Last week saw the release of this absolutely iconic R&B and afro-fusion project EP, titled “Boundaries”, which saw Nigerian R&B singer known as Phaemous, collaborate with rising UK DJ and producer known as DJames. The five-track EP sees them experiment with their R&B style touching on afrobeats, electronic, and sexy saxophone dance melodies. This acts as the follow-up to Phaemous’ feature on Miguel O’Syrah and Spykida’s single, titled “Late Night”; and it also acts as the follow-up to DJames’ “Asake Mixtape” as well as his collaboration with Alpha P, titled “Whine”.
Phaemous, real name Amaechi Chukwuemeka Bartholomew, is a talented R&B artist hailing from Abuja, Nigeria, who has quickly emerged as one of the most promising rising acts in the industry. With an impressive two million streams already to his name, Phaemous seamlessly blends R&B with elements of afro-fusion, creating a captivating and genre-defying sound. Inspired by legends such as Michael Jackson and Chris Brown, Phaemous embarked on his musical journey while studying at the University of Ghana, where he recorded his first song and received overwhelming praise. Returning to Nigeria, he continued to explore his unique sound, honing his skills and collaborating with fellow artists. As the firstborn child and only son, Phaemous’s passion for music has been a lifelong pursuit, starting with his involvement in school and church choirs. With the guidance of Ucee and his continuous musical exploration, Phaemous has crafted his own distinct style, captivating listeners with hits like his most-streamed song on Spotify, “Sapio-Medula” which has half a million streams on the platform, with his collaboration with Tim Lyre, titled “GBEDU”, which has a quarter of a million streams. As he prepares to release his sophomore solo EP, “Phæway Vol. 2”, Phaemous stands poised to make a lasting impact on the R&B scene with his mesmerising vocals and boundary-pushing artistry.
As for DJames (pronounce Dee-James), he is a highly versatile and accomplished open-format DJ and producer based in London. With a distinct ability to blend Afro-Caribbean sounds with a wide range of genres, he has garnered a dedicated fan base across Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, and North America. As the Red Bull 3Style UK 2019 Champion, DJames has solidified his position as a force to be reckoned with in the DJing world. With notable roles as the Dancehall & Afrobeats Curator for Beatsource, a music editor for DJcity, and a regular DJ on Capital XTRA, he has established himself as a multifaceted figure in the music industry. His talent and expertise have earned him opportunities to perform at high-profile events, from residencies in London’s West End to playing for massive crowds at major international sports tournaments. Notably, DJames has caught the attention of renowned artists such as Drake, The Weeknd, and Sean Kingston, joining them on their UK tours for unforgettable sold-out shows. With collaborations lined up in Nigeria, Ghana, and Jamaica, DJames is poised to further expand his global presence and continue making waves in the music scene.
Talking about the EP, Phaemous said: “The entire project is inspired by the love that DJames and I both have for R&B as well as afrobeats, which is why we were able to infuse both genres to deliver such a satisfying listening experience. We wanted a chance to show our versatility, and I believe we did just that.”
Adding to this, DJames said: “As a DJ and producer, I love discovering new talent, so working with Phaemous is so exciting for me. I spotted his talent, and thought this project would be the perfect opportunity to showcase what we could do together.”
Stream “Boundaries” by Phaemous and DJames on Spotify here:
The EP starts off with “MIA”, with DJames showcasing his artistic productions skills with sultry saxophone sounds mixed around a rhythmic R&B beat and afrobeat drums creating a warped genre-defying track that is truly unforgettable due to the skilled combination of vibes. Add in Phaemous’ incredible vocals that dip and dive around the awesome sound with heartfelt vocal runs that reflect the passionate lyrics of wondering why his love interest ghosted on him. This relatable, emotional track kickstarts this EP perfectly and sets the stage for track two, titled “What Is Love?”. This track spotlights Phaemous’ emotional vocals, stripping the track back for a deep R&B ballad that hits hard as the lyrics compare love and money. A rhythmic drum drives the beat but it’s Phaemous who showcases his artistry, mixing his R&B voice with afro-fusion melodies, creating a soulful and moving track that stays with the listener for the rest of the day.
“Locked Up” follows next, plunging into a perpetual and dynamic drum rhythm allowing DJames to experiment with subtle backing sounds to emphasise the track, while Phaemous brings his signature style with some upbeat flavour that definitely gives this track a more mainstream feel. “First Time” is the fourth track on the “Boundaries” EP, and it keeps the upbeat rhythm from the previous track but adds jazzy keyboards with DJames overhauling and mixing the vibe while Phaemous adds some racy lyrics giving a sexier vocal and delivering an R&B-pop energy mixed with their signature afro-pop sound. The last track, titled “Dreaming”, starts off sensually slow before DJames adds some upbeat drums and seductive jazzy saxophone segments, while Phaemous brings it with R&B vocal runs that send chills to the listener and pair well with the backing track. But, these artists add a surprise in this track, with Phaemous giving a rap verse that suits him perfectly and we’re sure it’s this part here that would seal the deal and see him get the woman he’s been dreaming about.
Stream “What Is Love?”, our favourite track from the EP, on Spotify here:
“Boundaries”, the EP from Phaemous and DJames, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Remitano Entertainment, Kick It, and EMPIRE. Look out for Phaemous’ upcoming EP, titled “Phæway Vol. 2”, which is set to be at the end of the year.
Let us know what you make of “Boundaries” by Phaemous and DJames on Twitter @CelebMix.
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