- Words Notion Staff
- Photography Babajide Osho and Joeyturks
Ghanaian collective SuperJazzClub talk surrealistic gig experiences, playing Cross The Tracks and seeing the craziest dance moves in France.
Accra-based creative collective SuperJazzClub are a group of diverse and individual young creatives who have come together in unison to express their shared values for good music and a passion for art. Set to release their latest EP, Monochrome Radio, next month, the Ghanaian music group bring soul and old-school R&B beats to the forefront of the Afro-fusion game.
The creative collective aims to produce outside of regular conventions, building a strong reputation of creativity and precision, especially when crafting their latest single, ‘OFF’. Produced by three of the group’s members, Øbed, Ansah Live, and Duke, the track starts with a subtle hip-hop beat, layered with soft, melodic vocals before growing into a percussive and constantly evolving song oscillating between tempos, genres, and vibes.
Speaking about their upcoming EP, Øbed references another single, ‘911’, saying that it wasn’t “A direct translation of what we were listening to at that time,” but rather a collection of the shared mindset between the group and drawing upon the greats like Justin Timberlake and Pharrell.
SuperJazzClub kicked off their career strong and the future is only looking brighter. With EPs dropping and headlines nearing, is there anything they’re incapable of? For now, kick back, stick on ‘911’, and transport yourself to Accra, Ghana where it all began for SuperJazzClub: the vibrant, bright, and groovy collective we think you need to get to know a little better.
Congratulations on your new single, ‘911’. It’s an effortlessly groovy track that travels through dub reggae, hip-hop and soul. Who were you listening to while making the track and how do you think they influenced the vibe?
Øbed: Thanks for checking the new music out! When it came to the influences that went into making ‘911’, I wouldn’t say there was a direct translation of what we were listening to at that time. It was a culmination of what headspace we were in that helped churn out what it became. But it was a lot of Brandy, Sade, Osibisa, Justin Timberlake, Jodeci, Ofori Amponsah & Pharrell.
We love the performance video you’ve released for the single, it’s so beautifully shot. How do you think it reflects the context of the song?
Tano Jackson: Our mood board had a lot of Hype Williams all over it, especially his movie ‘Belly’ but we also looked at Snoop Dogg and Pharrell’s ‘Drop It like It’s Hot’. Our goal was to tap into the Y2K visual aesthetic. So, in regards to the context, it’s the sonics of the sound marinating [with] the visual aesthetic from that era to convey the message of the record.
Does your music come more from moments of improvisation or do you plan your art more methodically?
Øbed: I don’t think there is one way that works for how music is created. Somedays you want to think of an idea and execute it. Then other times you want to let the rivers flow naturally. For us, it’s been a spontaneous process; we believe that music is a god-given skill that comes to us as we go about our day.
What are three things that make SuperJazzClub super?
BiQo:The three things that make SuperJazzClub “super” are:
- Our diverse individual backgrounds
- Our pace-setting position knowing where we come from
- Being chosen even before we knew it.
This month, you’ll be taking to the stage at Cross The Tracks in London. How are you feeling about it and what defines the energy of a SuperJazzClub gig?
BiQo: We are elated to bring our sound and energy to a festival as vibrant as Cross the Tracks. The SJC energy at a gig is based on surrealism. We make our audience feel like they are on a rollercoaster ride at Six Flags.
Ansah Live: We are super excited to play Cross The Tracks. It’s a festival that plays host to a wide range of music and performers and nothing feels better than us being able to do what we love and watch the other artists do the same. Some of our favourite artists have played at this festival, so we’re gassed that this year we get to experience it too. What defines the energy at a SuperJazzClub gig is that we get to hop on these stages and play together in the same way we envisioned a few years ago.
In which cities have you experienced the craziest dance moves at a SuperJazzClub show? What made them so special?
Seyyoh: The craziest dance moves had to be at the Musique Métisses Festival in Angoulême, a small city in the South of France. The audience wasn’t very familiar with us but as soon as we got on the stage, they danced and sang along to every song we performed. It was special because although that was the first time most of them had heard of us, they were engaged and pulled out all the dance moves. Also, we met a Ghanaian there which was pretty awesome.
Who are two artists, one past and one present, that you would love to work with?
Ansah Live: That’s a really tough one. For an artist from the past, I’d say Prince and presently, Fred again..
Three travel tips for Accra, Ghana? Where’s best for some food, a drink and a boogie later on?
Joeyturks: Accra is a beautiful and bustling city, yet it’s also a fun place to be. However, due to heavy traffic, it’s important to plan ahead. For example, if you want to go out, you should leave home at least an hour in advance to avoid delays. You always have to keep your eyes open because you might randomly meet your idol on the streets [of Accra]. One of the best places to enjoy food, drinks, and lively nights at once is the Republic Bar, located in Osu. You’ll absolutely love it there!
What’s been your biggest achievement and challenge so far in 2024?
All: Our biggest achievement has to be seeing the impact our music has on the listeners. Our music has its own way of filling the void that is desperately needed in people’s lives. DJ Dibs recently told us that our song ‘Paradise’ relieves her of headaches. It’s really nice to hear such words and to know we can help in the smallest ways. Thankfully for 2024 we haven’t faced any challenge yet, and it’s all because of the team behind us. We have a dedicated group helping us steer the ship in the right direction.
What’s next for SuperJazzClub? With this single out in the open, what else have you got coming up in the near future?
Seyyoh: We’ve got some exciting things planned for the next couple of months. We’ve been working on our next body of work and of course, we’re booked to perform at Cross the Tracks Festival. In October, we’re going on our very first European headline tour and we’re really looking forward to that! Come and catch us live in cities across Europe if you’re there.