For many of us in the creative industries, our practice allows us to occupy spaces we may never have encountered otherwise. From new communities and bustling venues to departure gates and foreign lands, the life of an artist is one of a constantly evolving shapeshifter, adapting like a puzzle piece to fit into spaces that build towards the bigger picture. In the case of Goya Gumbani, he’s been busy making his mark across the globe this year. He dropped his EP ‘When the Past Bloomed’ in June, featuring Lex Amor, John Glacier, and Pink Siifu, and exploring his intimate connections to London, New York, and Guyana. He followed this with a tour, stopping in Amsterdam, Paris, Copenhagen, and Marrakech, to name a few. He also headlined the Brick Lane Jazz Festival and has enjoyed collaborations in the fashion space with both Bianca Saunders and Nicholas Daley. And now he rounds off the year by putting out a video for the EP track, ‘Till Then’. The allure of it all is his raw and honest storytelling. He delves into personal struggles and life lessons to deliver fearless messages while effortlessly fusing elements of hip hop, R&B and jazz to create his soulful sound.

I get to Gumbani’s flat in South London just before midday; he’s slightly sleepy and still getting ready. Coffee is served, candles are lit, incense is burning and Alice Coltrane's LP ‘Reflection on Creation and Space’ is on rotation. After a while, he re-emerges impeccably dressed. With heavy Caribbean and New York style influences and his trademark hats, it's never a dull day when Gumbani decides to step out. We talk a little bit about our reflections for 2023 and the power of an adidas two-piece before exploring the ways Gumbani holds space.

IC: What space have you enjoyed taking up recently?

G: The unknown. It feels like a new chapter in my life. I'm taking a leap of faith more, so that is a lot of unfamiliar territory and I'm okay with that. Mentally and physically, with my career, my work, my passion, I feel like I don't have as many fears as I did before, which were preventing me from fully being immersed in the present.

IC: When was that turning point for you?

G: It feels recent. There’s been a little bit of change in in my personal life, in what’s going on in the world and things being a little bit more in your face again. And I've been in a lot of scenarios and countries I've never been in before this year. Look backing, there were times I was really worried or scared when I didn’t need to be. So now I'm just enjoying being in unfamiliar territory in the outside world and within myself.

IC: What is one of those discoveries you’ve had about yourself?

G: I get hooked on things. I think this is the way that something has to be done, and then I’m like, nah, there’s actually 10 different streets that I could walk down that will lead me to the block I’m trying to get to. It doesn’t have to be regimented; it can just be what you know in the moment.

IC: Where has music taken you to recently that you enjoyed?

G: Honestly, every single city was amazing for their own reasons. But if I had to pick one, I’d say Paris. The people are chill so I could just walk around by myself or with people; it doesn't really matter. I’ve got a few studios over there, and I've got places to stay, so it feels like I can easily adjust to life in Paris. My favourite clothing store is there too – Brut Archive, they’re lit. There’s also some really nice record stores and I finally found good food. I don't know, it just felt really close to home.

IC: What part of your space feels safest to you?

G: In the studio. I spend most of my time there just taking in music. I’ve got two record players behind me, so I sit and listen to records. Or I have my music set up in front of me, and I make my own. I’m either in there or in the kitchen.

IC: How do you check in with yourself?

G: I put on a song – a long one, preferably on a record. I do 35 pushups, sit on my chair, roll up, and for about 45 minutes I just listen to a song. Letting the mind flow. I might write; I might try and work on my memory, even just look back on exciting things that happened that week. As long as I’m in my studio, I’m good.

IC: What kind of space does music create for you?

G: Peace of mind. Truth, honesty, happiness, positivity.

IC: What is a space that you long for?

G: My own. To have my own space. It would be a musical spaceship. I have my console, my laptop, my vinyls, my vinyl player, my equipment, and my keyboard. I'd maybe just need some more equipment. RIP Amp Fiddler (Joseph Anthony "Amp" Fiddler); he’s a musician who had his own musical spaceship. He opened it up in Detroit and taught people like J.Dilla; the first MPC he ever used was Amp Fiddler’s. He’s just historic; he’s done songs with Erykah Badu, D'Angelo, anyone you can think of from that time; he worked with them. He created his own musical den – a place you walk into and you feel inspiration.

IC: What are some things that Goya has to have in his space?

G: Organisation, cleanliness, and then, in terms of things, probably just speakers, a mic, and some weed. Oh, and a window. I need natural light; that’s a necessity.

IC: What are you getting more curious about?

G: Black history. Truthful Black history. I’ve been looking into that my whole adult existence but I feel like I’m always trying to dive into it. Discovery itself.

IC: Can you write a handwritten note?