Introducing: Ed Addo

Ed Addo is set to captivate audiences once again with The Root, his groundbreaking four-track EP dropping December 13th, 2024. Seamlessly blending earthy tones with the vibrant energy of hip-hop, R&B, and soul, this project is a celebration of heritage, purpose, and self-connection. With intricate production, evocative lyrics, and a signature sound infused with jazz and world music influences, The Root is both a reflection and a revelation—a journey into what grounds us and fuels our growth.

From the hard-hitting title track that pays homage to Mama Africa to the sultry introspection of Soft, Ed’s versatility shines as he delivers bold beats, soulful melodies, and the warmth of his distinctive trumpet. An artist who writes, produces, and performs every note, Ed Addo’s authenticity and innovation promise to leave an indelible mark.

We sat down with Ed to talk about the inspiration behind The Root, his creative process, and his vision for the future of his music.

The Root EP explores deep themes like heritage, purpose, and self-connection. What inspired you to dive into these themes, and how do they resonate with your own journey?

This EP is a personal exploration of themes that have grown increasingly significant to me over time—ones I hadn’t previously allowed myself the space to fully express through my art. The lead single, "The Root," was inspired by a profound realisation: following the source of one’s power, drive, or motivation is key to navigating personal growth and discovery.

One of the themes I explore is that of Mama Africa. Africa has been a cornerstone of global evolution—shaping diasporas, culture, music, and art. This is why I say in the song, “When they ask who sent ya, say Mama Africa is who sent you.” It’s a reminder of Africa’s enduring influence on our existence, something deeply meaningful to me.

In the verses, I delve deeper into the concept of a "root," extending it to ideas of purpose and self-connection. At its core, this is the essence of the entire project. In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to lose sight of why we pursue our passions—whether it’s music, writing, cooking, design, or anything else that fuels us. There’s always a root, a source, that gives life to these pursuits. Reconnecting with this source is often the key to answering the “why” behind what we love.

In today’s oversaturated world filled with external distractions, true stimulation must come from within. Especially when it comes to authentic art—which we need more than ever. Authenticity allows us to delve into the human soul, and since every individual has a unique root and story, understanding these helps foster deeper human connection.

Over the 10+ years I’ve been writing music, there were times my work was authentic, but there were also moments where it was just about the vibe. It might have sounded good, but it lacked something vital—the essence of my root. Taking the time to focus on what truly matters to me has been transformative. For me, that’s creating sound that moves the soul and elevates the mind to a higher vibration. Embedding this intention into everything I create has changed my career, and I’m grateful I woke up to it.

The EP blends earthy tones with hip-hop, R&B, soul, and jazz. How do you approach merging these diverse genres to create your unique sound?

There are two ways I could explain this. The simple answer is that having grown up in a large family of music lovers with a taste for multiple genres, I naturally gravitate toward sounds that feel familiar yet innovative. My creative direction often depends on the feeling of the day—what I had for breakfast, the weather, or even my mood... that kind of thing. 

I've always admired the likes of Jamiroquai who delivered timeless music that has taken inspiration from those before in order to inspire the next era of sound. I spent the majority of my teen years in the Netherlands, which was a transformative period of my life. I became obsessed with an outstanding artist, Pete Philly, who similarly blends multiple sounds through hip-hop, Jazz, soul and more. I think diversity in sound is amazing. We love fusion food, and I think music has come to a point where it can be enjoyed and celebrated in the same way. It's reflective of the world that we now live in. 

When writing, my primary focus is ensuring the groove feels just right. From there, I build with chords that evoke strong, directed emotions. If the track calls for it, I’ll add ornamentation with influences from across the musical spectrum. One day that might mean combining Latin percussion, funk basslines, ’80s pop synths, and a solid hip-hop beat. The result is rich, flavorful, and authentically me.

The title track, "The Root," references 'Mama Africa' and the universe's movement. How does your heritage and connection to African culture shape your music and storytelling?

Storytelling and channeling messages from the universe are deeply rooted in African heritage and therefore, in me. With “The Root,” I wanted to explore the theme of the universe's movement and how I attune myself to the signs around me to seize the best opportunities.

Following the universe's signs can lead us down many paths—challenging, enlightening, troublesome, or positive. These paths, with all their twists and turns, are integral to the individual human experience and I feel that this represents the essence of life itself.

In African culture, as in many others, storytelling serves as a guide. It connects lessons from the past with aspirations for the future, offering us direction and clarity. Through “The Root,” I aim to honor this tradition, using music as a medium to reflect the journeys we take and the stories that shape us.

Tracks like "Live Your Life" and "Mr. Manifest" feature bold beats, introspective lyrics, and your distinctive trumpet style. Can you tell us about your creative process and how you bring such depth to your production?

With any track I create, and as I mentioned earlier, I try my best to focus on the quality of the individual sounds, not to overcrowd the mix so each part can speak, but ensuring that there is depth throughout. Most of my projects either start with a beat or a chord. I want the music to inspire the mood and direction before I start taking things down a particular path. So whether it's creating a new sound from an instrument, a plug-in, or working with samples, I look for richness in the sound. Starting from this point makes everything easier when focusing on delivering depth to a track. 

But there are so many components, especially when it comes to hip hop and vocal delivery. Tone of voice is a big factor, and delivery can make or break a track, so I make sure I perfect the vocals for the right finish. As for my trumpet, it can be integral or decorative to a piece. I feel that when I use it decoratively, because it takes the piece to a higher level this naturally creates more depth throughout. But honestly... There have been times when I wanted to add a trumpet when it wasn't needed. But to summarise, I aim to give the track what it is asking for and that usually becomes clear quite early on.

With sold-out headline shows and festival appearances under your belt, how has performing live shaped your music and your connection with your audience?

Performing live has really helped me to understand which music I write connects deeply to people, and what gets them going. After shows, I speak to people who sometimes will tell me specifically what songs they enjoyed and want to stream later. It's amazing! I've learnt that the music that makes me feel most alive is what my fans and audience vibe with the most. It transmutes through me, and I think this is the essence. People want to feel alive when they see music live, and I know that the live performance of my music offers so much more than the recorded tracks. It is a chance to connect and feel something real. Would 100% recommend. I'm worth it ;)