Nigerian-American artist, DJ, producer, and saxophonist Eli Fola steps into a new chapter with the release of his two-track ‘Back To The Basics’ EP, landing via HE.SHE.THEY. Records.

Fresh from a run of global summer festival dates, including Belgium’s Voodoo Village, DGTL India, and Sunburn Goa, and with support from heavyweights Black Coffee, Richie Hawtin, Sasha, and Claptone, Eli Fola continues to expand his sonic presence. Known for fusing AfroHouse, techno, jazz, and Yoruba spirituality into a sound he’s coined Yoruba Tech Soul, Fola has earned a reputation for immersive live sets that move beyond performance and into multi-sensory experiences that blur the line between club and ritual.

‘Back To The Basics’ opens with its title track, co-produced with rising Berlin-based South African DJ and producer Theodor Luv. The collaboration was sparked by a serendipitous meeting at Berlin’s iconic Berghain, where Desiree was opening for Honey Dijon. The chance encounter grew into a creative partnership, taking them into the studio and bringing ‘Back To The Basics’ to life, setting the tone for the EP . For Theodor, this release is more than music, it’s a reflection of the values that define him: unity, expression and love on and off the dancefloor.

Theodor Luv adds: “I made the move from South Africa to Berlin in 2021 to pursue music, so moments like this, meeting Eli In a club where I didn’t know anyone but trusting in the music, are so beautiful. The drums on the track are influenced by the house-infused swing I grew up hearing on South African radio, blended with touches of electronic grit and jazz. I then tapped into my analog hardware, less was more after hearing Eli in the background free flowing with his incredible vocals”.

The track is a hypnotic, drum-driven statement of intent, where intricate percussion collides with driving keys, rolling techno rhythms and warm sax textures. Eli Fola’s commanding yet soulful vocal mantra (“Everybody come dey look oo…”) reclaims space and self-identity on the dancefloor, delivering a sound both personal and universal – an anthem of belonging and resilience with echoes of classic house energy and the raw intimacy of underground queer spaces.

The EP’s visual language and lyrics reflect Fola’s lived experience as a Nigerian immigrant in New York, with verses delivered in Nigerian Pidgin English, a direct nod to his heritage and self-definition.

Eli Fola adds: “Everybody come dey look oo, dem dey wonder say na who be this? I come tell them who I be. This means: I’m just a human who can be misunderstood, but don’t worry about me. It also conveys the message, Respect me the way you want to be respected… At the end of the day, I’m just human”.

‘Humanity’ shifts into more expansive emotional territory. Opening with pulsing low-end and meditative pads, it builds into a graceful blend of tribal drums, lush chords, and stirring melodic motifs. It’s a call to empathy and connection, underscoring the spirit that drives Fola’s work and the communities he builds. Where ‘Back To The Basics’ feels like a reclaiming of voice and space, ‘Humanity’ offers a moment of reflection, grounding the EP in a message of shared vulnerability and strength. Two club-ready edits follow, and a driving remix of ‘Back To The Basics’ by Colombian producer Sinego is due on the 5th December.

For Fola, ‘Back To The Basics’ also marks a symbolic homecoming and creative alignment with a label that shares his values and vision.

He shares: “As a Black immigrant artist in the electronic music space, navigating the industry can be challenging. HE.SHE.THEY. to me is a platform that truly stands for something, advocating for equality for all, regardless of race or sexual orientation… It is one of the few labels in the electronic music world that genuinely amplifies the voices of the underrepresented in the scene, and it is an honor for me to be releasing on the label”.

With ‘Back To The Basics’, Eli Fola transforms lived experience into a universal club language, heartfelt, deeply human, and rooted in connection. It’s music for both body and spirit, reclaiming the dancefloor as a space of joy and belonging, and the perfect addition to HE.SHE.THEY.’s boundary-pushing catalogue.

You can now listen to the full premiere of ‘Humanity’ exclusively on When We Dip Radio. Enjoy!

Release Date: November 14th, 2025. Buy Here

Eli Fola: Instagram / SoundCloud
HE.SHE.THEY: Instagram / SoundCloud