Hot Salvation

African-born experimental hip-hop producer Infinity Knives, now based in Baltimore, collaborates with Phantom Limb for the unveiling of his distinctive debut album, "Dear, Sudan"—a dynamic and multifaceted labyrinth of moods and colours.

Infinity Knives, the moniker for producer and musician Tariq Ravelomanana, transitioned from Tanzania (via Kenya, South Africa, and Madagascar) to Baltimore during his teenage years. Immersed in the raw and impassioned hip-hop culture of the city, he absorbed Western classical music and became deeply rooted in Baltimore's flourishing music scene. This amalgamation of life experiences and diverse musical influences empowered him to craft the persona of Infinity Knives, providing a glimpse into his unique energy through "Dear, Sudan."

Tariq expresses, “Music has always been my medium. Since I was a child living in Tanzania, music has been my babysitter. The one central idea I kept dwelling on was that all humans experience sorrow, but despite the fact that it's universal, we still experience it as if we were alone.”

Appropriately, Infinity Knives casts a wide and exhilarating net. "Dear, Sudan" unfolds like a masterful showcase of skilfully balanced disparate elements, akin to late-night channel-hopping between various vital and powerful musical genres. Tariq himself identifies "experimental, drone, hip hop, leftfield minimalism, neo-classical, and Baltimore" as his key styles. He shares, “I wanted 'Dear, Sudan' to be a record of the things that I enjoy, the things that keep me coming back to this life, and I wanted it to be in the language I understand the most. I hope that this album can be a companion to those in need.”