Hak Baker, an East London singer-songwriter, has released his debut album celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation. Titled ‘Worlds Ends FM’, the album has been praised for its introspective take on music and is an ode to the Caribbean migrants who moved to Britain in the 1940s.
The artist’s single ‘Windrush Baby’ has been widely celebrated for its ska-esque sound. Speaking to NME, Baker discussed the inspiration for the song, saying, “I just thought, ‘I’m a Windrush baby, ain’t I?’ There wasn’t massive thought [behind the song,] it was just how I felt at the moment, probably just talking to my mum or something. The one thing I don’t overthink is music – that’s probably why I’m so good at it.”
Baker credits his mother’s Rastafarianism for his “highly educated” understanding of the Windrush and Black history. His distinct sound, G-folk, has been described as acoustic folk guitar with elements of sunny reggae, punk, and ska. It pays homage to the ‘00s pirate radio culture which cultivated influential British genres such as UK garage, grime, and jungle.
Hip-hop, R&B, and other predominantly Black genres have influenced Baker’s music, but he wants to challenge stereotypes and push back against them. “I just wanted to talk about normal things and [music] gives me a platform to do so,” he said.
This year, the Notting Hill Carnival celebrated 50 years of sound system culture, something that has greatly impacted Baker’s life. His dad used to run sound systems and his mother would take him to carnivals. “Sound system culture has always been in my family and it’s important for us,” he said.
Looking ahead, Baker is currently working on two projects. He wants to record all new tunes with his guitar and write another album, exploring different topics. His ultimate goal is to remain “the People’s Champ” and continue to use music as a platform to express himself.
Hak Baker’s ‘Worlds End FM’ has been listed as one of the best debut albums of 2023 by NME, praised for its sincerity and ability to speak to modern-day problems. The album has earned four stars and is a must-hear for any fan of music.
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