Posted by Baltimore-based artist Dawuna (real name Ian Mugerwa) has officially unveiled his latest project, African Family Laptop Musick. This release arrives alongside the announcement of his signing to True Panther Records, marking a significant milestone in the career of an artist who has quietly established himself as a formidable force in the avant-garde soul landscape.
While the mixtape is not yet available on major digital streaming platforms, it is currently accessible for purchase via Bandcamp and Boomkat. This new collection follows the critical success of his 2021 debut, Glass Lit Dream, and his shimmering 2024 sophomore album, Naya.
The creative process behind African Family Laptop Musick was deeply shaped by personal hardship. Dawuna revealed that the project was conceived while he was recovering from a traumatic head injury, an experience that led to a diagnosis of later amnesia. This state of being, characterized by fragmented memories and a sense of dissonance, permeates the record, resulting in a hypnagogic, low-fidelity soundscape.
Reflecting on the project’s origins, Dawuna shared: “I was healing from a traumatic head injury that gave me a later amnesia diagnosis, so I don’t remember more than a couple small flashes of memory from the recording/construction of this project. I know I wanted to make a low-fidelity concept piece about my family life at the time, compositionally simple, but necessarily abstracted. This is the last lil offering from a very personal side of myself before I give y’all something big. Enjoy.”
Since his emergence, Dawuna has cultivated a dedicated following through his unique approach to soul music. His reputation has been further bolstered by compelling live performances at prestigious venues and festivals globally, including London’s Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) and Cafe OTO, as well as Utrecht’s Le Guess Who? and Manchester’s The White Hotel. With this new mixtape serving as a bridge to his next chapter, fans can expect more music from the artist later this summer.