘Face 2 Face’), or 70s Funk (‘Zone’), Ninja Kidsoul proves that he’s always been an artist, who’s dedicated to finding “a frequency sound of music that hasn’t been touched yet” – to put it in his words. Never Really Gone is the first, conceptual result of that dedication - shared and therefore produced as a whole by agajon. In that sense, this EP very much manifests what quality and standard can be brought to art when two artists sync their unique languages into creating a soundboard that one can cherish but not really replicate.
Ninja Kidsoul sat down with Wordplay Magazine to answer our infamous 10 Questions:
1. So tell me, how did it all begin? What sparked your love for music?
It all started with my grandmother taking me to church with her. She was part of a choir back when I was 5. It was also her who introduced me too Motown (The Temptations) & helped me perfect my skills.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Tyler the Creator, Frank Ocean, Drake, Common Sense, D’Angelo, Raleigh Ritchie, Currency, Little Brother and Lupe Fiasco have greatly influenced me til this day.
Also Musiq Soulchild, Ryan Leslie, Cleo Sol, J. Cole, Gaidaa, Malaya, Jay Prince, Moruf, Iman Omari are artists I would truly enjoy working with.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
Currently not really working on anything specifically. I recently started up on this loop project, that I’m hoping to get done by the end of the year.
There are a few amazing artists that are dropping their projects in the near future and I’m hoping to catch a few features.
4. How would you describe your sound?
I would describe it as being a colour that has not yet been added into this pool of musical consciousness.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Performing in front of my son.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
I’d say believe in yourself and stay focused also try to find some type of structure that suits you well.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Gaidaa, Malaya, Qu, Agajon, Black Star.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Tyler The Creators - Call Me If You Get Lost
Little Brother - The Listening
Cleo Sol - Rose in the Dark
Frank Ocean - Nostalgia Ultra
J. Cole Friday - Night Lights
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Spend time with family, Sport Activities such as basketball and Play Video Games,
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
I don’t need anything really!