Nigerian-born, UK-based artist Raphael moved to his home city of London when he was 11. His passion for music was informed by his surroundings and inspired an already sparking talent for writing. Making his debut in 2023, the artist has kept this love for sound at the centre of his artistry, something that has continued right up until now, with the release of his debut project, 7 AM.
Raphael brings fans seven mystical tracks for his debut album, introducing more of his unique pop aesthetics as gorgeous strings, delicate pianos and wonderous synth design build rich sonic palaces. 7 AM traverses a spectrum of energy, from the pounding drums and high-octane performances of ‘Vitamin U’ and ‘Love Is Money’, to the more emotive, subdued progression of ‘Dreams’ and ‘Fight’.
The ebb and flow of passionate delivery captures similar emotional tales across the soundtrack, the lyricism of worldly observations and personal journey key to the project’s overarching perspective.
Raphael explains some of the themes that preside across the project, “I write about relationships, exclusivity, mental health, self – medication and finding spirituality in a material world. By sharing my experiences, I hope my story can be of value to someone in a similar situation.
7 AM is the time most people wake up. My music is about rising to the occasion of life and choosing to make the most of it. Musically, the album is comprised of seven songs that I composed in the key of A Minor, hence the title 7 AM.“
Supercharging his personality with the idea of energising his audience, Raphael’s music is filled with a performative nature. Raphael’s battles with optimism reside within the resounding synth pulses and plucky orchestration, offering the opportunity for listeners to engage with their spiritual journey. It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity of the day-to-day, but Raphael finds new meanings and is on a mission to share them with the world.
Listen to ‘7 AM’ here…
