Live Review: Channel Tres & JPEGMAFIA give a nod to Isaac Hayes on 'Black Moses'

As we edge closer and closer to Friday, August 16, CHANNEL TRES is easing our patiently waiting souls with another taste of his forthcoming second EP, Black Moses. He's today given us the album's title track, and it sees him collaborating with JPEGMAFIA.

Channel is just wrapping up his second stint in Australia where he played a thrilling set at Splendour In The Grass, opened for the GOAT himself, Childish Gambino AND performed to sold-out crowds at his Sydney and Melbourne sideshows (which by the way, we had a damn good time at). Bringing with him all of the tracks we know and love off his self-titled debut, as well as a few singles from the new EP, including 'Black Moses', he once again proved to us why he's one of the most exciting and in-demand names in music right now.

The track itself is a nod to Isaac Hayes, the American soul artist who struggled to grip this nickname that had been thrust upon him, but later came to see it as a powerful symbol of black pride.

"Chains that once represented bondage and slavery now can be a sign of power and strength and sexuality and virility."

Whilst nodding to the history of Channel and his sound, the track also sees him navigate a complex new-found sense of responsibility he's feeling for his family and community. JPEGMAFIA's addition to the track is an apt one, and sees him bring reinforced grit to the table, taking Channel's idea and inspiration for the track and wholeheartedly running with it.

Produced by Godmode's Nick Sylvester, there's a light-hearted air of psychedelia about this one, allowing for a crisp juxtaposition between Channel's monotonous, baritone vocal and the bouncy instrumental.

'Black Moses' marks a new era for Channel and his brand of socially conscious yet contemporarily apt sounds. Only a few more weeks until the EP will be with us.

Words by CAITLIN MEDCALF

LISTEN TO MORE NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

CHANNEL TRES’ SYDNEY SHOW WAS A REMINDER OF HOUSE & HIP-HOP’S DIVERSE BEGINNINGS

CHANNEL TRES CHALLENGES BLACK, MALE STEREOTYPES IN HIS ‘SEXY BLACK TIMBERLAKE’ CLIP

CHANNEL TRES PAIRS DEEP HOUSE & DUB ON ‘BRILLIANT N***A’