Wilfred Cisse is carving his own space. With a knack for exploring the boundaries of hip-hop, paired with his skill for artfully merging genres and dressing like he’s just walked out of a Savile Row Tailor’s, the London-based artist’s latest EP, Step 1, Stand Up, is an ode to his individuality. With the tracks co-produced by musician Dom Stern, Cisse is judge, jury and executioner when it comes to his cinematic visuals. Each energetic track has an equally personal video to go along with it, shot, edited and colour graded by Cisse himself. Released April 24, Step 1, Stand Up, is a personal journey that navigates love in all its forms, from romantic connections and familial bonds to self-love – its message underpinned by a playful fusion of hip-hop, rock, electronic and gospel.
The track, Through the Motion, closes the EP with a reflective tone, reflecting on the personal changes that go hand in hand with falling in love. As Cisse likes to put it, it’s as if putting “[his] favourite poem in a rap format”. Teasers for the Through the Motion video have dropped on Instagram and are shot against an urban London backdrop. Embracing the artist’s distinctive visual language which riffs on surrealism, the video features Cisse in various dreamlike settings. With each shot captured from a camera propped up by a shoe balanced upon bike, the scenes have an image-in-motion feel to them, reflecting the message of the track. Here, we sat down with Cisse to chat all things visual inspirations, looking sharp and where he wants to perform next.
1. How would you describe your sound in three words?
Audiorgasmic hip-hop.
2. What inspired your EP Step 1, Stand Up?
I’m a people-watcher and I find joy in conversations people have with me and in passing, so this EP is a mixture of my story and others’ that have stuck with me – the result of creating something tangible from memories.
3. If you could have dinner with three of your musical icons, dead or alive, who would they be?
Fatoumata Diawara, Fela Kuti and Adele.
4. Do you have a favourite track and if so why?
I love questions like this because I actually have favourite things. My favourite song period is Africa by Salief Keita, it’s the first song I can remember hearing and it just feels GOOD!
5. You’ve just dropped the music video for the track Through the Motion – what inspired the video’s aesthetic?
The song was actually from a freestyle where I said, “Amongst the hush tone we marvelled at El Anatsui Stones… memories woven so boldly“. I was comparing life and relationships to that of art pieces in museums, some you only see from a far and others you’re allowed to touch, this line was the inspirations for the video, I wanted to make something visually spectacular and reflective of these lyrics.
6. The visuals for the video are very cinematic – what’s one film you always go back to when you want to be inspired?
I look at a lot of paintings and collages, I try my best not to look for inspiration in my field out of fear or being influenced/replicating. I hugely admire the work of Frank Lebon though, amazing mind.
7. If you could have a producing credit on one album throughout time, what would it be?
I actually want to produce and contribute writing an album for ASAP Rocky, I feel like he’s done a lot of cool stuff but musically has the most potential to expand further than all the A-list musicians (right now). I’d love to have been in the room when Harry Styles was making Harry’s House though, there’s no weak song on that album.
8. You used to be a Savile Row tailor – what’s your go-to advice for always looking sharp?
Wear clothes that fit you, burns your teeth and shower (your scent is also part of the fit) and if you don’t know what to do colour wise, just think ‘sandwich‘ (dark shoes, light pants and dark top or vice versa).
9. If you could perform in any city in the world, where would it be?
I’d love to perform in Nigeria or anywhere in West Africa [by the way] my people give me so much hope and inspiration in general.
10. What’s coming up for you in the next year?
More music, more videos, more collaborations and more shows, I only want to get better and give my all, always.
Photography by Peter O’Sullivan.
