From the darkness of the New York underground comes the uber presence that is Zebra Katz.  Releasing his debut single on Diplo’s Mad Decent imprint Jeffrrees, the Brooklyn rapper has caused a thunderstorm with the release of the hypnotically sinister IMA READ featuring bad girl Njena Reddd Foxx.

As well as tearing up the bass of the most arcane clubs, IMA READ made its debut overground during Paris Fashion Week earlier this year when it was the soundtrack to the Rick Owens Autumn / Winter ‘12 fashion show.  For an entire twelve minutes IMA READ was the only backdrop to a catwalk full of models in masks alight with a strip of flames, firmly branding its mark on the fashion glitterati.  With fans including Vogue Japan Editor Anna Dello Russoand W Magazine’s Edward Enninful claiming he would ‘sing it to strangers’ IMA READ soon became blogged about as the Song of Paris Fashion Week. 

Zebra Katz AKA Ojay Morgan self-released a lo-fi mixtape earlier this year ‘Champagne’ which is a further insight into the uncomfortable world of his alter ego.  After Diplo came calling he went on to tour supporting Lana Del Reyand will be joining Azaelia Banks for her UK dates later this year.  Earlier this summer Zebra Katz made a trip to London and tore up the basement of Notting Hill’s XOYO with an unforgettable performance described as‘compulsive’ by the NME.

IMA READ will be released on 16th September and features remixes from Tricky, Azaelia Banks, Gangsta Boo, Mao, Ira G, Cauzeone, Moroka, I Am A Camera , Ripley, Bais Haus, Nikko and Norrit. 

IMA READ (FT NJENA REDDD FOXXX) by ZEBRA KATZ

WATCH: The haunting video for IMA READ