Trenton & Free Radical make the
sound of 21st Century London Town,
drawing on reggae, hip-hop, electro
and global influences to create
something uniquely melodic and hip-
shakingly danceable. Fronted by
talented South African vocalist
Trenton Birch, this creative quartet
of musicians from assorted places
and spaces mainly on Africa send out
a strong political message of unity
and an equally strong desire to nice
up the party. Originally from Johannesburg, Trenton is a contemporary nomad soul, a global
citizen who spent his early life in Kenya, Nigeria and the Middle East. Embracing political activism,
he was involved in the anti-apartheid movement from a young age, putting himself on the line and
joining the (then banned) African National Congress. At the same time he was getting deep into
music, forming electro rockers Anti-Gravity (Sony), who went on to have chart success in SA, as
well as opening for both the Prodigy and Faithless. Moving to London, Trenton re-hooked up with
Faithless’ Maxi Jazz (who appears on the full length LP due for release in October as a featured
guest on the track 'Tomorrow's Day') and has spent the last 10 years honing his craft and
educating himself on the UK music industry. He’s at the forefront of promoting cutting-edge Afro-
centric electro music via one of the world’s largest African Hip Hop sites www.afrolution.com But
it’s with Trenton and Free Radical that he’s found the ultimate expression for his righteous political
sensibilities and inclusive musical inclinations. The band reflect the diversity of the town they call
home, with Trenton joined by Ugandan bass man Kaz (who’s played with P-Funk and Pee Wee Ellis
amongst many others), Zimbabwean percussionist (kit and calabash) don Sam (a man who
recently had to escape Mugabe’s regime because of his part in political bands) and guitarist Marco,
who hails from Ibiza who has mixed it up with likes Roots Manuva and Killa Kella in the past.
Together they’ve developed their own distinctive blend of easy-rolling b-lines, tight rhythms and
timeless song-craft, all topped off with Trenton’s impassioned vocals and livewire charisma. With a
repertoire of tunes that moves from laid back warmth to fired up anger, Trenton and Free Radical
are currently rocking some of London’s cooler venues with their soul stirring, celebratory live sets
and have just recorded their debut album with producers Dean James Barratt (Nitin Sawhney, Get
Cape Wear Cape Fly) and Craigie Dodds writer and
producer (Sugarbabes, Kano, One Eskimo) with the
album being mixed by Grippa (Faithless, Dido). Fans of
Jamaican riddims, African beats, soul, rap and rock will
all find something to fire them up in the mix, this is a
band who blend a variety of ingredients into
something uniquely their own. This next single
‘Barefoot Hope’ is released in Germany and South
Africa with live shows in both countries in May and
June. It feels like big things are on their way for
Trenton and Free Radical, catch them now while the
buzz is still new.