Kenyan producer BNRD’s debut project, Lyfe Changes, is a two year labour of love that is steeped in intentionality down to the cover art.  Designed by Ondara we see a figure walking through a whirlwind, an apt metaphor for life’s unpredictable changes and a reminder that we have to learn to live through that turbulence, enjoying the good and and persevering through the bad. 

BNRD creates vivid soundscapes on each track as he takes us through life’s various stages, skillfully drawing from a wide range of sonic influences. We experience love and romantic relationships  on woozy, down-tempo, synth-carried tracks “All 9lte” ft. MANE & Vallerie Muthoni, and “Honda” ft. Mane. “Heart Scvrs” ft. PRXXNCE and produced by RVMP details torrid heartbreak carried by off-kilter, experimental production, mainly characterized by high-end synth patterns. “Dark” relatabley relays what it's like to experience life’s cloudier moments underpinned by percussive, bass-heavy production while “Be Yourself” reminds us of the beauty in staying true to who we. We’re also provided with feel good, head bopping moments on percussion driven tracks “Lingala” ft. Nomad, which sees the producer flip a classic lingala sample, and “Houdini” ft. Quassa & MANE, the projects leading single.

This project is “one for the homies” as BNRD features his close friends and frequent collaborators whilst creating space for underground artists. His masterful curation of features speaks to the important role that producers can play as A&R’s.

Listen to the full interview below.