Yugen Blakrok | iapetusrecords

YUGEN BLAKROK

BIO

“The underground…”

- Curtis Mayfield

A sorceress who casts hexes with words and sound waves, Yugen Blakrok emerges from the smoke filled dungeons of rap… Growing up in the Eastern Cape and influenced by the political/militant and spiritual aspects of Hip-Hop, her music is firmly rooted in the mind-set of the 90’s, a deep lyrical and audio odyssey into the world around us, both seen and unseen.

Mastering her craft through various features and live shows, Yugen has been on the SA scene for almost a decade. After joining indie label Iapetus Records in 2009, home to artists such as the late great Robo, Hymphatic Thabs and Fifi the RaiBlaster, she teamed up with Sampletologist Kanif the Jhatmaster, releasing several videos and singles, leading up to her debut album.

‘Return of the Astro-Goth’ (2013) was well received by the Hip-Hop community worldwide, receiving several five star ratings, and caught the attention of renowned Hip-Hop veterans such as Chuck D and Sage Francis. It also saw her nominated three times at the 2014 SA Hip-Hop awards, in the best Lyricist, best Newcomer and best Female categories.

Having toured Europe several times, Yugen has opened for Hip-Hop legends such as MC Lyte (Germany/Switzerland), Pete Rock & CL Smooth (Denmark), Edo G (Austria), and GZA (Denmark) and was the opening act at world renowned Hip-Hop Kemp in Czech Republic in 2016.

Back home in SA she has performed alongside greats such as Public Enemy (2012), Sage Francis (2015) and Jeru the Damaja (2016).

She has featured on several international collaborations, most notably on the Kendrick Lamar curated Black Panther soundtrack, where she appears alongside Vince Staples and Kendrick. Her verse caught the attention of several major publications, with Billboard, RollingStone and Vulture all giving her one of the strongest appearances on the project.

She has also released music with artists such as Jak Progresso, Naomi Pilgrim, Copywrite, Poetic Death and Planet Asia.

Her sound is a mix of sci-fi soundscapes, hard drums and meditative melodies, over which Blakrok’s words command vivid attention. Live; the room often moves as one, as in a trance, led through the acoustic void.

Her sophomore album 'Anima Mysterium (1 Feb 2019) is being co released by French indie label IOT Records. Having given us a small taste with the single and video 'Carbon Form', she is currently in deep seclusion at the Iapetus HQ.. Only emerging to collect writing paper or moonbeams.