Known for melding hip-hop with electro-funk and R&B, Lophiile (Tyler Acord) has made a name for himself globally as a go-to producer for the new generation of breaking artists (Goldlink, H.E.R., Ray Blk), as well as a member of London-based trio Radiant Children, who released their debut EP TRYIN’ in 2018, described by Clash Magazine as “the breath of fresh air that we need” and championed by BBC Radio 1xtra presenter Jamz Supernova.

Now, he's showing fans a fuller portrait of his diverse musical vision with a debut EP on Blue Note Records, due to be released on 21st February. To Forgive is a forward-thinking portrait of contemporary jazz, opening the door to the next stage of Lophiile’s career as a fully realised artist.

The 5-track EP enlists vocal contributions from Jamaican-American artist Jesse Boykins III, UK-based artist Sophie Faith, and American R&B singer NSTASIA, and delves deeper into the spirit of Lophiile as an artist, offering an insight into Acord’s vision of seamlessly blending his early childhood influences in motown and soul and training in jazz with his love of hip-hop, beats and electronic production.  

To Forgive will also offer a distinct tangible experience with each song in the form of accompanying visual art pieces. Today’s single release “You’ve Changed” offers a mesmerising journey of jazz motifs, hip-hop rhythms, chopped-up vocal samples and soulful piano: a perfect introduction to his musical vision in which instrumentation and flow are at the forefront of his sound. "Lophiile represents the search for my sound, my independence," he says. "It's who I am as an artist."

Track Listing

1. 1.       You’ve Changed
2. 2.       One Hand ft. Sophie Faith
3. 3.       Late Ass
4. 4.       You’re Gonna Need It ft. Jesse Boykins III
5. 5.       My Side ft. NSTASIA

Born into a deeply musical family - his mother was a gospel singer and his father was a trumpet player and sound engineer – Tyler Acord had early introductions to motown and soul, from classics like Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye to contemporary artists like Jill Scott and India Arie. He fell in love with hip-hop as a teenager, studied jazz in college, and spent three years touring with his twin brother's hardcore band, Issues, as their drummer/keyboardist and traveling DJ, but his dream was always to make his own music. In 2015, he returned to Los Angeles and wrote and produced for some of indie and electronic music's most promising artists: GoldLink, H.E.R., Gallant, Ray Blk, Moss Kena, Nick Grant, Freddie Gibbs, Skrillex and Zedd.

It was through these sessions that he met Marco Bernardis and Fabienne Holloway, two London musicians who shared his vision for jazz as the ultimate musical hybrid. Together, they formed Radiant Children, a contemporary R&B band that uses slick electronics, imaginative samples, and live instrumentation to breath new life into funk and soul.

In 2018, Acord relocated to London full-time. It was there that he put the finishing touches on To Forgive, a thorough, thoughtful commentary on the duality of forgiveness: rage and release, bitterness and love, darkness and light.