ALPHA CENTAURI

After five years of work, six singles and a growing reputation as one of the West Coast’s exciting new voices, ALPHA CENTAURI releases his debut album, The Future Right Now, through Rogue Planet. Songs including “Never Be,” “Grow” and “We Rise” introduced his sound; this 10-track album brings it together. Recorded live with his eight-piece band, it blends hip-hop, funk, Afrobeat and jazz.

 ALPHA’s path to music was unconventional. He qualified as a lawyer in Zimbabwe before leaving the profession to focus on music. At 13, he breakdanced with Blade Squad at pageants and basketball halftime shows. Told people would not take a breakdancing lawyer seriously, he found a new direction. “I took what I understood from dancing, rhythm and movement, and turned it into rap,” he says. His English literature background also shaped his writing.

 His name came during a moment of reflection. Searching the night sky for answers, ALPHA saw his reflection in a window and realized the answer was within him. He took his name from Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to our own, as a reminder to trust his own light.

 The Future Right Now explores self-belief, motivation and making the most of the present. “Everything I do today... has brought me here, because my future was always in the present,” ALPHA says. Live favourite “We Rise” was written while he finished law school in 2014, while “Aria’s Lullaby,” written for his daughter before she was born, closes the album. “Expect Us” supports activist Evan Mawarire’s movement against corruption and injustice in Zimbabwe, while “Never Be” showcases sharp literary and mythological references.

 The album was produced by Wes Smith and mixed by Justin Hicks, with contributions from more than 20 guest musicians. Drummer Richard Brown brings energy to every show; guitarist Cuyler Biller draws on Zimbabwean Sungura music; and keyboardists Alli Bean and Max Zipursky create a full, lively sound.

 ALPHA has shared bills with Method Man & Redman, Ja Rule, Chali 2na and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5, The OBGMs, Moka Only and Tanika Charles. He has played Khatsalano Street Party, the Calgary Stampede and Victoria’s official Canada Day celebration, and was scheduled to perform with Public Enemy and G-Eazy at True Rhythm Festival before regional wildfires postponed it.

 He is also developing pop project Star Maps, led by upcoming single “Juliet,” mixed in Los Angeles by Matt Bishop, whose credits include U2, The Killers, Modest Mouse and Taylor Swift; and R&B project The Golden Hour Collective. Both lead toward a second full-length album planned for 2027. Vinyl and CD editions of The Future Right Now are expected early next year, alongside a cross-Canada tour and possible UK and European dates.

 “I want people to hear this and see themselves inside the music,” ALPHA says. The Future Right Now is a personal, energetic record from an artist building something on his own terms.