Out 1st July, “Bata Boy” is the debut single from Lakuta, the Brighton-based ensemble who signed to Tru Thoughts earlier this year. This single precedes the album ‘Brothers & Sisters’ which drops 12th August and is produced by the renowned Nick Faber.

The lead single “Bata Boy” is a bubbling afrobeat number which will be released alongside two remixes: a funky rework from Steve Cobby (who co-founded Fila Brazillia and has been championed by Fact, Pitchfork & The Guardian, and produced remixes for Radiohead, Busta Rhymes, Moloko and more), and a debonair dub cut from Tru Thoughts label-mate Wrongtom.

Lakuta is fronted by a powerful duo: Tanzanian-Kenyan vocalist Siggi Mwasote and percussionist and songwriter Cicely Taylor. Before joining Lakuta, Siggi grew up singing in choirs and a jazz trio, made dance records and has previous experience performing with the revered English National Opera. Band-leader Cicely’s classical background and penchant for Cuban, Brazilian and Ghanaian music has been a driving force behind her musical passions since she can remember. “I listened to tonnes of traditional music like samba, rumba, kpanlogo etc., as well as modern styles” Cicely explains; “In particular I became interested in those artists creating fusions of musical styles, like Chico Science.”

Immersing themselves in their musical and multi-cultural heritages, the Brighton-based collective have roots that run through Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Malaysia, Spain and the UK. The name Lakuta originates from Siggi's mother tongue and translates from Swahili to mean ‘to find, meet, share or feel full’. Conducting a fusion of musical styles, Lakuta draw on their rich jazz, funk, soul and world music backgrounds to unearth a dynamic conversation that explores and shares both modern and traditional approaches.
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