It’s been a rather eventful year for Kenyan-American creative Roy Rutto. After having released a plethora of singles, the talented artist has followed up not long ago with ‘BABA’, his debut album. Hailing from Arizona, Rutto has already caught the attention of a number of industry actors, for instance, from Spotify’s Fresh Finds calls of 26′. The listening experience behind the album is varied and vibrant. From the acoustic intimacy of opener ‘U GOT THIS SON!’ to the alt-pop extravaganza of ‘bum.’, passing through the neo-soul elegance of ‘Dear Malvern, I’m Tryin’… there’s something for everyone in it, and frankly, it’s impressive how wide-reaching Rutto’s musicianship can be.
As one might expect from the kind of wholesome, intimate tracks that can be heard in ‘BABA’, the record features a great deal of personal wisdom and childhood nostalgia, effectively being an observant outlet for Rutto’s coming-of-age journey. In particular, the album’s title refers to the nickname assigned to Roy by his mother.
Delving deeper into the meaningful and honest ethos that propels the record, Rutto explains: “BABA is about leaning into contrast—balancing private, acoustic textures with the kind of energy that demands to be felt live. It’s a direct statement of where I am right now as an artist.” We appreciate such a wholesome statement. Judging by what we have heard so far, Roy is not afraid of drawing from a variety of influences, effectively reaching for an eclectic, yet soulful aural universe.
Recommended! Discover ‘BABA’ now: