Brian Bamanya, known professionally as Afrorack, is a Ugandan multidisciplinary artist, engineer, and musician who has pioneered Africa’s first DIY modular synthesizer. Driven by a passion for electronics and a desire to make modular synthesis accessible in Uganda, Bamanya constructed his own synthesizer using locally sourced components and self-taught engineering skills. This innovative instrument, also named “The Afrorack,” serves as both his artistic moniker and a symbol of his commitment to blending technology with African musical traditions. He has appeared at several international festivals which include Sonar, Rewire, Elevate, Dakar Art Biennale and CTM among others.
In May 2022, Afrorack released his self-titled debut album, The Afrorack, through the Ugandan label Hakuna Kulala. The album showcases his unique approach to electronic music, merging polyrhythmic structures inherent in African music with elements of acid, techno, and ambient sounds. Tracks like “African Drum Machine” exemplify his use of Euclidean rhythm sequencing to create complex, algorithmic patterns that echo traditional East African rhythms. The album was received with popular acclaim making it to several music writers’ best albums of 2022 including
The Wire Magazine top 50 albums of 2022, The Quietus best of 2022 and He has also been featured on the BBC world service radio. Afrorack’s innovative work continues to inspire a new generation of musicians and technologists, bridging the gap between traditional African music and contemporary electronic soundscapes.
Brian Bamanya, known professionally as Afrorack, is a Ugandan multidisciplinary artist, engineer, and musician who has pioneered Africa’s first DIY modular synthesizer. Driven by a passion for electronics and a desire to make modular synthesis accessible in Uganda, Bamanya constructed his own synthesizer using locally sourced components and self-taught engineering skills. This innovative instrument, also named “The Afrorack,” serves as both his artistic moniker and a symbol of his commitment to blending technology with African musical traditions. He has appeared at several international festivals which include Sonar, Rewire, Elevate, Dakar Art Biennale and CTM among others.
In May 2022, Afrorack released his self-titled debut album, The Afrorack, through the Ugandan label Hakuna Kulala. The album showcases his unique approach to electronic music, merging polyrhythmic structures inherent in African music with elements of acid, techno, and ambient sounds. Tracks like “African Drum Machine” exemplify his use of Euclidean rhythm sequencing to create complex, algorithmic patterns that echo traditional East African rhythms. The album was received with popular acclaim making it to several music writers’ best albums of 2022 including
The Wire Magazine top 50 albums of 2022, The Quietus best of 2022 and He has also been featured on the BBC world service radio. Afrorack’s innovative work continues to inspire a new generation of musicians and technologists, bridging the gap between traditional African music and contemporary electronic soundscapes.