Essa and J-Felix Present: The Fifth Foundation

Built on a shared love of soul, jazz, funk and hip-hop, Essa and J-Felix pull together a dream team for this collaborative set: driving beats, sharp bars, soulful hooks and rich brass throughout.

The collective features vocalists Avijè, Vanya Lyma, Marshall Mandiangu and Jerry Clavier, with Jack Kendon on horns and a guest appearance from Richard Spaven. Essa brings his trademark wit and flow, tackling truth, ego, escape and breaking generational curses.

A key voice from UK hip-hop’s golden era, Essa has worked with De La Soul, Wu-Tang Clan, Guru, Slum Village and Pharoahe Monch. J-Felix’s all-original production draws on neo-soul, UK jazz, boogie and hip-hop, while their live show shifts from MC/DJ mode to a full band with horns and multiple vocalists.