French-Cameroonian Artist and Producer, James BKS Announces New EP

French-Cameroonian artist and producer James BKS announces his highly anticipated new EP, “See Us Rise”, released 23rd May via Grown Kid Music and Believe. A powerful seven-track body of work, “See Us Rise” fuses West African rhythms and chants with the modern sounds of hip-hop and Afro pop. The EP features previous singles “Waka Go” and “On My Way,” and includes the focus track “Ndolo,” which drops on the same day alongside a visually rich video directed by Black Anouar and written by James BKS himself.

Co-produced by JoA Touch (Gims, Shay, Franglish)and Roark Bailey (Playboi Carti, Kanye West, Lenny Kravitz), “See Us Rise” delves into themes of self-empowerment, temptation, dreams, and resilience, while “Ndolo” is an empowering song about healing and strength. Speaking about the inspiration behind the single and video, James BKS shares: “I wanted to express how healing means turning wounds into something you own, not hide. With Ndolo, it’s about a woman rebuilding herself, but her fire sparks something universal—like a rhythm we’ve all carried, quietly, for generations.”

Born in Paris, James BKS’s music creates a rich and immersive auditory experience that transcends cultural boundaries. His sound is a true bridge between souls and cultures. Deeply rooted in the richness of his Cameroonian heritage—honouring his father, the legendary Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango—and having grown up in the US, it fuses the influences of the three continents that have shaped his journey. Through his art, he celebrates the legacy he carries within, transforming his inspirations into an immersive sonic experience that invites unity and understanding.

His debut album was released in two parts: “Wolves of Africa”(2022) and “Wolves of Africa – Part 2”, both featuring standout singles like “Jungle Go Dumb”ft. will.i.am, “New Breed”with Q-Tip, Idris Elba, and Little Simz, “Kwele” ft. Allan Kingdomand Manu Dibango, and “Celebrate Blessings.”The albums featured collaborations withCarlos Santana, Angélique Kidjo, Nomcebo, Ibrahim Maalouf, Royce da 5’9’’, and Yemi Alade. They also received support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Vogue, NME, Rolling Stone, and OkayAfrica, along with a performance at Paris’ Le Théâtre du Châtelet.