Space Afrika
Space Afrika | |
|---|---|
 SPACE AFRIKA, Photograph by GLAUCO CANALIS | |
| Background information | |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2014-present |
| Label | Dais |
| Members | Joshua Inyang Joshua Tarelle Reid |
| Website | https://space-afrika.bandcamp.com/music |
Space Afrika are an ambient electronic music duo consisting of longtime friends Joshua Tarelle Reid and Joshua Inyang. Both artists are from the city of Manchester in England.[1]
History
[edit]Reid and Inyang began releasing music in 2014. Their sound is heavily influenced by dub-techno. They released their debut album Above The Concrete/Below The Concrete in 2014.[2]
Their second album, Somewhere Decent to Live was released in 2018.[3]
In 2020 they released hybtwibt?, a mixtape produced in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. All proceeds from this project were donated to associated groups from the BLM movement.[2][4][5][6]
After the release of their third album Honest Labour (2021) on Dais Records, Space Afirka garnered critical attention. The duo were recognised to be part of a movement of Salford and Manchester-based artists in connection with The White Hotel club and seen to be spearheading a revitalised experimental music scene in the north-west region of England. Other artists of note included aya, Blackhaine, Rainy Miller, Afrodeutsche and Iceboy Violet. Honest Labour was awarded DJ Mag's Album of The Month.[7][8][9][2][5][10]
In 2023 they released A Grisaille Wedding, a collaborative album with Rainy Miller featuring collaborations with artists including Mica Levi, Coby Sey and Richie Culver.[11][12][13][14][15][16]
In August 2025, Space Afrika began a collaboration with the filmmaker Valentin Noujaïm to create a multidisciplinary film project, Opera Omnia.[17] Opera Omnia will eventually be performed to a live audience at the Manchester Camerata at Manchester’s Factory International.[17]
On 9 June 2026, Space Afrika released the single "If This Is Hell", featuring Deuén, as the lead single for their fourth studio album, Quiet Storm.[18] The album is scheduled for release on 25 September 2026 through Dais Records.[18] The album was inspired by conceptual artist Glenn Ligon's work Figure #30 (2009) and explores themes surrounding identity, class, and diaspora.[18][19] The album was described as incorporating elements of trip hop, jazz, ambient, modern classical, and techno; and features contributions from Klein, Kelly Moran, Tony Njoku, RXKNephew, Vanessa Bedoret, and Deuén.[19]
References
[edit]- ↑ Dazed (2023-06-14). "Space Afrika: the ambient noise duo putting Manchester on high alert". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- 1 2 3 "Space Afrika curate: Manchester's experimental scene". The Face. 2021-03-12. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "Space Afrika - walking around Manchester at crazy hours of the night". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "hybtwibt?, by Space Afrika". Space Afrika. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- 1 2 "The Rates: ambient duo Space Afrika discuss their under-appreciated artists, new and old". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Joyce, Colin. "Space Afrika: hybtwibt?". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Adjei-Kontoh, Hubert. "Space Afrika: Honest Labour". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Muggs, Joe (2021-08-20). "Manchester's Space Afrika: 'We're totally ourselves – Black artists in the 21st century'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "Album of the Month: Space Afrika 'Honest Labour'". DJ Mag. 2021-08-20. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "The North West's underground music scene is thriving". The Face. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Dazed (2023-11-20). "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika are finding light in the darkness". Dazed. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika chase silver linings". www.documentjournal.com. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Lewis, Dash. "Rainy Miller / Space Afrika: A Grisaille Wedding". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika – A Grisaille Wedding". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Quietus, The (2023-09-14). "Rainy Miller And Space Afrika Team Up On New Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
- ↑ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (2023-09-14). "Rainy Miller, Space Afrika Combine On Collaborative Project | News". Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews & Interviews. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - 1 2 Manchester, About (2025-08-28). "An evening of boundary-pushing music and art rooted in Manchester". About Manchester. Retrieved 2025-09-22.
- 1 2 3 Hussain, Shahzaib (2026-06-09). "Space Afrika Detail New Album 'Quiet Storm' | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2026-06-15.
- 1 2 Eede, Christian (2026-06-09). "Space Afrika Return with New LP, 'Quiet Storm'". The Quietus. Retrieved 2026-06-09.