First, the Hyundai Mercury Prize Shortlist, and now an AIM Award winner. Moses Boyd continues to collect accolades and it’s no surprise.
The drummer, producer, composer and now UK Independent Breakthrough Artist of the Year brought his unique brand of jazz-trained percussion to the forefront of the industry with his latest album Dark Matter. Encapsulating his influences across many genres from gospel to soul, grime, hip hop, and punk, Boyd uses his eclectic musical background and experiences to experiment and develop music that is entirely his own.
As a constant champion for the independent music community, Boyd is often looking for new ways to lift up musicians and build a music culture that embraces artistic freedom and ownership.
In discussion with Music Week, Boyd states:
‘“The technological advancements over the past five years make it easier to do your own thing, but it’s still not easy,” said Boyd, who set up Exodus Recordings to release his music. “I’m seeing a lot more young artists being empowered by that and seeing it as an option, whereas when I started music it was kind of, like, you find a label and hope for the best. I didn’t want that.”’
His most recent album, Dark Matter, also takes influence from Boyd’s recent travels. Growing up in South London, the producer ventured to South Africa in 2017 to work on a project with the likes of Nonku Phiri, Manthe Ribane and DJ Lag. Boyd thrived off the energy and creative process and returned to London with a new lens that helped shape this masterful award-winning record.
Find the complete list of AIM Award winners here and listen to Dark Matter, out now.
