Space Afrika

Space Afrika
Space Afrika in 2023; photograph by Glauco Canalis
Space Afrika in 2023; photograph by Glauco Canalis
Background information
Genres
Years active2014–present
LabelDais
MembersJoshua Inyang
Joshua Tarelle Reid
WebsiteOfficial website

Space Afrika are an ambient electronic music duo consisting of longtime friends Joshua Tarelle Reid and Joshua Inyang. Both artists are from Manchester, England.

History

Reid and Inyang began releasing music in 2014. Their sound is heavily influenced by dub-techno. They released their debut album Above The Concrete/Below The Concrete in 2014. Their second album, Somewhere Decent to Live was released in 2018.

In 2020 they released hybtwibt?, a mixtape produced in the wake of the murder of George Floyd. All proceeds from this project were donated to associated groups from the BLM movement.

After the release of their third album Honest Labour (2021) on Dais Records, Space Afrika garnered critical attention. The duo were recognised to be part of a movement of Salford and Manchester-based artists in connection with The White Hotel club and seen to be spearheading a revitalised experimental music scene in the north-west region of England. Other artists of note included aya, Blackhaine, Rainy Miller, Afrodeutsche and Iceboy Violet. Honest Labour was awarded DJ Mag's Album of The Month.

In 2023 they released A Grisaille Wedding, a collaborative album with Rainy Miller featuring collaborations with artists including Mica Levi, Coby Sey and Richie Culver.

In August 2025, Space Afrika began a collaboration with the filmmaker Valentin Noujaïm to create a multidisciplinary film project, Opera Omnia. Opera Omnia will eventually be performed to a live audience at the Manchester Camerata at Manchester's Factory International.[when?]

On 9 June 2026, Space Afrika released the single "If This Is Hell", featuring Deuén, as the lead single for their fourth studio album, Quiet Storm. The album was scheduled for release on 25 September 2026 through Dais Records. The album was inspired by conceptual artist Glenn Ligon's work Figure #30 (2009) and explores themes surrounding identity, class, and diaspora. The album was described as incorporating elements of trip hop, jazz, ambient, modern classical, and techno; and features contributions from Klein, Kelly Moran, Tony Njoku, RXKNephew, Vanessa Bedoret, and Deuén.

References

  1. ↑ Dazed (14 June 2023). "Space Afrika: the ambient noise duo putting Manchester on high alert". Dazed. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 "Space Afrika curate: Manchester's experimental scene". The Face. 12 March 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  3. ↑ "Space Afrika - walking around Manchester at crazy hours of the night". Loud and Quiet. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  4. ↑ "hybtwibt?, by Space Afrika". Space Afrika. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  5. 1 2 "The Rates: ambient duo Space Afrika discuss their under-appreciated artists, new and old". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  6. ↑ Joyce, Colin. "Space Afrika: hybtwibt?". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  7. ↑ Adjei-Kontoh, Hubert. "Space Afrika: Honest Labour". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  8. ↑ Muggs, Joe (20 August 2021). "Manchester's Space Afrika: 'We're totally ourselves – Black artists in the 21st century'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  9. ↑ "Album of the Month: Space Afrika 'Honest Labour'". DJ Mag. 20 August 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  10. ↑ "The North West's underground music scene is thriving". The Face. 1 September 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  11. ↑ Dazed (20 November 2023). "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika are finding light in the darkness". Dazed. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  12. ↑ "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika chase silver linings". documentjournal.com. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  13. ↑ Lewis, Dash. "Rainy Miller / Space Afrika: A Grisaille Wedding". Pitchfork. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  14. ↑ "Rainy Miller and Space Afrika – A Grisaille Wedding". Loud And Quiet. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  15. ↑ Quietus, The (14 September 2023). "Rainy Miller And Space Afrika Team Up On New Album". The Quietus. Retrieved 8 May 2025.
  16. ↑ Interviews, Clash Magazine Music News, Reviews &; ClashMusic (14 September 2023). "Rainy Miller, Space Afrika Combine On Collaborative Project | News". Clash Music. Retrieved 8 May 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  17. 1 2 Manchester, About (28 August 2025). "An evening of boundary-pushing music and art rooted in Manchester". aboutmanchester.co.uk. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
  18. 1 2 3 Hussain, Shahzaib (9 June 2026). "Space Afrika Detail New Album 'Quiet Storm' | News". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  19. 1 2 Eede, Christian (9 June 2026). "Space Afrika Return with New LP, 'Quiet Storm'". The Quietus. Retrieved 9 June 2026.