The Soul in Jordan Mackampa’s New Single, “What Am I”

Hailing all the way from London, Jordan Mackampa gathers the sounds and stories from the cities he has lived in over the years to create heart-wrenching soul music. He pulls inspiration from famous singers like Marvin Gaye, Bill Withers, and Curtis Mayfield, as well as his Congolese roots. Mackampa cultivates the perfect blend of wistfulness and sorrow. His rich vocals and expert writing enhance catchy melodies that craft his tracks together.

True to the title of the new single, “What Am I” delves deep into Mackampa’s reflection of his true self as he questions his course of action and who he is deep down. Mackampa says, “I wrote this song in the mindset of how I need to do more but don’t know how because I am only one man, trying his best to make change within the means available.” As the song develops, more instruments and voices layer on, with orchestral notes swelling. The question he poses is rhetorical and meditative, never achieving an answer.

It takes great skill to combine grounding and soothing tunes with simultaneously uplifting and bitter lyrics. Released in 2016 from Mackampa’s EP Physics, “What Could Have Been” is bathed in this gentle combination. Drum beats set the underlying tone as the pace amps up and slows down, ebbing and flowing with the themes in the lyrics. The narrative, while noting the sad times Mackampa has gone through, is positive, showing the growth that stems from fleeting moments.

Mackampa’s voice has a wide range of octaves. While the majority of his songs tend to sway in a normal to high range, “Midnight,” also from Physics, showcases his deeper side. The guitar in the background becomes more prominent and faster as the song progresses, a track which details a couple in the midst of a cold and dark environment. Despite the crossroads and obstacles, they are moving closer with a chillingly apt soundtrack.

This fall, Jordan Mackampa is touring North America and will support British indie rock band Amber Run. His two singles follow the release of three consecutive EPs, all of which have received critical acclaim from NME, Line of Best Fit, Indie Shuffle, and Wonderland, among others. Mackampa has amassed over fifty million Spotify streams to date.

Be sure to check out his upcoming tour, which begins in October and stretches across the United States and Europe.

Tour Dates

10.25 Dallas, TX | Trees

10.26 Austin, TX | Parish

10.27 Houston, TX | White Oak Music Hall

10.29 Atlanta, GA | Masquerade

10.31 Washington, DC | The Black Cat

11.01 Philadelphia, PA | The Foundry at The Fillmore

11.02 Brooklyn, NY | Warsaw

11.05 Toronto, ON | Opera House

11.06 Cleveland, ON | Beach and Ballroom

11.07 Chicago, IL | Lincoln Hall