out February 23
Listen here Stream here
Album Copper here
Multi-racial west coast soulsters Baba Jenkins returns with an epic slice of classic R&B pop channeling the sleek vibes of artists like Prince and Earth Wind & Fire, complete with soaring string sections, Daft Punk vocoders and a slyly syncopated chorus. Baba Jenkins’ acclaimed debut album Copper garnered Spotify support (added to the Modern Blues Rock playlist), not to mention airplay on tastemaker outlets like SiriusXM Tom Petty Radio and Southern California’s KCSN.
According to singer Rone Worthen “GIMME ENERGY” is a raw shout-out to life’s struggles in keeping love standing strong. In the hook, I’m practically yelling, “Give me energy!” because of the need for love to stay sane. The second verse? I’m saying I’ve given my all, now it’s your turn. When the chorus hits again, it’s another loud plea, “Give me energy!”—I’m just asking for that reciprocal love to keep a relationship going strong.”
A true group effort, songwriter guitarist Guy Keefer ‘combined a soulful melody with a supersonic EDM break’ while drummer Kerwin “Skooter” Williams added the idea to incorporate the robot-like vocals to reflect ‘the whole AI thing that is dominating folks’ minds right now’.
Firm believers and practitioners in helping those in need, Baba Jenkins works closely with Sharing Love With Others, a local charitable organization that feeds 400+ people living on Los Angeles’ Skid Row every weekend. The band has donated thousands of dollars in their own ticket & merch sales to this cause, with the ultimate goal of doing this on a global scale.
Donate to Sharing Love With Others here
For more information about Baba Jenkins, go to:
Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
When Lawrence first sent me a text about this band, I was taken aback. I almost thought he had the wrong number. This wasn’t the dance music I was used to, but the sound was majestic. Baba Jenkins, as I soon discovered, was a band brimming with soul. Their music had a magnetic quality that made me envision myself effortlessly grooving along. Their songwriting is deeply rooted, and I found myself eager to delve deeper into their sound and soul.
To learn more, I reached out, and to my delight, they agreed to a short interview to promote their latest single, “GIMME ENERGY.” I felt a surge of excitement as their story unfolded before me, and I couldn’t help but be grateful that their journey had crossed my desk. For the full effect, I urge you to press play, lean back, and immerse yourself in this conversation. It’s a special one. Without further ado, allow me to introduce you to the enchanting world of Baba Jenkins.
Baba Jenkins’ goal is to inject music into your soul. Uplifting heartbreaking raw emotions…
Thanks for being here! Tell me about your new single “GIMME ENERGY”.
Thanks for having us, Ricky! The latest single was inspired by a show I saw here in LA with Sultan + Shepard. I thought it might be cool to mix funk with an EDM vibe. Hence the intro and the bridge. It was fun to create all the different electronic layers.
Tell me about your songwriting process. Do you sit down with a yellow pad or do song lyrics just come to you in your sleep?
Second one, a lot of the songs come to me while I’m supposed to be sleeping. (Laughs.) Rone also brings a lot of great ideas. Were always coming up with ideas.
What inspired “GIMME ENERGY” and do you write the lyrics first or do you have a sound in your head and work the words around the beat?
I wrote the music and Rone wrote the lyrics based on a past relationship. I didn’t really ask him but that’s my guess.
Who are the other guys in the band?
The performers on this song are me Guy Keefer guitar. Rone Worthen lead vocal. Kerwin “Skooter” Williams bass. Ekko Gaha drums.
What can fans expect from seeing Baba Jenkins live? And are you planning a tour this summer? I’d love to see you in the flesh!
Thanks bro! Just shows in LA the next 3-4 months. The Hotel Cafe is on April 11, other shows pending at Saint Rocke and the Troubador. Also in talks to play some shows in Seattle with the amazing rising star Brittany Davis in the fall.
Where did the name Baba Jenkins come from?
Rone came up with that! Baba means father in many languages, and he coupled it with the last name of Bobo Jenkins who was a very good but unrecognized blues guitarist out of Detroit in the 50s.
How did you guys meet and what inspired 4 fathers to start making music and touring together?
(Laughs.) I found Rone and Ekko and on BandMix.com and Rone brought Skooter in. I wanted to create music good enough to be nominated for a Grammy. That was and still is our inspiration.
Who designed the album cover for “GIMME ENERGY”? I dig it!
Cool, Skooter did that!
I am hearing a lot of unique sounds here. Getting alternative, rock, R&B, blues, soul… Even some country music vibes. Is that by design or are you still trying to find your sound?
Yes, that is all by design. Back when we wrote Copper, we wanted to hit different genres and LA has enough great session players that we could bring them in to get those sounds.
How did you meet vocalist Nasya Tamar and what was your experience working with her in the studio?
I met Nasya again through BandMix.com. She was great in the studio. You’ll hear Nasya on our next song which is called “Black Fire” and is being mixed as we speak by a true master Mark Rankin. We are lucky to have him on the team.
There are a lot of great live music venues in Los Angeles. Where is your favorite place to see a show?
For me I love The Greek Theatre.
Tell me more about your debut album Copper. Why 10 songs and what are your favorite singles on the album?
Mmm good question. We thought we had 10 songs that were good enough to present. I guess we could have done nine. (Laughs.) My favorite songs are “Tell Me How You Feel”, “Wild”, and “Slow Motion”.
Where did the name Copper come from?
Again, Rone came up with that. We feel like Baba Jenkins creates a lot of heat and energy in our music and in our live shows, and copper, as in the metal copper, has very high thermal and electrical conductivity properties. Too deep?
You just released “GIMME ENERGY”. When can we expect your next single? Maybe an EP later this year?
Next single is “Black Fire” which will be a fierce blues rock banger. It’s pretty sick I have to tell you I just heard the first mix yesterday from Mark Rankin. Watch out for this one we think it’s gonna blow.
Tell me more about Slow Motion and what inspired you to hit the streets and feature these beautiful people? Thank you for doing this. You really are making an impact.
Thanks man that really is our other motivation. We want to be successful enough to give back to people in need with food insecurities. “Slow Motion” is a true story and it inspired us to help the people here on Skid Row. We are better people for it.
How do you navigate challenges or disagreements within the band, and what strategies do you employ to maintain cohesion and creativity?
Another good question. Everyone is an equal member therefore all four has a say in everything.
It starts with that really. Egos have to be left at the door, it’s all about teamwork.
What is Sharing Love With Others and how can those reading at home get involved?
Sharing Love With Others is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization here in Los Angeles, based in Inglewood, which feeds over 400 of the homeless every Saturday afternoon on Skid Row . It was started by Maxine Sealey and we work directly with her and her group of amazing volunteers to do what we can to help. You can email Maxine directly at sharinglovewithothers2019@yahoo.com or their Instagram at @sharinglove2019.
What role do you think social media and online platforms play in promoting your music and connecting with your audience?
Social media plays a big role in connecting any organization to the population. We don’t use it as best as we could at this point, but we’re getting there. We spend more time and capital on the music.
Where can folks at home learn more about Baba Jenkins? Is there a newsletter, or should folks just visit your website?
All the above thanks! The newsletter is accessible on the website.
I know you’re just getting started, but what’s next for Baba Jenkins? What does the New Year look like for you guys?
We’re off to a great 2024 with Mark Rankin who has won Grammys with Adele and Harry Styles coming on board to mix all our songs and potentially produce as well.
Also – we have an important show on April 11 at The Hotel Cafe and stoked to have the amazing Brittany Davis, who I mentioned before playing with us here! If you are reading this and you’re in LA, you have to go to see this.
Thanks for doing this. That was fun! In all of the interviews I do, I always give the artist the last word. Go.
If you can visualize something in your head that means you can make it happen, so don’t be afraid to take chances and reach out to people to help you in your endeavors.
