Norwich-Based Rapper $ebbuku Displays Authenticity & Depth New EP ‘Affray’

Norwich based 19-year-old rapper and producer $ebbuku (the brainchild of Sebastian Bates) showcases a depthy musical understanding with some brilliant musicality on the radiant new EP, 'Affray'.

Having honed his craft over four years, $ebbuku’s reputation has grown steadily, bolstered by support from platforms like BBC Introducing. His music journey began during some of his most challenging times, channeling his personal stories and experiences into his work. Known for his passion for vinyl sampling, $ebbuku’s hands-on approach is evident in every beat and lyric.

‘Affray’ encapsulates $ebbuku’s radiant yet unique style, blending meticulous sampling with a fresh sound reminiscent of old-school hip-hop. The EP’s tracks are characterized by their expressive, hypnotic flow, coupled with an intense energy that captures listeners from the first beat.

$ebbuku shared the inspiration and hard work behind 'Affray'. "I first started work on ‘Affray’ about two years ago when I was in a really testing situation. I was in my second year of college, working at a music venue in the city, and sleeping on my best mate’s/drummer’s sofa so I could do all of this as much as possible. Writing this project became my main outlet for expressing my frustration with situations that were going on around me at home and socially, whilst trying to survive as an artist and not taking the easy route through life."

$ebbuku’s dedication to his craft is evident in his commitment to creating music that resonates with authenticity and raw energy. "I spent hours every week writing demos that evoked the raw energy I wanted to push, telling stories about feelings and circumstances that I’ve been through. I wanted to write something that had the same ‘oomph’ as my live shows so me and the band could take it straight from the studio to the stage. I took the approach of getting hands-on with old-school mixing and chopping. This put the rawness into the music that I craved."

Influenced by hip-hop legends like Ice-T and LL Cool J, $ebbuku infused his love for heavy dub and Boom-Bap into 'Affray'. "All of the tracks ended up being recorded at my home studio with the visuals for the lead single ‘Set Your Soul Free’ being filmed in my childhood home, mixing old footage of me breakdancing in the kitchen and myself and the band now, capturing how all of the project is homegrown Hip-Hop. Love for the culture came from birth and it feels great to put out something I know I would have loved as a kid."

'Affray' is not just an EP; it’s a bold statement from a young artist whose authenticity shine through every track.

Listen below: