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mau from nowhere’s Soft Steps: A Sonic Journey of Growth and Grace

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More than a year after his debut album, The Universe is Holding You, Kenyan-British artist mau from nowhere returns with his latest project, Soft Steps, a seven-track EP that showcases his continued sonic evolution. Blending alternative afro-fusion and R&B with his signature genre-bending style, Soft Steps presents a refined, innovative sound that charts mau’s authentic creative journey.

Raised across three continents—Nairobi, the UK, and the Netherlands—mau from nowhere’s music is a seamless fusion of local influences and global sounds, drawing inspiration from the likes of Outkast and Bloc Party. His eclectic background shines through in this latest release, which blends hip-hop, R&B, and electronic elements to create a unique soundscape. Having already captured attention with previous singles, a four-track EP, and his critically acclaimed debut album, mau’s Soft Steps serves as the next chapter in a rapidly evolving career.

Since being recognized as Apple Music’s East African Up Next artist in May 2023, mau’s trajectory has been on a steady rise. His serene, airy sound—marked by melodic raps and heartfelt lyrics—has brought a breath of fresh air to an industry often saturated by convention. Soft Steps further cements his place as a forward-thinking artist unafraid to experiment, offering listeners a meditative reflection on life, love, and the process of becoming.

The EP marks a notable shift from his earlier raw, rap-centric introspection to a more complex and melodic form of storytelling. This sonic evolution reflects a growing maturity as mau steps away from the purely personal to explore broader, universal themes. His ability to capture the intricacies of human emotion while maintaining an unmistakable groove is what makes Soft Steps both compelling and deeply relatable.

As mau from nowhere explains, Soft Steps is “an ode to patience, navigating growth and the trials that come with it with the grace to forgive myself and the calm endurance to forge onward into the unknown.” The title itself reflects the gentleness of this journey—taking one step at a time with quiet perseverance. Through these seven tracks, mau invites listeners to do the same, encouraging introspection and offering a comforting reminder that growth doesn’t always have to be rushed.

The EP’s production mirrors this theme of patience and grace, with lush soundscapes and subtle yet intricate instrumentation. Mau’s delicate approach to both his lyrics and beats brings a sense of calm to the project, making it feel more like an immersive experience than just a collection of songs. Tracks flow seamlessly from one to the next, weaving together a narrative that balances softness with strength—a reflection of mau’s own journey of self-discovery.

Soft Steps not only highlights mau from nowhere’s continued sonic evolution but also solidifies his place as an artist to watch. In a landscape where genre boundaries often feel rigid, mau’s ability to fluidly blend afro-fusion, R&B, and alternative sounds is both refreshing and groundbreaking. More than anything, this EP proves that his creative journey is far from over—if anything, Soft Steps feels like just the beginning.

As the world watches mau from nowhere move forward, one gentle step at a time, Soft Steps stands as a testament to his growth, resilience, and unwavering authenticity. It’s a project that speaks to the power of patience, and it’s clear that mau’s willingness to take his time is what sets him apart.

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Kingdom Kome x RUEN see the “Cracks In The Foundation”

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Hip-Hop Heavyweight Kingdom Kome has just dropped a new single (with accompanying video).  “Cracks In the Foundation” (Produced by long-time collaborator RUEN) is a socially conscious dose of jazzy boom-bap.  As the emcee states “I was driving through my old neighborhood in Miami and it really had me thinking of the current state of the world today.  It got me in an introspective state and I made this message to the youth.”

Listen to “Cracks In The Foundation”: https://youtu.be/Nwp_07pDO6o?si=fb5RTd0wNDK7ZxxQ

Available via streaming platforms now, “Cracks In the Foundation” is the first leak from the Barrel Reserve LP fully produced by RUEN.  

Less than a year after the last collaborative LP the duo dropped, Malbec 2 Kingdom Kome reveals “we never stop working on music together.  A number of these tracks were recorded while we were preparing Malbec 2 but were better suited for a separate project.”

Following the high-end connoisseur angle, Barrel Reserve is expertly crafted boom-bap for the real hip-hop aficionado.  This extends to the album’s guest list, which includes Supreme Cerebral, Recognize Ali, Che Uno, DJ Exes, AjaxLo, Camarah Walleed and Soarse Spoken.

Kingdom Kome is still promoting his other recent LP for 2025 Alchemy II Ein Sof, which was entirely produced by another long-time production collaborator Onaje Jordan (Hometeam).

Stream / Purchase Alchemy IIhttps://kingdomkome.bandcamp.com/album/alchemy-2-ein-sof

More Info:

https://www.instagram.com/kingdomkome

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