Proklaim – DE JAVU (2025)
One of the most exciting things about my work is the constant discovery of new bands, whether they be newbies or seasoned veterans. Then again, it is the fact that I can hear several genres in a single afternoon is fantastic. From classic rock to disco, punk to soul, there is a new journey lurking around every play button. Today, I have the pleasure of listening to a firm favourite at The Other Side Reviews, singer-songwriter Proklaim. You might have come across his music on our pages with the Afrobeat-tinged ‘CELEBRATE’ to the RnB-infused ‘BIEVENIDOS’; today, we’re taking a listen to his new single, ‘DE JAVU’.
Following the well-received single, ‘CELEBRATE’, Proklaim takes another step into 2025 with ‘DE JAVU’. Recorded and produced at Pen Pushaz studios, with mixing and mastering by long-time collaborator Wojtek Majewski at Audio Art Namibia, ‘DE JAVU captures the heart of vintage rap bound in a mixture of Afrobeat tones.
A purveyor of old-school hip-hop as it lingers through his melodies, Proklaim effortlessly lies alongside artists like Tupac; however, this new track has softness and an eager ironing out of brasher, hard-hitting old-school hip-hop sounds. Instead, and rather interestingly, there is a veil of sleek soul clinging to the intriguing sonic wrapper. One of the more simplistic songs in his repertoire, a light beat taps in the melody, yet a simmer of percussion enhances a softness in the world music undertones.
One would often find leanings toward Tupac in Proklaim’s music, including the salsa/RnB-fused ‘BIENVENIDOS’, but ‘DE JAVU’ nods its head at a slower, smoother, less intense melody. Proklaim explains: “I wanted to make a track that captured the slow menacing style of the Notorious B.I.G. I sought out beats that could bring out that type of flow…”
Just as the melody is a run of silvery smoothness, ‘DE JAVU’ is one of Proklaim’s songs focusing more on the flow of lyricism in alignment with the mellifluous music. The Namibia-based musician continues: “It’s a slow joint that focuses on lyrics and poetic liberty more so than cadence…”
Find out more about Proklaim on his Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
Listen to more Afrobeat songs on The Other Side Reviews Afrobeat playlist:
