London’s record label Tempa has unveiled its first release in nearly a decade with a new three-track EP from Slikback called ‘Data’. The experimental EP fuses different elements of bass, trap, and techno but still nods to Tempa’s dubstep roots. Marking the first release for the label since 2016 and the long-awaited return has been warmly welcomed by fans. Last year, after over eight years of dormancy, the pioneering dubstep label made their entire back catalog available on Bandcamp, which included over 100 albums, singles, and EPs released spanning almost 25 years.
Slikback noted, “I am super honored to release through a label that has been a significant part of what has shaped me as an artist.” He goes on to credit the label for grasping his attention when he was still a student, adding it’s surreal to release through the same label years later. The artist was born in Kenya and has since been considered one of the leading electronic artists from Africa.
In 2000, Neil Jolliffe created Tempa, which is recognized as a top bass label to emerge in the UK early 2000. He was thought to have coined the genre dubstep. The records released by the label have come from reputable artists like Skream, J:Kenzo, SP:MC, and Benga, making it one of the most influential labels in the genre.
Tempa’s back catalog is a treasure trove of almost 25 years of dub, grime, and dubstep, often acknowledged as the reason that the UK’s music scene stands superior today. The short three tracks from Slikback’s ‘Data’ may be a new direction for the label, but we strongly believe it will always follow the same goal, to make music that not only sounds incredible but to make a statement.
The artwork for Slikback’s EP features graphic elements that connect with the music and release’s name. Listening to ‘Data’ shows the artist’s experimentation, taking the genre out of its boundaries. The return of Tempa is warming our hearts already, it shows that they come back stronger, better, and like never before
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