The Journey of Ibrahim Alfa Jr: Resilience Through Rhythm
A Wake-Up Call
Ibrahim Alfa Jr’s experience of feeling unwell reached a pivotal moment when he noticed that the facial recognition on his phone failed to recognize him. This odd indicator was the beginning of a stark realization about his health. After a visit to his sister in 2022, she was alarmed by his appearance and hurried him to the A&E. What followed was a harrowing diagnosis: he was suffering from anaphylaxis, accompanied by a pulmonary embolism that was filling his lungs with blood. This moment struck deeply, reminding Alfa of fellow artist Andy Weatherall, whom he associated with similar health struggles and who had tragically passed away. “I thought: oh my God, that’s literally what killed Andy Weatherall,” he reflected, connecting his experience to the fragility of life.
The Aftermath of Illness
Despite initially being treated for his pulmonary embolism, Alfa soon faced a series of medical challenges. Within weeks, he endured a second embolism, followed by two heart attacks. The aftermath left him unable to tolerate most foods, becoming “allergic to everything.” For three months, he confined himself to a diet of porridge and lettuce, rarely seeing friends or engaging in social interactions. “Any type of social life just disappeared. It was that visceral,” he recalled.
Musical Outpouring
However, in this period of isolation, Alfa found solace and catharsis in music. He produced a staggering “at least 500 tracks,” describing the endeavor as akin to creating an audio diary. The material he created diverged from the tough techno sound that had previously defined his career in the late 90s and early 00s. His new album, Infinite Black Inside, features twelve tracks that defy categorization, weaving through jazz influences, heavy beats, and moments of introspection. “Once I accepted the fact that I might not live, the walls sort of came down,” Alfa expressed, emphasizing how this existential reckoning liberated his creative spirit.
A Changed Life
Despite a “really rigid medical regime,” which includes numerous medications and frequent doctor appointments, Alfa’s life has become somewhat less constrained. Meeting him in a café near his home in Hove, he explained that social interactions now require careful planning. “There’s a price to pay of having a rest afterwards,” he noted, acknowledging the ongoing impact of his health struggles.
A Multifaceted Background
Alfa’s story does not start and end with illness and recovery. Born to a Nigerian air marshal under a regime of military dictatorship, he grew up in Chichester, England, raised by guardians who were quintessentially traditional. His mother, described by Alfa as a restless spirit, whisked him away on trips to Nigeria and LA during school holidays. This travel often brought anxiety, particularly with the threat of violence against his father hanging over their family. As he navigated his formative years, the conflicting cultures influenced his artistic development.
The Allure of Techno
In a predominantly white environment where his peers leaned towards indie music, Alfa gravitated towards techno, inspired by the innovative sounds of Detroit. “I was the only Black kid in a really homogeneous culture,” he reflected. His love for science fiction allowed him to connect more deeply with the radical self-expression of Black artists in techno than with the mainstream genres of hip-hop that dominated the culture around him.
An Early Start in Music
Alfa began creating music in his late teens, even managing to get one of his tracks aired on Kiss FM by DJ Colin Dale. From there, he embedded himself in Brighton’s underground scene, collaborating with influential figures like Cristian Vogel. His career trajectory seemed set, but personal challenges loomed large. A teenage pregnancy led him to balance fatherhood with emerging musical responsibilities, pushing him to take on factory work to make ends meet.
Chaos and Transformation
Despite a promising start, Alfa’s life began to spiral. A series of personal losses, including his guardians’ deaths and a house fire that destroyed his musical equipment, contributed to a turn away from music. Relocating to London, he fell into criminality and served time in Pentonville for drug offenses. Interestingly, prison would catalyze a rebirth of his passion for music. With limited access to resources, he conjured entire tracks in his mind, maintaining his sanity amid the chaos around him.
Rediscovery After Incarceration
Upon his release, Alfa began anew with only £50 in his pocket. He seized an opportunity to buy a cheap laptop, quickly resuming music production. His sound blossomed, drawing the attention of labels eager to release his work. This second chance invigorated Alfa; he had no intention of wasting the lesson learned in confinement.
Reflecting on the Journey
With two albums already produced and the recent release of Infinite Black Inside, Alfa expresses a sense of optimism. He dreams of starting his own label and experimenting with new sounds, integrating live instrumentation into his work. The artist reflects on the evolution of his approach to music: “I was always trying to get to the centre of the maze, but now I’m just happy appreciating its beauty.” His journey through strife and creativity serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit, especially within the vibrant world of music.
