ACCLAIMED PRODUCER AND ARTIST MICHAEL UZOWURU RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM “TOTAL EFFORT”
MICHAEL UZOWURU
RELEASES DEBUT ALBUM TOTAL EFFORT
AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE & LISTEN EXCLUSIVELY HERE
UNVEILS ACCOMPANYING APPAREL COLLECTION & LIMITED-EDITION BOOK
Acclaimed Nigerian American artist and producer Michael Uzowuru today releases his debut studio album total effort, available exclusively for purchase at totaleffort.com
After years of building a cult following with his behind-the-scenes work, and crafting defining records with some of the great artists of his generation, Michael Uzowuru returns to artistry on his own terms with his debut studio album total effort. A project six years in the making, encompassing an instrumental album, a book, and an apparel collection, total effort took shape in the earliest days of the COVID pandemic, as Michael sat in his home, creating what he would refer to as ‘audio sketches’ that captured his moods and thoughts in those moments. The project is the culmination of years of Michael’s work as a producer, programmer, and curator on the cutting edge of culture, as much a retrospective of his career thus far as a vision of his creative future.
Speaking to W Youth about the creative process, Michael said: “Creating for myself is similar to journaling. I'm constantly making music or thinking about music. Sometimes you don't fully understand what you're feeling until you've gotten it all out. You might think you're angry, but realize you're actually grieving. When I work with other artists, I'm perceiving their emotions and trying to fill in the cracks. I want people to see these artists the way I do, with love and humanity. With myself, I'm simply trying to express myself.”
Michael’s ceaseless dedication to craft and his own artistry is ever present, meticulously building a world that expands into multiple mediums including fashion, design and art. Developed in close collaboration with venerable London-based design firm Graphic Thought Facility, total effort unfolds as a full-length album across CD, standard vinyl, and limited collector editions; a 304-page hardback book featuring never before seen images of Michael’s creative process over the last 15 years and a foreword conversation between Michael and Spike Jonze; and a run of physical companion pieces including apparel and a candle. Visit the official store for more product information: https://totaleffort.com/store
Since beginning his career as an affiliate of famed SoCal collective Odd Future, Michael’s catalog includes widely praised and influential works from long standing collaborator Frank Ocean (“Nights,” “Chanel,” “In My Room”), SZA (“30 For 30” ft. Kendrick Lamar, “Open Arms” ft. Travis Scott, “Notice Me”), Steve Lacy ("Is it cool?" feat SZA, "oh yeah?", "LoveSexDrugBomb" feat. Cecile Believe), Rosalia (winning two Grammys for his work on her album Motomami), FKA Twigs (“Cellophane”), Beyonce (“Mood 4eva,” “Brown Skin Girl”), Vince Staples, Halsey, Kevin Abstract, Burna Boy, Snoh Aalegra, Dominic Fike, and Baby Keem among others.
In the last few years, Michael served as the executive producer for both SZA's latest deluxe Lana and breakout A24 signee girlsweetvoiced's debut album Lovesweet. Michael also played a key role in Steve Lacy’s oh yeah?, including producing and co-writing the titular hit record, which also served as the end title for global hit Spider-Man: Brand New Day.
Michael’s musical curiosity has spawned collaborations across fashion (having scored for Valentino and ad work for Louis Vuitton), TV (executive producing the soundtrack for Donald Glover's critically acclaimed series Swarm), commercials (most notably working with Spike Jonze on the music and marketing for Apple's viral "Welcome Home" Homepod commercial), and film (contributing extensively to the music for Michelle Obama's documentary Becoming).
total effort tracklist:
july 2nd 2_please move a little to the side your’re blocking the sun
july 2nd 1_brutal honesty
may 13th_ it's a matter of compassion (swing)
january 25th_figment of perspective (hardwood)
march 17th_change of plans (meet in the middle)
september 18th_half cab
october 4th_ ritenere credere
june 25th_my idle mind tells me to create
january 24th_ zeiss (you are far)
october 4th_sustainable progress (entire) replacement
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