Mura Masa: Artist of the Week

Bio

Name: Alex Crossan

D.O.B: 5 April 1996

P.O.B: Castel, Guernsey

Occupation: Music Producer

Genre: Art Pop, Alt R&B, Nu-disco, Worky Pop

With two Grammy nominations this year for best dance/electronic album and best art work/sleeve/packaging for his debut album as well as collaborations with the likes of A$AP Rocky, Charlie XCX and Damon Albarn (Gorillaz) the only way is up for Mura Masa. This Guernsey-born producer was exposed to music at a young age with his father playing in various bands and his mother working as a band manager. Crossan performed with gospel and punk bands but he discovered a love for electronic music at the age of 15. When hearing "The Wilheim Scream" by James Blake, Alex Crossan learned that electronic music could evoke real emotion and was not only "club music".

Mura Masa mainly produces his music at home on his laptop and his breakout single "Firefly" featuring Nao was produced in his university dorm room. He admits to booking the coveted Abbey Road recording studio 2, where the likes of The Beatles have recorded music, just to impress A$AP Rocky and create the right atmosphere for the production of "Love$ick".

Alex Crossan's stage name Mura Masa is taken from a traditional Japanese sword smith, this Japanese influence is heavily used in "Soundtrack to Death" his first EP. The EP is narrative as the use of the Japanese flute and oriental pentatonics are used to tell a story of life and rebirth which is evident in songs such as "Lotus Eater". The song "Shibuya" reflects the hustle and bustle of the commercial center in Tokyo with fast flute melodies and a trinkling piano. In an interview with Julie Adenuga of Beats 1 Apple Music, Crossan described his debut album as " a collection of cultural moments" rather than a narrative, this is seen through the large variation in the types of artists that feature in the album.

Mura Masa describes himself as a "student of culture" as he believes that it is important to research a genre before hastily sampling a song. With the access the internet gives young producers to music all across the world, Mura Masa has found a way to keep his music authentic through respecting and understanding the various cultural influences in his music. Mura Masa's music ranges from songs of late night introspection to songs that can be played at a club. He has music for everyone and every occasion which displays a maturity far beyond his 22 years.

My 5 Picks

U Never Call Me ft Jadu Heart

Miss You

Nuggets ft Bonzai

Helpline ft Tom Tripp

¥ ( Money)

Mura Masa is performing at the Rocking the Daisies Festival this year in Cape Town which is from 5-7 October. If you like what you hear, check out the link below to book yourself a ticket!

https://rockingthedaisies.com/tickets/

Listen on Apple Music:

https://itunes.apple.com/za/playlist/mura-masa/pl.u-b3b8VGgFylV460M

Please comment and let us know what you think!!!