{{short description|British vocalist, songwriter and musician (born 1983)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}} {{Use British English|date=July 2015}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Ghostpoet | image = Ghostpoet_in_2023.jpg | caption = Dr. Obaro Ejimiwe (Ghostpoet) in 2023 | birth_name = Obaro Ejimiwe | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1983|1|18}} | birth_place = [[London]], England | occupation = {{hlist|vocalist| songwriter| musician| DJ|}} | years_active = 2009–present | genre = {{hlist| [[Trip hop]]| [[electronica]]| [[experimental hip-hop]]| [[spoken word]]| [[alt-rock]]| [[art pop]]|}} | label = {{hlist|[[PIAS Recordings|PIAS]]|[[Brownswood Recordings|Brownswood]]|}} | website = {{URL|ghostpoet.co.uk}} <br>{{URL|obaroejimiwe.com}} }}
'''Ghostpoet''' (born '''Obaro Ejimiwe'''; 18 January 1983) is a British vocalist, songwriter and musician.<ref name=AllMusic-Bio>{{cite web |last=Kellman |first=Andy |title=Ghostpoet Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ghostpoet-mn0002576177#biography |work=[[AllMusic]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718084647/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ghostpoet-mn0002576177#biography |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=27 March 2025}}</ref> He released five critically acclaimed albums with two being nominated for the [[Mercury Prize]].<ref name="Mercury Prize 2011">{{cite web |date=19 July 2011 |title=Mercury Prize 2011 nominees |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-14197384 |work=[[BBC News]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410091004/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-14197384 |archive-date=10 April 2019 |access-date=16 March 2025}}</ref><ref name="Mercury Prize 2015">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-34528483 |title=Mercury Prize 2015 nominees |work=BBC News |date=16 October 2015 |access-date=16 March 2025}}</ref> Based in Berlin,<ref name="Bandcamp">{{cite web |url=https://ghostpoet.bandcamp.com |title=Bandcamp artist page |website=Bandcamp |access-date=2025-03-15}}</ref> he has expanded his work to include fine art since 2021.<ref name="Doctorate">{{cite web|url=https://www.coventry.ac.uk/news/2022/inspiring-individuals-set-to-be-honoured-by-coventry-university/ |title=Inspiring individuals set to be honoured by Coventry University |website=Coventry University |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
Ejimiwe was born in South London to a Nigerian father and a [[Dominica]]n mother.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nataal.com/ghostpoet |title=The inimitable musician discusses his fifth album |website=Naatal |access-date=2025-03-17}}</ref> At the age of 18, he enrolled at Coventry University<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.electronicsound.co.uk/features/under-the-influence/ghostpoet/ |title=Ghostpoet – Obaro Ejimiwe to his friends – reflects on the influences that have shaped his life and career |website=Electronic Sound magazine |access-date=2025-03-15}}</ref><ref name="Brownswood">{{cite web|url=https://www.soundcloud.com/brownswood/podcast-ghostpoet |title=Podcast // Ghostpoet in the Brownswood Basement |website=SoundCloud |access-date=2025-03-17}}</ref> and joined a grime/MC collective there.<ref name="Brownswood" /><ref>{{cite news|newspaper=KCRW Music News|title=Ghostpoet: Love from London|url=https://www.kcrw.com/music/articles/ghostpoet-love-from-london|last=Reynolds|first=Rachel|date=7 October 2011|access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref> After moving back to London, he received two [[Mercury Prize]] nominations, for ''[[Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam]]'' (2011)<ref name="Mercury Prize 2011" /> and for ''[[Shedding Skin]]'' (2015).<ref name="Mercury Prize 2015" /> Other critically acclaimed albums are ''[[Some Say I So I Say Light]]'' (2013), ''[[Dark Days + Canapés]]'' (2017), and ''[[I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep]]'' (2020).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/ghostpoet-mn0002576177#discography |title=Allmusic artist page: discography |website=Allmusic |access-date=2025-03-16}}</ref> Since 2021, Ejimiwe has expanded his artistic practice into sound art, sculpture, installation, photography and video.<ref name="HKW">{{cite web|url=https://www.hkw.de/programme/contributors/obaro-ejimiwe |title=Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Germany| website=HKW |access-date=2025-03-15}}</ref> He lives and works in Berlin, Germany.<ref name="Bandcamp" />
==History== Ghostpoet's first known recordings were on the two mixtapes from 2009 Filthy Friends by [[Micachu]] and [[Kwesachu Mixtape Vol.1]] by [[Kwes]] and Micachu.<ref>Slater, Luke (2009) "[http://drownedinsound.com/news/4137091 Download: Micachu mixtape Kwesachu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100216012807/http://drownedinsound.com/news/4137091 |date=16 February 2010 }}", ''[[Drowned in Sound]]'', 11 June 2009. Retrieved 21 March 2025</ref>
In June 2010, Ghostpoet self-released his first EP, ''The Sound of Strangers'', and was later featured in ''[[The Guardian]]''{{'}}s "New Band of the Day".<ref>{{cite news|title=New band of the day (No 799): Ghostpoet |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=2 June 2010 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/jun/02/new-band-ghostpoet |first=Paul |last=Lester|access-date=19 March 2025}}</ref>
Ghostpoet's first single, "Cash & Carry Me Home", was released on 24 January 2011, followed by the debut album on 7 February 2011, ''[[Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam]]''. His single "Survive It" was launched in Rough Trade East Record store, on London's Brick Lane on 9 May 2011.<ref>{{cite news |title=Disorder magazine Ghostpoet Interview at Rough Trade East Album Launch |publisher=Journalist Jameela Oberman |date=16 June 2011 |url=http://jameelaoberman.com/2011/06/16/ghostpoet-interview-reviewdisorder-magazine/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105220931/http://jameelaoberman.com/2011/06/16/ghostpoet-interview-reviewdisorder-magazine/ |archive-date=5 November 2011 |df=dmy }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=An early contender for 2011's finest out-of-leftfield long-players |publisher=BBC Music |date=2 February 2011 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/4qfd |first=Adam |last=Kennedy}}</ref>
In 2011, he supported [[Metronomy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.blindfun.com/ghostpoet-unveils-new-single-and-support-slot-with-metronomy/ |work=Blindfun |title=Ghostpoet unveils new single and support slot with Metronomy |date=12 April 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327161407/http://www.blindfun.com/ghostpoet-unveils-new-single-and-support-slot-with-metronomy/ |archive-date=27 March 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> and [[Jamie Woon]]<ref>{{cite web| url=http://soundblab.com/content/content/view/id/3397 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110603182539/http://soundblab.com/content/content/view/id/3397 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=3 June 2011 |work=Soundlab |title=Jamie Woon/Ghostpoet |date=22 February 2011}}</ref> on their tours and performed at [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/ghostpoet-added-to-west-holts-line-up/ |title=Ghostpoet added to West Holts line-up |website=GlastonburyFestivals |date=16 June 2011 |access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> [[Sónar]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://de.ra.co/events/212571 |title=Sonar by Day 2011 - Friday |website=Resident Advisor |access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> [[Latitude Festival|Latitude]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.latitudefestival.com/news/latitude-loves-the-lake-stage-with-huw-stephens/ |title=Latitude loves the Lake Stage with Hugh Stephens |website=LatitudeFestival |date=16 July 2020 |access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> [[Secret Garden Party]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://boilerroom.tv/session/live-from-secret-garden-party |title=Secret Garden Party |website=BoilerRoom |access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> and [[Bestival]],<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2011/sep/10/bestival-2011-saturday-in-pictures |title=Bestival 2011 - Saturday in pictures |work=The Guardian |date=10 September 2011}}</ref> among others. Ghostpoet was among the nominees for the 2011 [[Mercury Prize]].<ref name="Mercury Prize 2011" />
In 2012, Ghostpoet's track "Finished I Ain't" appeared in the soundtrack of ''[[Sleeping Dogs (video game)|Sleeping Dogs]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1832730279 |title=Sleeping Dogs - Soundtrack list |website=Steamcommunity |access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/my-favourite-games-ghost-poet/ |title=My Favourite Game: Ghostpoet |website=GamesRadar+ |date=24 February 2015 |access-date=26 March 2025}}</ref> and in the introduction title sequence to [[Top Boy#Series 1 (2011)|Top Boy (season 1)]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Dylan-Wray |first=Daniel |date=6 December 2018 |title=5 Brownswood Recordings artists pick their favourite records on the label |url=https://www.redbull.com/int-en/brownswood-records-5-artists-pick |work=[[Red Bull]] |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nwonka |first=Clive |date=7 September 2022 |title=Top Boy in context |url=https://www.bfi.org.uk/features/top-boy-context |work=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Nesling |first=Jodie |date=5 September 2018 |title=Netflix drama Top Boy filmed in Margate |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/thanet/news/filming-for-netlix-continues-189268/ |work=[[Kent Online]] |access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref> The EP "Meltdown" with guest vocals by [[Woodpecker Wooliams]], was released in April 2013.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=15 August 2021|title=Watch: Ghostpoet – Meltdown|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/videos/music-video/watch-ghostpoet-meltdown-123123|website=[[The Line of Best Fit]]}}</ref>
Ghostpoet's second album, ''[[Some Say I So I Say Light]]'', was released on 6 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|access-date=15 August 2021|title=Ghostpoet: Some Say I So I Say Light – review|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/may/09/ghostpoet-some-say-i-review|date=9 May 2013|website=The Guardian}}</ref> The album was preceded by the single "MSI musmiD", made available as a free download from [[SoundCloud]].
His third album, [[Shedding Skin]], was released on 2 March 2015. The album featured guest appearances by [[Nadine Shah]], [[Etta Bond]], [[Mélanie De Biasio]], [[Lucy Rose]] and [[Paul Smith (rock vocalist)|Paul Smith]]. The album was shortlisted for the 2015 [[Mercury Prize]].<ref name="Mercury Prize 2015" />
In 2016, Ghostpoet was featured on [[Massive Attack]]'s song "Come Near Me", the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]] to "[[The Spoils (song)|The Spoils]]".<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.universal-music.de/massive-attack/videos/come-near-me-feat-ghostpoet-408465 |title=Come Near Me feat. Ghostpoet |publisher=Universal Music Group |access-date=17 March 2025}}</ref> In the same year, Ghostpoet curated the West Balkans edition of the [[British Council]]'s interactive music project Mix the City, travelling around the region to record samples with various local musicians, and creating his own mix for the region.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britishcouncil.org/contact/press/Mix-The-City-allows-users-to-create-their-own-mix |title=Mix The City allows users to create their own mix |publisher=British Council |access-date=15 March 2025}}</ref>
In April 2017, Ghostpoet released the single "Immigrant Boogie" via [[PIAS Recordings|Play It Again, Sam]]. The track was produced by [[Leo Abrahams]] and mixed by Leo and [[Kristofer Harris]]. The track is the first from the album ''Dark Days + Canapés''.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/latest-news/ghostpoet-returns-with-menacing-new-single-immigrant-boogie|title=Ghostpoet returns with menacing new single "Immigrant Boogie"|work=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|access-date=23 May 2017}}</ref>
Ghostpoet released his fourth studio record, [[Dark Days + Canapés]] on 18 August 2017. His fifth album, ''[[I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep]]'', was released on 1 May 2020.
In November 2022, Obaro Ejimiwe received an Honorary Doctorate of Art by [[Coventry University]] in recognition of his extensive contribution to the arts.<ref name="Doctorate" />
In 2023, he performed on a new version of Massive Attack's "Paradise Circus" for the feature-length film ''[[Luther: The Fallen Sun]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Version of 'Paradise Circus' from 'Luther: The Fallen Sun' Released |url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/02/24/new-version-of-paradise-circus-from-luther-the-fallen-sun-released/ |website=Film Music Reporter |date=24 February 2023 |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref>
In May 2024, Ghostpoet released his third EP entitled 'Am I the Change I Wish to See?' on his own independent label ''Modern Revenge Records'' via his Bandcamp page.<ref name="Bandcamp" /> In the same year, he composed the music for the short film 'Ataraxy 33' by Curtis Essel, in which the Brazilian dancer Noan Alves from the [[Stuttgart Ballet]] plays the leading role.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://berlinfashionfilm.awardsengine.com/?action=ows:entries.details&e=169104&project_year=2024 |title= CRAFT (Best Direction) {{!}} ATARAXY 33 |work=Awards Engine |access-date=21 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://winners.lovieawards.com/categories/2024/film-video/general-video/all/#w317672 |title=ATARAXY 33 |work=[[International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences#Lovie Awards|Lovie Awards]] |access-date=22 July 2025}}</ref>
==Influences== Ghostpoet stated in an interview that he was inspired by musical mavericks and rule breakers, artists who have dared to swim against the current.<ref name="9 Songs">{{Cite news|url=https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/ghostpoet-nine-favourite-songs|title=Nine Songs {{!}} Ghostpoet|work=[[The Line of Best Fit]]|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> He has shown a preference for innovative musicians who push the boundaries, take risks and combine different genres.<ref name="13 Albums">{{Cite news|url=https://thequietus.com/interviews/bakers-dozen/ghostpoet-favourite-albums|title=Emotional Experimentation: Ghostpoet's Favourite Albums|last=Hasson|first=Thomas|work=[[The Quietus]]|date=12 June 2013|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref> As examples, he mentioned the following artists several times in interviews: [[Badly Drawn Boy]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="DJ Mag">{{Cite news|url=https://djmag.com/content/lucky-7-ghostpoet|title=Lucky 7: Ghostpoet|work=[[DJ Mag]]|last=Whitehurst|first=Andrew|date= 21 October 2013|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref><ref name="TheGuardian (2025-03)">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/29/soundtrack-my-life-ghostpoet-peanut-butter-blues-melancholy-jam|title=Interview {{!}} Ghostpoet: soundtrack of my life|last=Fox|first=Killian|work=[[The Guardian]]|date= 29 March 2015|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> [[Radiohead]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="TheGuardian (2025-03)" /> [[Muddy Waters]],<ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="DJ Mag"/><ref name="TheGuardian (2025-03)" /> [[Portishead (band)|Portishead]],<ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="Port Magazine">{{Cite news|url=https://www.port-magazine.com/music/soundtrack-ghostpoet-2/|title=Soundtrack: Ghostpoet|work=Port Magazine|last=Ejimiwe|first=Obaro|date= 25 September 2020|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> [[Pharoah Sanders]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /> [[The Clash]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /> [[Captain Beefheart]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /> [[Fela Kuti]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="13 Albums" /> [[Serge Gainsbourg]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="VinylFactory">{{Cite news|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/everyday-is-different-ghostpoet-picks-five-of-his-favourite-records/|title=Everyday is different: Ghostpoet picks five of his favourite records|last=Spice|first=Anton|work=[[The Vinyl Factory]]|date= 27 June 2013|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> [[Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds]],<ref name="9 Songs" /><ref name="Mixdown">{{Cite news|url=https://mixdownmag.com.au/features/interviews/ghostpoet/|title=Interviews {{!}} Ghostpoet |work=[[Mixdown]]|date= April 2015|access-date=24 March 2025}}</ref> [[Little Dragon]],<ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="VinylFactory" /> and [[Squarepusher]].<ref name="13 Albums" /><ref name="TheGuardian (2025-03)" />
==Visual art== Since 2021, Ejimiwe has expanded his artistic practice into sound art, sculpture, installation, photography and video.<ref name="HKW" /> In 2022 Ejimiwe premiered, in collaboration with artist Luiza Prado de O. Martins, the large-scale installation and performance series ''Blacknuss! Technologies of Joy, Care, and Intimacy'' at the [[Kampnagel]] International Summer Festival, in Hamburg.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blacknuss! Technologies of Joy, Care, and Intimacy |url=https://kampnagel.de/produktionen/sf22-blacknuss |website=Kampnagel Hamburg |access-date=7 May 2023}}</ref> In his work, Ejimiwe explores themes related to African spiritualism, masculinity, identity, and Black joy.<ref name="HKW" />
==Discography==
{{main|Ghostpoet discography}}
* ''[[Peanut Butter Blues & Melancholy Jam]]'' (2011) * ''[[Some Say I So I Say Light]]'' (2013) * ''[[Shedding Skin]]'' (2015) * ''[[Dark Days + Canapés]]'' (2017) * ''[[I Grow Tired But Dare Not Fall Asleep]]'' (2020)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.ghostpoet.co.uk}} * {{AllMusic |id=mn0002576177 |title=Ghostpoet}}
{{Authority control}}
[[Category:1983 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Alumni of Coventry University]] [[Category:English people of Dominica descent]] [[Category:English people of Nigerian descent]] [[Category:PIAS Recordings artists]] [[Category:21st-century English male singers]] [[Category:21st-century Black British male singers]] [[Category:Brownswood Recordings artists]] [[Category:Trip hop musicians]] [[Category:Downtempo musicians]]