When a lush female voice slides in on ‘July 4th’, the opener to SuperJazzClub’s debut EP, ‘For All the Good Times’, her despondent tone affirms the vulnerability that lies ahead. “Hey guys, sorry that I have not been answering your calls,” she starts. “It’s just that I don’t really know who I am anymore, I don’t know where I am going, what I am doing or if any of these even matters…”

This form of open-hearted expression without fear of being judged is what this nine-person Ghana-based collective of musicians, producers and filmmakers is here for. They are kindred spirits who have come together to share and create. “We make music and indulge in other arts such as videos, fashion and photography. We are basically open to making art,” explains Seyyoh, who first formed SuperJazzClub in 2018 alongside Ansah, BiQo, Tano Jackson, Øbed, Joey Turks, Anthony, Oliver and Abena. The following year they put out their first tracks, the euphoric, synth-heavy ‘A Couple Black Kids’ and the swooning psychedelic melodies of ‘Bordeaux’, which both acted as tasters of their genre-hopping sound. “We derive inspiration from across the world; it might be jazz, hip hop, highlife, afrobeats. It’s all SuperJazzClub,” Øbed explains.

‘For All the Good Times’ followed in 2021, which expanded upon their sonic hegemony and experimental spirit. The eight-track release has the feel of a liberation story, where the listeners and protagonist – represented through voice clips from a Ghanaian living abroad who is experiencing existential problems – find a world that accepts them for who they are while also being sympathetic to their conflicting emotions and crises. “SuperJazzClub exists as a safe space for expression and for the things that we love, because out here, it's very hard for you to find that group of people who share a common sense of identity in sounds, in fashion, and in culture as a whole,” Øbed adds.

Soon after its release, the group announced partnerships with Tumblr for a documentary about their creative process and with Reebok and Margiela to model a sneaker collaboration between both fashion houses, thus solidifying SuperJazzClub’s emerging cross-cultural appeal and unique sense of style. “We have a merch line called La Tete and see our collaborations taking on many different forms,” says Joey, who is also an astute sneakerhead. “We are the ones who determine or steer the direction we want to go. We can put out an afro-pop record today, and wake up tomorrow and do something absolutely different,” Øbed chips in.

Fast-building their burgeoning discography, SuperJazzClub have continued to drop a series of well-received songs. ‘Cameras’ explores the allure of being a celebrity, ‘Jungle’ narrates the realities of life in Accra and ‘Mad’ has become a bossa nova anthem. “’Mad’ is a story of community. You all get each other, and you understand what goes on, but to anyone looking from the outside in, they might think you're a little bit crazy,” Tano says. Meanwhile ‘Back to Kids’, exudes an air of nostalgia and tells a coming-of-age story and their new drop, ‘3 In the Morning’ sees the collective collaborate with like-minded artists, 95antny and Kikelomo.

On the live circuit, SuperJazzClub have enjoyed a series of stellar performances in Accra and Paris, cementing the far-reaching embrace of their music despite the lack of mainstream support within their home country. They follow in the footsteps of other collectives who have gone against the grain of Ghana’s entertainment industry. In the mid-2010s, the now-defunct La Meme Gang, with their rebellious outlook and experimental music, championed a wave of youthful exuberance. More recently, Asakaa gained global recognition and earned co-signs from Virgil Abloh and Stormzy for their brazen and localised approach to drill.

And now, it’s SuperJazzClub who lead the charge for non-conformity. “We’re excited to be at the forefront of this revolution and if we’re able to spark a renaissance in our time period, that’s one of the things we would hold in high esteem,” Øbed says matter-of-factly, to which Joey adds: “Sometimes it is fun, sometimes it is hard work, it’s not foolproof. But there’s a common goal, so that helps us.”

Now, with the stage set for a break-out year in 2023, SuperJazzClub remain grounded in their goal to build a community for mavericks bridging skateboarding, fashion, film and music and remaining a voice of hope for the youth. “We are trying to show children, or any creative, that they can make the art they love to make and still make a living out of it,” Øbed asserts, before Tano chimes in: “I don’t want to sound poetic but it’s simple. If you’ve got a dream, please go for it. Find a path and don’t be conflicted because you’re not doing what other people are doing. I feel like we are trying to leave a mark in the way that we know how to, and at the same time do what we feel, without pressure.”

‘3 inthe Morning’ by SuperJazzClub is out now. Discover it here.

This story was created in collaboration with Metaclay.