Bleep

Introducing Brooklyn-based producer and vocalist Jitwam, who today shares his latest house-tinged and highly anticipated single ‘Brooklyn Ballers’.

Hailing from Assam in northeast India, raised in so-called Australia and now based in New York, the self-proclaimed “psychedelic soul savant” has steadily carved out his own lane and cemented himself as a global sector and live performer and label front at The Jazz Diaries. With a signature style that moves across an array of genres, Jitwam's music bounces between dance-floor tempos, jazz influences and soulful beatscapes that burst with a palpable rhythm section, drawing in listeners time and time again.

‘Brooklyn Ballers’ is an enigmatic showcase of Jitwam’s knowledge in music, having spent years digging through crates to hone in his talent as a multi-instrumentalist that is sonically reminiscent of Omar S, Jordan Rakei and Setwun to deliver nostalgic and soulful notes over far-reaching, deep percussive grooves. The track is an unorthodox compilation of alternative cuts that reverberate a space evocative of Detroit house and dance-influenced basslines. In his words, Jitwam explains “Brooklyn Ballers is a homage to the city in all its hustle and bustle. The magic in the air, that can make dreams come true and can turn your fears into your worst nightmares.”

For Jitwam, his career in music has always felt predestined. The first record he bought - a $2 blank white-label vinyl - turned out to be a Moodymann track, a discovery he made around the same time he found out his music would be featured on Moodymann’s DJ Kicks compilation. Finding success through two LPs, ‘ज़ितम सिहँ’ and Honeycomb, and acclaimed tracks including ‘WhereYouGonnaGo’ and ‘busstop’ Jitwam has become a mainstay of the underground, having guested on NTS, WorldWide FM, BBC6 Music amongst others. He has also remixed Laraaji, collaborated with Folamour - whose Boiler Room has had nearly a million views - as well as Cosmo’s Midnight on Defected Records, alongside having a track on the renowned compilation ‘Fabric Presents… Maribou State’. Incorporating sounds from across the world, Jitwam marries incisive political commentary with deep introspection to create work that is, at once, wrenchingly intimate and sweetly playful.