Kinwu & Koan the alias - Live From The Metropolis (Single) + 10 Questions
Following the release of ‘SUMAK’, the debut single on Tice Cin’s Neoprene Genie, Kinwu and Koan the alias, return with ‘LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS’, the title track from their forthcoming EP. A disorienting, high-velocity collision of sound and rap, ‘LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS’ unpacks the duo’s back-to-back interpretations of navigating a transient superstructure, unfolding in bursts of movement, observation and abstraction.
Building on the duo’s reputation for immersive sonics, ‘LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS’ operates like a found transmission from a fractured city, one that is both hyperreal and surreal, tangible and elusive. Kinwu’s production moves through shape-shifting textures, while Koan the alias, delivers a razor-sharp narrative, a soundtrack for the fall of the Library of Alexandria, and an urgent broadcast from a metropolis in flux. Kinwu steps up on the second verse with a poetic call to community, retracing the city’s pathways back to each other.
Kinwu describes the single as “back-to-back interpretations from Koan and I, on moving through a transient superstructure.” Koan reflects on the experimental track, “Out of the rumbling belly of the City of London. This song comes with two questions - have I ever heard something like this, and how many times did I just listen to it?”
The single drops with a range of visuals produced by Neoprene Genie, a single cover photo by Peri Cimen, and a music film directed by Tice Cin. The film flickers between stolen moments and dreamlike distortions, heightening the surrealism of the cityscape. In her director's statement Tice shares,
“I wanted to create an ecological response to LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS, capturing a city as both a natural body and built world. The visual traces its ephemera - something we’re part of but can’t fully grasp. Koan the alias stars as our ‘golem,’ an alien presence shaped by the city yet ultimately powering down from it. Golems are statically tied to the metropolis, but through his movements, I wanted to show how they remain disconnected - belonging to the city under the city. Kinwu is someone he knows, and they can link up in a space that is both theirs and not theirs.”
Alongside the music video, there is also a captivating performance visual shot by interdisciplinary artist Pyro, capturing the duo’s presence against the backdrop of an urban sprawl. His performance video for ‘LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS’. Part of the creative house One Duo in Fourt, Pyro has worked on campaigns for Depop, Converse and more, bringing his distinctive cinematic eye to each project. As an actor, he has starred in music videos and films for artists including James Blake and Mount Kimbie.
‘LIVE FROM THE METROPOLIS’ is the next step in world-builders Kinwu and Koan the alias’s evolving sonic and visual language, a document of the city, a myth in the making.
Koan the alias 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?
My dad's music was loud and heavy and expressive. I liked it, but it was always too loud. When I was able to turn the volume down and listen in my own time is when I learnt to love it. Capleton, Sizzla, So Solid Crew, Biggie.
There was a day in primary school where we could bring in toys. Instead of toys I brought in a CD player with Snoop Dogg - ‘Tha Last Meal’ and sat in the corner drawing. That was an early sign that music meant a lot to me.
2. Who are some artists that influence you and that you want to work with in the future?
Someone I had to have a break from was MIKE because he's got that infectious pocket, like being in a slipstream, and I didn’t want to start copying him. I’m influenced by artists where the delivery disguises the intricacies of the patterns and the calibre of writing. Jesse James Solomon, John Glacier, Cities Aviv, and Earl Sweatshirt + progeny fit into this sphere of influence. Like a Rothko. What appears monotone has plenty of tones for those who see.
I always enjoyed rapping, I had no choice, poetry is the poor man's therapy. I was purging with rhyming syllables. But the person who gave me the confidence to start purging publicly, with the monotone multisyllabic schemes and missing whole bars like I do now, was Giggs.
Hearing people approach a song in a way I wouldn’t influences me to try new things, i.e. Valee, Zeelooperz, Pa Salieu, Frank Ekwa. Someone like Valee works to be influenced by because I’ll never copy his style or content, only the sentiment. There's something in synchronising the lackadaisical US approach with the grime-inspired stickiness of the UK that I enjoy. Like a bittersweet negroni. Like Mach-Hommy.
billy woods emboldened me to stay where I want on a beat and own it. I hope to reach a level of writing where it would make sense to work together.
In terms of production, the Alchemist is number one for me. I’m influenced by how he adapts but never follows, he's on trend but not following trends. So many years in and still fresh. Egoless production.
Koan the alias is a genre-agnostic entity. Producers I’m influenced by and would like to work with include; Actress, Anysia Kim, MoMa Ready, Kiran Kai, Galcher Lustwerk, Joy Orbison, _BY.ALEXANDER, Overmono, Dean Blunt, TYSON, Jamie Isaac, emil, Mike Skinner.
Wildcard: Estelle. Imagine that.
3. What projects do you have coming up and can you give us any info on them?
About to drop an EP with Kinwu. It sounds like it was created live, from the metropolis.
I have another full project which is slower bpm and more bass heavy which will come out late this year. Some collaborative singles. As well as some freestyles. A couple of these songs have visuals shot already.
4. How would you describe your sound?
I would describe it as oil paint. It's heavy. It takes its time. It has depth. The canvas dictates the palette. The strokes can fill the frame fully or make loose abstract marks. It works well with layers, it blends well, or it can stick out. The tone and volume of my speaking voice disappears when the beat drops and whether I like it or not this gravelly force rises from my belly, through my throat, and into the mic with power and precision.
I think some producers hear my voice and think the sound should be equally heavy but I feel as comfortable skipping on something light, or sparse. I feel the contrast is healthy and helps with comprehension because I speak in riddles - hence the name. And to appreciate the unpredictable pockets and entendres.
I like to rehearse a song in my own time, editing for clarity then recording in one take. Leave a couple frayed edges, a deep breath, a slight misprounnciation.
My intention is to captivate, and to have enough range in how I approach a beat to make a language barrier irrelevant.
5. What's your proudest moment to date so far as an artist?
Recording freestyles in a Kenyan village.
6. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be trying to play the mad game of music?
Not yet. If you are creative and music is a way you express yourself then you will have no choice but to make music. Playing the game is something else, and I don’t play many games, sorry.
7. Are there any artists on your radar right now that we should check out?
Kinwu.
8. What albums are on heavy rotation on your Spotify playlist currently?
Bricknasty - XONGZ (on repeat)
Zeelooperz - Dear Psilocybin
James Massiah - True Romance
MIKE - Showbiz!
Kiran Kai - Ariel Blue
9. What do you like to do when you're not making music?
Eating the best food and enjoying the journey of finding it. #KoanthonyBourdain
10. Name Three things you can't live without when in the studio?
Water / sencha, my phone, tissues (hayfever).