Duval Timothy

Last updated
Duval Timothy
Born (1989-10-02) 2 October 1989 (age 34)
London, England, UK
Genres Hip hop  · nu jazz  · postminimalism
Occupation(s)Pianist ·composer ·music producer
Labels
  • I Should Care
  • Carrying Colour
Website duvaltimothy.co.uk

Duval Kojo Bankole Timothy (born 2 October 1989) is a pianist, composer, and music producer based in London, England and Freetown, Sierra Leone. He has released four solo albums, an EP titled 2 Sim in 2018, and the split album Son with Rosie Lowe in 2021. [1] His music incorporates themes of hip hop, nu jazz, and postminimalism. [2] He has produced songs for a variety of artists including Kendrick Lamar, Solange, Vegyn, Nosaj Thing, Mount Kimbie, Mr. Mitch, and Loyle Carner.

Contents

Timothy is also an avid photographer, videographer, visual artist, and cook. [3]

Early life

Timothy was born on October 2, 1989, in London, England. His mother is English and his father is of Sierra Leonean and Ghanaian descent. [4] He began playing piano at the age of 13, inspired by artists like Amy Winehouse. He graduated from Central Saint Martins with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. [4]

Career

Timothy wrote and recorded his first album DUKOBANTI while in school in 2012. In 2016, he released his second album Brown Loop with I Should Care Records. The album was out of print for several years before being re-released in 2020 under his personal label. [5]

During the period of 2011 to 2016, Timothy and collaborators Folayemi Brown and Jacob Fodio Todd ran a pop-up restaurant called The Groundnut in South London, serving sub-Saharan African dishes twice a month. [6] In 2015, Timothy, Brown, and Todd published The Groundnut Cookbook through Penguin, which features recipes served at the restaurant. [7]

His third album Sen Am was released in 2017. The title means 'send it' in Krio; the album samples WhatsApp messages from family and friends in Sierra Leone with solo piano compositions. The Guardian called the album "an immersive, cross-cultural dialogue". [8]

In 2017, he created Carrying Colour, a record label and clothing/lifestyle brand. He recorded his fourth album Son with Rosie Lowe at the label's studio in Freetown. A children's book with the same name was created featuring illustrations by Timothy and Lowe. [9]

Timothy released the extended play "2 Sim" in 2018. It was created from two months of field recordings and interviews with family and friends in Freetown. It was accompanied by a short film of the same name. He released his third album Help in 2020, featuring diverse instrumentals from various other artists in London. [10] In 2022, Timothy released Meeting with a Judas Tree, a short album incorporating more synth strains. [11]

In recent years, he has collaborated with several hip-hop artists providing piano and album production. His instrumentals are featured on a song from Solange's When I Get Home and four tracks from Kendrick Lamar's Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers . [12]

Personal life

Timothy has participated in a variety of local art projects such as weaving sustainable fabrics in Freetown, designing tapestries in New Orleans and Chicago, and constructing a football pitch in Trinity Buoy Wharf, London. He also sells homemade ginger beer on the streets around UK, a recipe for which is included in The Groundnut Cookbook. [11]

He only wears blue clothing in homage to the "blue borough" of Lewisham where he grew up. [3]

Discography

Albums

Singles and EPs

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pitchfork Music Festival</span> American annual summer music festival held in Chicago

The Pitchfork Music Festival is an annual music festival in Union Park in Chicago, Illinois, organized by the online magazine Pitchfork. Starting in 2011, the festival announced a branch staged in Paris at Grande halle de la Villette. The festival, which is normally held over three days in July, focuses primarily on artists and bands from the alternative rock, hip hop, electronic and dance music genres, although it has also ranged into hardcore punk, experimental rock and jazz in its lineups. While it started as a showcase for just the "cutting edge", it later took on a broader depth and vision, keeping the cutting-edge focus but also including important artists and acts that have influenced newer performers and artists. A branch planned for Berlin at Tempodrom in 2020 was cancelled.

Jason W. Chung, better known as Nosaj Thing, is an American artist, record producer, and DJ based in Los Angeles, California. He has produced tracks for Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, Kid Cudi, Julianna Barwick, and is the founder of Timetable Records.

Kwes is a British music producer, composer and artist from London, England. Kwes is also currently signed to Warp as a solo artist and released his debut album, ilp, in October 2013. He has since gone on to produce music for the likes of Damon Albarn, Bobby Womack, Solange Knowles, Sampha, Loyle Carner, Black Coffee, Nubya Garcia, Mica Levi, Tirzah, Lucy Rose and numerous others. He also composed his debut feature length score for 2023 British rom-com film Rye Lane, directed by Raine Allen-Miller. It won a BIFA award in 2023 for Best Original Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kendrick Lamar</span> American rapper and songwriter (born 1987)

Kendrick Lamar Duckworth is an American rapper and songwriter. Regarded as one of the most influential hip hop artists of his generation, and one of the greatest rappers of all time, he is known for his technical artistry and complex songwriting. He was awarded the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music, becoming the first musician outside of the classical and jazz genres to be honored.

<i>Good Kid, M.A.A.D City</i> 2012 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

Good Kid, M.A.A.D City is the second studio album by the American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on October 22, 2012, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features guest appearances from Drake, Dr. Dre, Jay Rock, Anna Wise and MC Eiht. It is Lamar's first major label album, after his independently released first album Section.80 in 2011 and his signing to Aftermath and Interscope the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Top Dawg Entertainment</span> American record label

Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) is an American independent record label. Specializing in hip hop and R&B artists, TDE is based in Carson, California. The label was founded in 2004 by record producer Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, who is the chief executive officer. His son, Anthony "Moosa" Tiffith Jr., and Terrence "Punch" Henderson are the presidents of the label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sampha</span> English singer and musician

Sampha Lahai Sisay is a British singer, songwriter, musician and record producer from Morden, South London. Sampha has collaborated with Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Frank Ocean, SBTRKT, Jessie Ware, Travis Scott, Kanye West, Solange and others. Sampha has released two solo EPs: Sundanza (2010) and Dual (2013). Sampha's debut album, Process, was released on 3 February 2017 by Young and won the 2017 Mercury Prize. His second album, Lahai, was released on 20 October 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King Kunta</span> 2015 single by Kendrick Lamar

"King Kunta" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar, from his third album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). It was released as the album's third single on March 24, 2015. Lamar co-wrote the song with Thundercat, while Terrace Martin, Michael Kuhle, and Sounwave served as producers. The song features interpolations and references to lyrics written by Michael Jackson, James Brown, Fred Wesley, John Starks, Ahmad, Redfoo, and Johnny Burns, who are all credited as songwriters.

"Alright" is a song by American rapper Kendrick Lamar featured on the artist's third studio album, To Pimp a Butterfly (2015). The song expresses ideas of hope amid personal struggles and features uncredited vocals in its chorus from co-producer Pharrell Williams. "Alright" was released to radio stations as the album's fourth single on June 30, 2015. Many music publications considered it among the best songs and videos of the year. "Alright" received four nominations at the 58th Grammy Awards: Song of the Year, Best Music Video, Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song, winning the latter two. It was also nominated for a MTV Video Music Award for Video of the Year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Loyle Carner</span> English hip hop musician (born 1994)

Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, known professionally as Loyle Carner, is an English hip hop musician. After supporting various rappers during their tours, he released his debut album, Yesterday's Gone, in 2017, which garnered a nomination for the 2017 Mercury Prize. He released his second album, Not Waving, but Drowning, in April 2019, and his third, hugo, in October 2022. Carner has been nominated for three Brit Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Freedom (Beyoncé song)</span> 2016 single by Beyoncé featuring Kendrick Lamar

"Freedom" is a song by the American singer-songwriter Beyoncé featuring the American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It is the tenth track on her sixth studio album, Lemonade (2016), released through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. The song's music video is part of Beyoncé's 2016 film Lemonade, aired on HBO alongside the album's release. In the years since, the song has become an anthem for various social and political movements.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steve Lacy</span> American musician (born 1998)

Steve Thomas Lacy-Moya is an American musician, guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He gained recognition as the guitarist of the alternative R&B band the Internet, which he joined in 2015. His self-produced debut EP, Steve Lacy's Demo (2017), was met with critical praise and became a sleeper hit. Lacy then guest performed alongside Frank Ocean on Tyler, the Creator's 2017 single "911 / Mr. Lonely", which received double platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). That year, he also co-wrote songs for artists including Solange Knowles, and Kendrick Lamar on his song "Pride".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Really Doe (Danny Brown song)</span> 2016 single by Danny Brown featuring Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Earl Sweatshirt

"Really Doe" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Danny Brown, released as the third single from his fourth studio album, Atrocity Exhibition (2016). It was produced by Black Milk, and features additional verses from fellow American rappers Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul and Earl Sweatshirt, with the hook sung by Lamar. It was released on September 20, 2016, by Warp Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Heart Part 4</span> 2017 promotional single by Kendrick Lamar

"The Heart Part 4" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 23, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment. The track features uncredited vocals from American singer Khalid. The song contains samples from "Don't Tell a Lie about Me and I Won't Tell the Truth on You" by James Brown and "I Love You" by Faith Evans.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thundercat discography</span>

The discography of American musician Thundercat includes four studio albums, an extended play, and twelve singles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Misch</span> English musician and producer (born 1995)

Thomas Abraham Misch is an English musician and producer. He began releasing music on SoundCloud in 2012 and released his debut studio album Geography in 2018. In 2020, he released his second studio album What Kinda Music in collaboration with English jazz drummer Yussef Dayes, distributed through Blue Note Records and Caroline. The Album was nominated for the Best Album Ivor Novello Award in 2021. In 2023 he released his third studio album Happy Music, in "collaboration" with his alter-ego, Supershy.

Hykeem Jamaal Carter Jr., known professionally as Baby Keem, is an American rapper and record producer. Raised in Las Vegas, he gained recognition in the late 2010s with his contributions to Black Panther: The Album by his cousin Kendrick Lamar, as well as Redemption by Jay Rock, Crash Talk by Schoolboy Q, and The Lion King: The Gift by Beyoncé. As a lead artist, he first became known for his 2019 sleeper hit single "Orange Soda", which was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers</i> 2022 studio album by Kendrick Lamar

Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers is the fifth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar, released on May 13, 2022, by PGLang, Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE), Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records. The album serves as his first release under his creative company PGLang, and his final project with both TDE and Aftermath. It features narration by Whitney Alford and Eckhart Tolle, and guest appearances from Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Sampha, Taylour Paige, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Baby Keem, Kodak Black, Sam Dew, Tanna Leone, and Beth Gibbons of Portishead. Lamar, who executive produced the album under the pseudonym Oklama, reunited with frequent collaborators Sounwave, J. Lbs, DJ Dahi, and Bekon for the majority of the album's production.

<i>Hugo</i> (album) 2022 studio album by Loyle Carner

Hugo is the third studio album by English hip hop artist Loyle Carner. It was released via Virgin EMI Records on 28 October 2022. The album was shortlisted for the 2023 Mercury Prize.

Lawrence Lord, professionally known as The Purist, is a British hip hop record producer and DJ from Chichester, West Sussex. He has collaborated with various prominent American and British rappers including MF Doom, Westside Gunn, Danny Brown, Freddie Gibbs, CasIsDead, Loyle Carner and Sonnyjim.

References

  1. "Duval Timothy". Discogs. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  2. "Duval Timothy discography – RYM/Sonemic". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  3. 1 2 "There Is Nothing Duval Timothy Can't Do". Pitchfork. 2022-12-07. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  4. 1 2 "Duval Timothy". nataal.com. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  5. "Duval Timothy reissues his debut album, Brown Loop, with an alternate tracklist and bonus material · News ⟋ RA". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  6. "The Groundnut". Future Positive. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  7. Todd, Timothy Duval,Folayemi Brown,Jacob Fodio (2015-07-02). The Groundnut Cookbook.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Lewis, John (2017-12-14). "Duval Timothy: Sen Am review – immersive album of precision piano sounds". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  9. "Rosie Lowe / Duval Timothy: Son". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-07-01.
  10. "Duval Timothy: Help". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  11. 1 2 "Duval Timothy: Meeting With a Judas Tree". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  12. "Kendrick Lamar collaborator Duval Timothy announces new album Meeting With a Judas Tree". The FADER. Retrieved 2023-06-14.