$ebbuku announces the new EP JUVENILE and shares the beguiling, infectious new single ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’.

The brainchild of Norwich based rapper and producer Sebastian Bates, ‘Ignorance Is Bliss’ highlights the blend of live instrumentation, inventive production and expressive, intense flow which stylises $ebbuku’s sound.

Recorded with his live band, the track brings together a sprawling soundscape of sampling, modulated piano, live drums, deep sub bass, subtle scratches and dappled synths under Seb’s stylistic, pointed, angsty rapping. The result is a sound which brings together elements of jazz, punk and funk into an unique and innovative hip-hop package.

Speaking about the track, Seb explains: “To me, Ignorance Is Bliss is one massive vent. The world seems to have changed so much since I was a kid but it also feels like nothing has changed at all. It’s still the same struggles as before, I think people are just numb from being kicked around by higher powers. Making this track gave myself and the crew a chance to actually express the frustration through Hip-hop and Jazz whilst maintaining the overall ‘kick back’ attitude.

It’s also the first track we’ve managed to record almost completely live, allowing us to capture our stage-bound sound and trap it in a studio mix. For a song so rooted in agro, working with a more orchestral, jazz infused sound was such a wicked change from the normal ‘rowdy shouty’. For this next project we just want to keep it real and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”

Having made a name for himself on his local scene, $ebbuku (Sebastian Bates) has gained early support from the likes of Reprezent, DMY, Earmilk, God Is In The TV and Notion among others. Playing packed out shows across the East of the UK and at festivals including Brighten The Corners, $ebbuku has also performed live and been interviewed on BBC Local News.

With a new EP on the horizon, $ebbuku is an artist on the rise, ready to take his music to new heights.