Samurai Banana

Born in Providence, RI and based in Brooklyn, NY, Samurai Banana has a long history of making music ranging from aggressive to beautiful to bizarre. With an ever-evolving style all his own, his sound incorporates everything from samples to synths to theremins. As a producer, Samurai Banana has worked with a number of artists, such as Guillotine Crowns, Teddy Faley, Tomorrow Kings, and, of course, the Karma Kids, the NYC-based rap collective of which he is a member. Behind the turntables, he has provided sharp, creative cuts on a wide range of projects, most recently Jeff Markey and SKECH185’s critically acclaimed album “He Left Nothing for the Swim Back.” As a live DJ, he’s been behind the wheels for a slew of artists, and provided regular mixes of the newest hip hop as the cohost of the Dope Sh!t Podcast alongside Uncommon Nasa.

Having produced albums for rappers such as Lt Headtrip and Duncecap, Samurai Banana is now making his solo debut with his new album, “Just Tired.” An entirely instrumental album, “Just Tired” takes the listener on a journey through Banana’s psyche, reflecting his struggles with depression, bipolar disorder, and self-harm. It demonstrates Banana’s ability to capture a large spectrum of feelings and emotions through a mix of soothing pads, screeching synths, and driving percussion. Banana pulls from multiple styles of hip hop and electronic music to create something truly unique and cohesive. Combined with a booklet of flash fiction meant to accompany each song (paired with original artwork by Richard Gann), Samurai Banana creates an immersive experience that’s sure to give listeners a visceral reaction.