Kamaal Williams, born Henry Gilbert Williams on December 14, 1989, in Peckham, South London, is a British musician and record producer who has made significant contributions to the broken beat and indie jazz scenes. Growing up in a multicultural environment with a Taiwanese mother and British father, both architects, Williams was exposed to creativity and diverse influences from an early age.
Williams began his musical journey in primary school, taking up drums and percussion. He later studied music production and keys at Southwark College. His career started with producing house and broken beat music under the name Henry Wu. Under this moniker, he has released several EPs and albums, including:
In 2016, Williams rose to prominence as part of the duo Yussef Kamaal, alongside drummer Yussef Dayes. The pair gained attention after a stunning performance at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards. Their debut album "Black Focus" (2016) was critically acclaimed, reaching number 26 in the Official Charts Company's Jazz & Blues chart. The album was lauded for its fusion of spiritual jazz funk, broken beat, and global sounds. Yussef Kamaal won the 'Breakthrough Act' award at the 2017 Jazz FM awards.
Following the split of Yussef Kamaal in 2017, Williams launched his solo career and established his own record label, Black Focus Records. His debut solo album "The Return" was released in 2018, charting at number 63 in the UK, continuing the style of "Black Focus" but focusing on pure groove and live instrumentation.
Williams' subsequent albums include:
"Wu Hen" was noted for its maturity and experimentation with genres, blending jazz with R&B, funk, and electronic elements. "Stings," his most recent release, incorporates more oriental imagery and melodic elements.
Williams' musical style is characterized by improvisation and a fusion of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, and EDM, which he calls "Wu Funk." He cites diverse influences including:
His music is deeply rooted in the sound and pace of London, reflecting the city's fast-paced, capitalist environment.
In live performances, Williams and his band emphasize improvisation, allowing for spontaneous and loose structures that enable self-expression. This approach has been compared to having a musical conversation on stage.
Williams has rejected the term "jazz" being applied to his music, citing its elitist and traditionalist connotations. Instead, he sees his work as bridging the gap between commercial and soulful music, staying true to the sound of his generation.
Throughout his career, Williams has collaborated with various artists and released music on multiple labels, including:
He has also contributed to soundtracks, such as the film "Boogie" (2021).
In addition to his studio albums, Williams has released DJ mix albums, including "DJ-Kicks: Kamaal Williams" (2019). His work continues to evolve, with each release showcasing his growth as an artist and his ability to blend diverse musical influences into a unique and compelling sound.
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