If Shunaji has trouble fitting in to one particular style, it’s because her artistic compass is cinematic rather than musical. The Lagos native grew up in Rome, where she discovered Italian pop, rock, and ambient music. Now based in London, Shunaji readily names Air as a referent group. Incidentally, the French duo recently paid homage to the films of George Méliès. It was only through production that she discovered hip hop and followed the tradition of J Dilla and Karriem Riggins. She sought inspiration from Chet Baker and Ahmad Jamal, who are sampled, respectively, on “Girls” and “Red Honey.” Her firm, precise diction positions her as a diligent disciple of hip hop. “Rap is my only friend and testimony”, she raps on “Red Honey,” but always with an emphasis on beatmaking: “I made a beat and I wrapped it / And I will be your favorite wrapper.” Implicitly, it is the references to movies, from Disney to Star Wars, that hold together the four tracks of this first EP, an invitation to the midnight showing.
Shunaji, Midnight Movie
