Ghostpoet

History

Ghostpoet's first known recordings were on the two mixtapes from 2009 Filthy Friends by Micachu and Kwesachu Mixtape Vol.1 by Kwes and Micachu.

In June 2010, Ghostpoet self-released his first EP, The Sound of Strangers, and was later featured in The Guardians "New Band of the Day".

Ghostpoet's first single, "Cash & Carry Me Home", was released on 24 January 2011, followed by the debut album on 7 February 2011, Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam. His single "Survive It" was launched in Rough Trade East Record store, on London's Brick Lane on 9 May 2011.

In 2011, he supported Metronomy and Jamie Woon on their tours and performed at Glastonbury, Sónar,{{cite web| url=https://de.ra.co/events/212571 |title=Sonar by Day 2011 - Friday |website=Resident Advisor |access-date=17 March 2025}} Latitude, Secret Garden Party, and Bestival, among others. Ghostpoet was among the nominees for the 2011 Mercury Prize.

In 2012, Ghostpoet's track "Finished I Ain't" appeared in the soundtrack of Sleeping Dogs and the EP "Meltdown", with guest vocals by Woodpecker Wooliams, was released in April 2013.

Ghostpoet's second album, Some Say I So I Say Light, was released on 6 May 2013. The album was preceded by the single "MSI musmiD", made available as a free download from SoundCloud.

His third album, Shedding Skin, was released on 2 March 2015. The album featured guest appearances by Nadine Shah, Etta Bond, Mélanie De Biasio, Lucy Rose and Paul Smith. The album was shortlisted for the 2015 Mercury Prize.

In 2016, Ghostpoet was featured on Massive Attack's song "Come Near Me", the B-side to "The Spoils".{{cite web| url=https://www.universal-music.de/massive-attack/videos/come-near-me-feat-ghostpoet-408465 |title=Come Near Me feat. Ghostpoet

In April 2017, Ghostpoet released the single "Immigrant Boogie" via Play It Again, Sam. The track was produced by Leo Abrahams and mixed by Leo and Kristofer Harris. The track is the first from the album Dark Days + Canapés.

Ghostpoet released his fourth studio record, Dark Days + Canapés on 18 August 2017. His fifth album, I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep, was released on 1 May 2020.

In November 2022, Obaro Ejimiwe received an Honorary Doctorate of Art by Coventry University in recognition of his extensive contribution to the arts.

In 2023, he performed on a new version of Massive Attack's "Paradise Circus" for the feature-length film Luther: The Fallen Sun.

In May 2024, Ghostpoet released his third EP entitled 'Am I the Change I Wish to See?' on his own independent label Modern Revenge Records via his Bandcamp page. In the same year, he composed the music for the short film 'Ataraxy 33' by Curtis Essel, in which the Brazilian dancer Noan Alves from the Stuttgart Ballet plays the leading role.{{cite web |url=https://berlinfashionfilm.awardsengine.com/?action=ows:entries.details&e=169104&project_year=2024 |title= CRAFT (Best Direction) ATARAXY 33 |work=Awards Engine |access-date=21 July 2025}}

Influences

Ghostpoet stated in an interview that he was inspired by musical mavericks and rule breakers, artists who have dared to swim against the current. He has shown a preference for innovative musicians who push the boundaries, take risks and combine different genres. As examples, he mentioned the following artists several times in interviews: Badly Drawn Boy, Radiohead, Muddy Waters, Portishead, Pharoah Sanders, The Clash, Captain Beefheart, Fela Kuti, Serge Gainsbourg, Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds, Little Dragon, and Squarepusher.

Visual art

Since 2021, Ejimiwe has expanded his artistic practice into sound art, sculpture, installation, photography and video. In 2022 Ejimiwe premiered, in collaboration with artist Luiza Prado de O. Martins, the large-scale installation and performance series Blacknuss! Technologies of Joy, Care, and Intimacy at the Kampnagel International Summer Festival, in Hamburg. In his work, Ejimiwe explores themes related to African spiritualism, masculinity, identity, and Black joy.

Discography

Main article: Ghostpoet discography

• Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam (2011)
• Some Say I So I Say Light (2013)
• Shedding Skin (2015)
• Dark Days + Canapés (2017)
• I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep (2020)

References

References

1. Kellman, Andy. "Ghostpoet Biography". [[AllMusic]].
2. (19 July 2011). "Mercury Prize 2011 nominees". BBC News.
3. (16 October 2015). "Mercury Prize 2015 nominees". BBC News.
4. "Bandcamp artist page".
5. "Inspiring individuals set to be honoured by Coventry University".
6. "The inimitable musician discusses his fifth album".
7. "Ghostpoet – Obaro Ejimiwe to his friends – reflects on the influences that have shaped his life and career".
8. "Podcast // Ghostpoet in the Brownswood Basement".
9. Reynolds, Rachel. (7 October 2011). "Ghostpoet: Love from London". KCRW Music News.
10. "Allmusic artist page: discography".
11. "Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany".
12. Slater, Luke (2009) "[http://drownedinsound.com/news/4137091 Download: Micachu mixtape Kwesachu] {{Webarchive. link. (16 February 2010 ", ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'', 11 June 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2025)
13. Lester, Paul. (2 June 2010). "New band of the day (No 799): Ghostpoet". [[The Guardian]].
14. (16 June 2011). "Disorder magazine Ghostpoet Interview at Rough Trade East Album Launch". Journalist Jameela Oberman.
15. Kennedy, Adam. (2 February 2011). "An early contender for 2011's finest out-of-leftfield long-players". BBC Music.
16. (12 April 2011). "Ghostpoet unveils new single and support slot with Metronomy". Blindfun.
17. (22 February 2011). "Jamie Woon/Ghostpoet". Soundlab.
18. (16 June 2011). "Ghostpoet added to West Holts line-up".
19. (16 July 2020). "Latitude loves the Lake Stage with Hugh Stephens".
20. "Secret Garden Party".
21. (10 September 2011). "Bestival 2011 - Saturday in pictures". The Guardian.
22. "Sleeping Dogs - Soundtrack list".
23. (24 February 2015). "My Favourite Game: Ghostpoet".
24. "Watch: Ghostpoet – Meltdown".
25. (9 May 2013). "Ghostpoet: Some Say I So I Say Light – review".
26. "Ghostpoet returns with menacing new single "Immigrant Boogie"". [[The Line of Best Fit]].
27. (24 February 2023). "New Version of 'Paradise Circus' from 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' Released".
28. "ATARAXY 33". [[International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences#Lovie Awards.
29. "Nine Songs {{!}} Ghostpoet". [[The Line of Best Fit]].
30. Hasson, Thomas. (12 June 2013). "Emotional Experimentation: Ghostpoet's Favourite Albums". [[The Quietus]].
31. Whitehurst, Andrew. (21 October 2013). "Lucky 7: Ghostpoet". [[DJ Mag]].
32. Fox, Killian. (29 March 2015). "Interview {{!}} Ghostpoet: soundtrack of my life". [[The Guardian]].
33. Ejimiwe, Obaro. (25 September 2020). "Soundtrack: Ghostpoet". Port Magazine.
34. Spice, Anton. (27 June 2013). "Everyday is different: Ghostpoet picks five of his favourite records". [[The Vinyl Factory]].
35. (April 2015). "Interviews {{!}} Ghostpoet". [[Mixdown]].
36. "Blacknuss! Technologies of Joy, Care, and Intimacy".