Extra Soul Perception and Beneath the Baobabs: building bridges and breaking barriers

Extra Soul Perception is a global initiative that fosters collaboration, learning, and creation, committed to connecting different artists and cultures through music.

Inspired by the fusion spirit of Monk Higgins’ 1968 album, ESP brings together diverse sounds and traditions through writing residencies, live events, and collaborative record releases. Supported by The British Council and Arts Council England, the project empowers artists to control how their cultures are represented, fostering creativity across borders.

In 2024, ESP expanded its efforts with a four-part project, starting with an artist residency in Kilifi, Kenya in collaboration with Beneath the Baobabs.

Beneath the Baobabs is a cultural hub in Kilifi, known for its vibrant celebration of African music, art, and culture. Their annual Kilifi New Year festival brings together local and international artists under the majestic Baobab trees for an unforgettable experience of music, art installations, and workshops. Beyond the festival, they host year-round events that empower local talent and foster cultural exchange, all while championing sustainability and community spirit. Beneath the Baobabs is where creativity meets culture.

Here, UK and Kenyan artists collaborated at the newly-built Baobab Studios, a haven for creatives to find like-minded artists looking to push the limits of their music and production, and thrive in an inspiring community. This residency culminated in an invigorating live performance at the Beneath The Baobabs festival where the magic of musical collaboration took to the stage and spread to the revellers.

This mutual learning experience resulted in a collaborative album, reflecting the collective spirit of these new musical partnerships. ROLI lent a hand to ESP’s collaboration with Baobab Studios, providing innovative instruments including Seaboard RISE 2 and LUMI Keys Studio Edition. These instruments not only helped break down barriers between artists and support musical collaboration, but also broke through barriers in music creation and sonic expression.

One artist who participated in the ESP and Baobab Studios residency was Kenyan musician LEMI.

LEMI has been crafting a unique sound in Kenya’s evolving music scene. His journey into music began naturally, starting with a simple musical curiosity. "My musical journey started with me playing around with the piano," LEMI recalls. Growing up in a musical family, he was constantly surrounded by melodies, making his path to music feel almost inevitable. Early influences like jazz and neo-soul, particularly artists such as J Dilla, Robert Glasper, and Kiefer, played a significant role in shaping his sound.

Kenya’s music scene is a melting pot of genres, from vibrant hip-hop, R&B, and dancehall-infused pop to an underground movement exploring Afro House, Afro Tech, jungle, and drum & bass. With such an eclectic scene growing, LEMI finds it thrilling. "It’s exciting to see how the scene has evolved to feature so much original music. This development allows Kenyan artists to headline their own events and become more self-sufficient."

What makes the Kenyan music scene unique is its blend of global influences with deep cultural roots. LEMI points out that this fusion — like incorporating drill beats into Swahili rap known as "shrap", or blending Swahili melodies with Afro House — creates something truly special. "Our music is constantly evolving, offering fresh, innovative sounds," he says.

LEMI’s production process has been greatly influenced by his work with Seaboard and LUMI Keys. "Working with ROLI gear was an absolute delight," he says. As a pianist and Ableton enthusiast, LEMI found the seamless integration of the LUMI and Seaboard RISE 2 with Equator2 particularly exciting. "LUMI Keys’ ability to connect and create as many octaves as needed, combined with wireless capabilities, made for a fun and creative experience."

Collaboration also plays a vital role in LEMI’s creative process. Reflecting on his experience at the ESP workshop, he says, "The workshop was incredibly inspiring. When creatives share a space freely, it’s easy to tap into that collective energy." LEMI focuses on contributing where he adds the most value, often through his skill on the keys. "Playing chord progressions that set the vibe and sharing energy with amazing musicians was an awesome experience."

LEMI’s journey reflects Kenya’s dynamic and ever-evolving music scene, where blending influences, embracing new technology, and fostering collaboration is key to crafting a unique and resonant sound.

As LEMI’s experience with Extra Soul Perception illustrates, the power of music lies not just in individual talent but in the vibrant exchange of ideas across cultures and borders. Through initiatives like ESP, artists across the globe come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts—a new sound, a new narrative, a new sense of what’s possible.

ESP stands out as a beacon of creativity and collaboration. By blending global influences with deep cultural roots, projects like the Kilifi residency and the resulting collaborations are proof that music can break down barriers, build bridges, and inspire entire communities. As LEMI and his fellow artists continue to push the boundaries of what music can be, they remind us that the future of sound is as limitless as the imagination of those who dare to create it.

The echoes of ESP’s work will reverberate far beyond the studios and stages, influencing not only the artists involved but also the broader music industry and the audiences they reach. The fusion of tradition and innovation, diverse voices, and the commitment to authentic cultural representation are shaping a new era in music—one where creativity knows no borders and the world is united by the universal language of music.

Learn more about Extra Soul Perception and Beneath the Baobabs here.

Hear more from LEMI on Instagram.

Discover Seaboard RISE 2 and LUMI Keys Studio Edition.