Moses Ideka - An Emerging Musical Force

Moses Ideka Live in Tokyo Flyer. Credit: @gvmskool on Instagram

Since May of 2023, Moses Ideka has been steadily releasing quality music. His seminal track Cast Out is intimate and catchy, featuring his incredible vocal abilities and moody, trap-infused production. Subsequent singles have followed, and months after releasing his first EP Working Order in July of last year, he took a leap across the pond from London to perform his very first concert in Tokyo, Japan.

I was fortunate to witness some great performances in Japan with only one week under my belt. From the silent metro rides to the pristine streets, Japan seemed unlikely to harbor a bustling underground culture, but beneath the surface there lies a young, hip scene that doesn't mirror its exterior. That being said, seeing Moses Ideka live in Tokyo was an incredible experience. The show was hosted at Music Bar Lion, a small club with a large presence nestled in the heart of Shibuya. The room ignited all the senses, as it was dark, smoke-filled, and packed to the brim. As I entered, the scene was similar to that of an exhibit, with performers showcasing their abilities in front of a glass wall overlooking the metro and the city. Supported by local acts Islnd, It-Works, and Big Animal Theory, along with his cousin Minzi Roberta on the decks after the show, the night included a wide range of sounds from hip-hop to jungle, afrobeat, pop, and R&B. 

After the vibe was set by the openers, Moses kept the energy high with his infectious energy and stage presence. He commanded the room with ease, managing to get everyone as low as the floor and as high as heads near the ceiling. Throughout the show it became evident that his work draws from a vast musical landscape, likely supplemented by his travels to and from Africa, Asia, and the UK. His stellar vocal capabilities afford him the ability to experiment with styles and genres which he did seamlessly; the track Do It For You is a great example, as he strays from stripped production and opts for grand amapiano drum patterns. When this track dropped it was certainly a surprise but one that was wholly embraced, evident by the crowd's synchronous “WOAHH” (especially among the fellow members of African descent) after the first beat dropped. 

Track after track, Moses engaged the audience and maintained their attention, catering to the tastes of many without straying too close to the territory of “main-stream”. The ability to weave between genres while maintaining a sense of authenticity is rare and unique - a skill he’s clearly been honing, evident by his capacity to traverse a wide array of beat selections. Moses has covered a significant amount of sonic ground over the few singles and EPs he’s released, pairing infectious lyrics and intimate vocal performances with elements of trap, electronic, dance, amapiano, and ambient music. His musical versatility suggests that any direction will result in success.

A still from the Do It For You music video.

In a post-concert announcement he stated that new music is on the way. Keep it locked and stay tuned for more to come.