Words by Deyanan Sehi
Photos instagram.com/misterfifou/
The Cameroonian-French singer James BKS graced streaming platforms with his newly released single, On My Way, on 7th February. This latest single serves as homage to his dynamic music journey, which began in his parents’ basement, where his PlayStation and ambitions fuelled the creation of his beats – an early testament to his innovation.
This single pushes the boundaries of a musical genre, embracing a fluid approach that fuses the upbeat percussions of amapiano with pop to embody a mantra of good faith and James BKS’ very own identity. The layered, vibrant harmonies of Bulu chants, not only representative of James BKS’ Cameroonian heritage, invites listeners on an emotional journey as he honours his journey as an artist from pivotal moments to greater milestones in his career such as his collaborations with artists such as Little Simz, Q-Tip and Yemi Alade as well as pronounced support from platforms such as Vogue, Rolling Stone and BBC Radio 1.
Listeners are also encouraged to reflect on their own personal journeys and honour their smaller triumphs. James BKS emphasises this through his own words, sharing his encouragement for his listeners to embark on their own reflective journey and experiences in this song – “the naivety, the grind and the quiet triumphs.”
With direct influencers from key American figures such as Kanye West and Quincy Jones, as well as Nigerian artists Omah Lay and Burna Boy, ‘On My Way’ bridges a medley of West African sounds and Western frameworks of pop that pushes West African sound to the forefront of modernity, bridging tradition with his creativity and innovation. James BKS repeats the line with “I’ll take you back to the beginning” to remind his listeners that growth is not linear, positioning this track as an anthem of perseverance.
His heritage is defined by pure talent, being the son of the late Manu Dibango. His talent speaks for itself in this self produced track alongside JOA and Roark Bailey. ‘On My Way’ is a self-produced key track in his upcoming album as it introduces the theme of identity and resilience wrapped in afro rhythms. To James BKS not only marks a raw confession of vulnerability, but is a bold statement in his music career. He is a reckoning force in afro-pop, who blends his experiences across three different continents to deliver something personal to create a sonic melange.
