Moses Boyd shares video for new single ‘Say Yeah’
“Boyd’s name has become synonymous with the explosive thrive of jazz music in the UK.” – British GQ
“Producer albums can often be noodly, navel-gazing affairs… this isn’t one of those” – Crack Magazine
“Deftly, it sounds like an ode to the various genres that the UK can claim and champion” – DJ Mag
“This reframes jazz in new forms for a new generation and the results are exciting as hell”– Mixmag
“It’s Dark Matter’s lack of regard for traditional boundaries that makes it so engaging” – Loud & Quiet
“This is not pastiche or revival – this is jazz created in a distinctly London accent” – Uncut
Mercury Prize-shortlisted, MOBO Award-winning drummer, composer and producer Moses Boyd today shares the video for his brand new single ‘Say Yeah’. A tonic for the heart, soul and feet, ‘Say Yeah’ is a euphoric hymn to the communal ecstasies of everyday sacred spaces. It evokes gratitude, unity, and joyful celebration, thoughtfully exploring Moses’ nuanced relationship with faith while still keeping one foot firmly on the dancefloor…
Directed by Prash Muralee, with creative direction by Ibrahem Hasan, the accompanying video is a heartfelt display of the power of community and coming together in pursuit of creativity and unity through music.
Speaking on the creative process for the video, Moses explains:
“Say Yeah is about joy, fun and togetherness. Making this video with the Woolwich Creative Club was exactly that. An afternoon of pure joy and laughter from beginning to end. I want this song to be for everyone. What better way than to share it with the next generation and involve them in its story.”
After five years of time largely spent working away from the spotlight, Moses Boyd has been refining his artistry with patience and precision, arriving at an assured, expansive sound that both celebrates and goes beyond the worlds of jazz.
Moses gave a first taste of this new era with a Maida Vale session with Gilles Peterson performing ‘Rye Lane Shuffle’, ‘Stranger Than Fiction’, and the new single ‘Say Yeah’, joined by an all-star UK line-up including Nubya Garcia and Theon Cross.
Support for the new single has been monumental, with radio support across all the major networks including plays from Femi Koleoso of Ezra Collective sitting in for Giles Peterson on 6Music, who dubbed it “an absolute banger…he’s an incredible musician.”Matt Wilkinson from Apple Music also welcomed Moses’ return: “I’ve always thought has been one of the most interesting characters in London. ‘Say Yeah’ I think is just an absolutely magnetic piece of music, the spiritual jazz vibe going on in it and very happy to have him back with that song.”
Speaking on ‘Say Yeah’ himself, Moses shares:
“I grew up listening to so many gospel legends like Fred Hammond and Kirk Franklin. At the time of creating this song I wanted to draw from the inspiration I’ve gotten from both these artists as well as bringing in a spiritual Jazz and UK sound-system element too. Lyrically, I wanted to create a repetitive mantra that is universal, so I wanted the hook of “Say Yeah” to be so simple it’s not limited by language or cultural differences. This is without a doubt the brightest song I’ve ever made, so I really wanted to lean into the joy of it all”
Raised in south-east London, Moses Boyd has paved his own way as one of the most innovative and influential jazz voices in contemporary British music. His critically acclaimed, Mercury Prize-nominated debut, Dark Matter was a triumphant amalgamation of flourishing live instrumentation, meticulous beat-making and protestful guest lyricism. Now ‘Say Yeah’ opens the next chapter of Moses’ music, pointing the way to a new direction that is both expansively joyous, timeless and still revolutionary at its core.
‘Say Yeah’ Artwork (Credit: Ibrahem Hasan)