photo by Katia Sentry
Treble has just premiered a new video for “The Enigmatic,” the title track to the debut from Chicago-based ensemble AFROFUTURISTICS.
The AFROFUTURISTICS ensemble blends the idioms of cosmic jazz fusion and experimental hip-hop, the collective defined by its massive, multi-layered brass and woodwind section, which serves as the melodic and harmonic engine of the project. Their sound is an explosive collision of the improvisational fire of 1970s jazz-funk and the heavy, atmospheric pocket of instrumental hip-hop—creating a sonic landscape that is as rhythmically disciplined as it is harmonically expansive.
Fresh off winning Best Hip-Hop Group in the Chicago Reader’s Best of Chicago 2025 poll, the AFROFUTURISTICS collective is currently preparing for the release of their debut EP, The Enigmatic. The Enigmatic was recorded at Maynott Studios with Eric McWhorter and mixed/mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Rollin Weary at Deluxe Studios. The record was completed with design/photography by Katia Jackson/Katia Sentry Photography, Erik Vecchione/Azure Taurus Designs, and photography by Annmarie Vecchione.
The video for “The Enigmatic” was produced by Erik Vecchione/Azure Taurus Music.
Tenor saxophonist Keith Wakefield states, “This is my favorite track on the EP because it showcases everyone in the group and it hints at the future potential of the band, whether that be hip hop, jazz, world music or whatever. I don’t think we were thinking about that in the studio though. This song evolved from jamming Erik and I had done with Sands Of The Hour. In the studio, I laid down a scratch track along with Erik’s bass and Brother Tone’s beats and samples. The original samples weren’t quite in tune, so we had to adjust our playing, but we got there. From there we just started adding things that sounded cool. Eric McWhorter was very helpful in his suggestions for Abdoulaye’s Kora lines. Pretty much everyone in the studio put their heart into this one.”
Bassist/synth player Erik Oldman adds, “This song really is the sum of all parts and all of the sonic facets of AFROFUTURISTICS. I consider it the crown jewel of the EP. For the video we shot a bunch of green screen footage and had a cache of live performance footage to pull from over the Summer. I wanted to create something that presented the identity of the band, its relationship to our city and with the notions and traditions of cosmic jazz, underground hip-hop, and some of the more psychedelic notions related to Afrofuturism.”
Treble writes, “…today they’ve released a new video for the title track, featuring Levi Stress and Artie Slaw, showcasing a colorful and swirling set of neon visuals against a cosmic backdrop, while the song intertwines a hypnotic but low-key jazz-fusion arrangement with an abstract rap approach reminiscent of early ’00s Def Jux or Anticon.”
Watch AFROFUTURISTICS’ “The Enigmatic” video first on Treble now at THIS LOCATION.
The Enigmatic is out now through Big Bonkey Records on CD and digitally via Bandcamp HERE and streaming services HERE. Watch the prior videos for “These Things Happen” HERE and “Daydream” HERE.
AFROFUTURISTICS plays live throughout Chicago with regularity and is currently booking new hometown shows in support of the record, including a hometown release show for the record this Saturday, August 29th, followed by a set at Art Of Events Fall Music Festival October 10th.
AFROFUTURISTICS Live:
8/29/2026 Le Piano – Chicago, IL * The Enigmatic release show [tickets]
10/10/2026 Art Of Events Fall Music Festival – Chicago, IL
AFROFUTURISTICS was founded in the Summer of 2024 by bassist and composer Erik Oldman (Sons Of Ra, Mare Crisium) and rapper/producer Karl “Brother Tone” Isaacs (Sands Of The Hour). Originally conceived as a vessel to interpret the works of Sun Ra, electric-era Miles Davis, and Fela Kuti through a modern beat-making lens, the project rapidly expanded into a specialized, horn-section-forward vehicle for original composition.
The group’s signature sound features tenor saxophonist Keith Wakefield (Sons of Ra), trumpet and cornet player Scott Free, and the versatile woodwinds of Luc Mosley (Graphics, Grappler Zorn, Mucca Pazza) and Eli Wilson. Together, they drive the melodies and dense harmonic soundscapes for the band’s fusion-heavy explorations. This core lineup was solidified during the 2025 recording sessions for The Enigmatic, which features the additional textures of Guinean folk artist Abdoulaye Conde on Kora
The ensemble’s compositions are often punctuated by the razor-sharp lyrical artistry of MC Brother Tone. The project’s arrangements are further enriched by collaborations with veteran underground hip-hop crew Sands Of The Hour with MC Levi Stress and rapper Artie Slaw.
AFROFUTURISTICS:
Brother Tone – beats/MC
Keith Wakefield – tenor saxophone
Erik Oldman – bass, synths
Scott Free – trumpet, cornet
Luc Mosley – soprano saxophone
Eli Wilson – baritone/tenor saxophone
photo by Annmarie Vecchione
https://afrofuturistics.bandcamp.com
https://www.facebook.com/afrofuturistics
https://www.instagram.com/afrofuturistics
https://www.tiktok.com/@afrofuturistics
https://www.youtube.com/@afrofuturisticsofficial
https://www.instagram.com/big_bonkey_records
The post AFROFUTURISTICS: Treble Premieres Title Track To The Enigmatic, The Debut From Chicago Jazz Fusion/Hip-Hop Group Featuring Sons Of Ra Members; EP Out Now + Release Show Takes Place Saturday first appeared on Earsplit Compound.