Exclusive Premiere: Footshooter “Obelisk” feat. Natty Wylah & brother portrait
We’re excited to announce the latest drop from Tru Thoughts’ newest signee, Footshooter, aka South London producer and DJ Barney Whittaker. After the success of his anthemic broken house single “Here To Learn” featuring Andre Espeut, Footshooter returns with the slick and breezy “Obelisk,” dropping on Tuesday, September 17th. This one’s a true collaboration, as Barney links up with two heavyweights in the game—rappers Natty Wylah and brother portrait—for a deep, cosmic cut that blends introspective bars with body moving rhythms.
Reflecting on the magic of the collab, the trio share a mutual admiration for each other’s craft. Footshooter says, “I had wanted to get Natty and Portrait on a track together for years, knowing that their flows would complement each other perfectly.” Natty Wylah adds, “Bouncing off artists that I am inspired by is a beautiful thing… Footshooter sent the sonics and they provoked some cosmic but gritty like the city is imagery… joining forces with brother portrait is magical – one for the lyricists to geek to and the freaks to move their feet to!!” brother portrait echoes the sentiment: “It’s always an honour to be invited to offer vocals for a Footshooter tune. Natty is a wicked and wise MC who I’ve wanted to connect with for a while. The instrumental had us both bouncing and ponderous, Natty’s hook set the tone and off we went. A flowing lyrical back and forth, steel sharpening steel”.
Footshooter’s signature sound draws from broken beat, jazz, house, and beyond, creating a soulful, forward-thinking fusion that pays homage to its roots. His past work as Footshooter and as part of SAUL (alongside Jack Stephenson-Oliver on Rhythm Section International) has garnered love across the airwaves, from BBC Radio 1 and 1XTRA to Jazz FM and Rinse FM, with support from tastemakers like Gilles Peterson, Zakia, Bradley Zero, Alexander Nut, and Jamz Supernova. As a resident on Balamii Radio for the past five years, Footshooter’s monthly show ‘Sonic Fruits’ has been a hub for creative collaborations, hosting artists like Brother Portrait, Allysha Joy, Laura Misch, and many more.
Known for his musically diverse live sets, Footshooter has graced iconic stages from Boiler Room London to Alexandra Palace, The Jazz Cafe, and the Barbican Centre. He’s also a staple on the festival circuit, having performed at Brainchild, We Out Here, and Love Supreme.
Get ready to dive into “Obelisk”—a track that promises to make both feet tap and minds wander, continuing Footshooter’s journey through the sonic landscape.