Tony Njoku - Rhododendrons

British-Nigerian vocalist, producer, multi-instrumentalist and avant-pop auteur Tony Njoku announces he is joining the PRAH family (home to Falle Nioke, Hiro Ama and more), alongside a breathtaking, self-directed video for his new single Rhododendrons: http://ffm.to/rhododendrons

Drawing influence from a sprawling map of touchstones that takes in everything from Aphex Twin and early Warp Records, to trap-inspired hip-hop, spooled out hyperpop and R&B, Tony’s work has personified an artist working in sandbox mode, pushing his own boundaries and sculpting his own sonic identity.

His new single Rhododendrons is something of a metamorphosis, gently erupting into cascading strings and forceful guitars, with Tony’s distinct crooning falsetto gluing it all together. It’s indicative of an artist now completely comfortably in his own creative skin.

The accompanying video is an immersive collage of vibrant visuals, which is heavily inspired by Sergei Parajanov’s film The Colour Of Pomegranate, as well as the Rider Waite tarot deck illustrations. Teaming up with a group of actors, they help illustrate Tony’s metaphor for growth and change.

Speaking on the single / video, Tony explains: "The song is a soundtrack to my own metamorphosis. The archetype of the cocooned caterpillar and the butterfly or the flower blooming in springtime. New beginnings. The video too showcases that. A myriad of symbolic imagery, a poetic gesture as an ode to healing. It’s just an expression, pure and loving."

Director & Music Artist: Tony Njoku
Assistant Director: Gregor Davies-Ratcliffe
Producer: Jordan Woods
Assistant Producer: Dominic Mckiernan
DOP: Gregor Davies-Ratcliffe
Set Production: Jordan Woods
Creative Direction & Costumes: Enita Dafinone
MUA: Imani Naghten (Assisted by Janet Naghten)
Gaffer: Jordan Woods, Fahmi Safa & Ina Tatarko
Florist: Naailah Khalifa
Snake Handler: Alénee Aisha and The Serpentsss

Editor: Wilbur Roberts
VFX: Zach Beech
Graphics: Wilbur Roberts
Colourist: Wilbur Roberts

Cast: James Anite, Josh Devereux, Liz Mbu, Ellie Rose Davies, Chloe Ollis Smith, Srishti Guru, Biba Williams, Drey Ndlovu, Raymond Njoku, Emilia Nurmukhametova, Sandie von Brockdorff, Roz White, AJ White

http://ffm.to/rhododendrons