Episode 9: Real Rap (w/ ZekeUltra)

2025-05-12

In a conversation recorded after Valentine’s Day, ZekeUltra joins Rough Drafts for a conversation about music, political formation, and intellectual trajectories. Zeke is a musician based in Dover, Delaware. A friend of Luke’s, the two reminisce on how they met and shows performed together over the years. During the conversation Zeke reflects on his perseverance in his music journey. He talks about the influence of SoundCloud, “abstract rap” -think Earl Sweatshirt— early Chicago drill (Chief Keef’s Sosa) as well as figures such...

In a conversation recorded after Valentine’s Day, ZekeUltra joins Rough Drafts for a conversation about music, political formation, and intellectual trajectories.

Zeke is a musician based in Dover, Delaware. A friend of Luke’s, the two reminisce on how they met and shows performed together over the years. During the conversation Zeke reflects on his perseverance in his music journey. He talks about the influence of SoundCloud, “abstract rap” -think Earl Sweatshirt— early Chicago drill (Chief Keef’s Sosa) as well as figures such as Fela Kuti on his music. Rastafarianism and Pan-Africanism also informs the music Zeke creates.

His new album, Babel Tower (prod. with Shengu) dropped May 1 and is now available on all platforms. It gets a hearty recommendation from the hosts of Rough Drafts - tune in!

Introduction Song

“Good Company”

https://open.spotify.com/track/3txKs9CQ2YACyKIt3WXXPw?si=luKNr_NVQ9yQpJdng-k_ow

Credit song

“6 Speed”

https://open.spotify.com/track/019Xq9arImGSZDmgf5Hzc7?si=23W1co_NRqGbEC0qZ8PPHA

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