Waterfall: J. Eka’s Genre-Bending Masterpiece – A Fusion of Rap, R&B, and South London Soul

South East London’s own J. Eka is back with a brand new visual for Waterfall—a dreamy, late-night link-up that feels like stepping into a girls’ night out, soundtracked by flirtation, finesse, and pure fun.

The track features rising alt-R&B star KAIROS*, floating in with a velvet-smooth hook, while the beat comes courtesy of South London’s 3AM—the producer-engineer hybrid who’s worked with everyone from Bellah to Stylo G.

The video kicks off with a voice cameo from Rellik, host of the iconic R&B show on Reprezent Radio—a subtle nod to the underground scenes and sonic spaces that shaped this sound. This one’s rooted in community, soaked in South London soul.

Musically, it’s a perfect balance—rap meets R&B in a soft collision of swagger and sentiment. J. Eka glides through verses with clever wordplay and confident calm, while KAIROS* brings that smoky, late-night energy reminiscent of Don Toliver or early PND.

With Waterfall, J. Eka continues his glow-up—building on the momentum of past drops like Talk Less and Does He Know? This one leans deeper into his R&B bag: sensual, polished, and just a lil bit cheeky.

J. Eka is a boundary-pushing artist out of South East London, blending introspective bars with a sharp eye for style and storytelling. Since stepping onto the scene in 2012, he’s carved a lane all his own—where rap meets runway, and references run deep.

From BBC 1Xtra to Vogue, Wonderland to Flanelle, his work’s been championed across both music and fashion circles. And when he’s not behind the mic, you’ll likely spot him front row—side-by-side with creative partner and stylist Lala Roswess—serving looks as effortlessly as he serves lyrics.

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We caught up with J. Eka to ask him a few questions on his latest release.

What brought about this collaboration between yourself, KAIROS* and 3AM and what was it like working with them both?

I first met KAIROS* at an event — he performed and I knew straight away I wanted to work with him. We connected and set up a session with 3AM, who’s a crazy talented producer. At first, we were building from scratch but nothing was clicking. Then 3AM pulled up an older beat — it was slow, but Lala Roswess, who was with us, suggested we speed it up. The second we did, it just clicked.

KAIROS* laid down the melodies, no words yet, but the vibe was there. I wrote my verses on the spot, and we came back later to finish it off. The chemistry between all of us was effortless — everything just flowed. That’s how Waterfall came to life.

This song is a blend of both R&B and Hip Hop, why is genre bending something that you are fascinated with?

Music was never meant to be boxed in — it’s meant to be felt.

Genre is just a label, but feeling is universal. Blending genres is a way of honouring music itself. It pushes boundaries, sparks new ideas, and invites people to hear something unexpected. Especially in an industry where imitation is so common, genre-bending is a way to stay creative and challenge the norm.

Are there any other genres of music you would like to merge with your sound in the future?

Definitely classical — and elements of gospel too. Those chords hit different, they move something in your soul. It’s a higher frequency, a spiritual one. I’d love to tap into that and blend it with my sound in a way that feels true to me. It’s about creating something fresh, but rooted in feeling.

There is a strong emphasis on lyricism in your verses on this song, do you feel that lyricism is an important aspect of rap and if so, was this inspired by anyone or anything?

It’s essential, man — that’s what makes the craft an art form to me. Lyricism is storytelling. Rap is poetry, but it can also be a snapshot of real life — an insight into your point of view, your reality. That’s the power of it. Even when it leans melodic, I rate the way artists blend the two. I’ve done it myself, and I’ve always respected the ones who can really say something while keeping it sonically new.

The video is based in London, and features 3 beautiful black women. Was it important for you to reflect both your love for South London and black women in this video?

Definitely. I wouldn’t be here without Black women — full stop. And this song wouldn’t exist without one either — Lala Roswess co-wrote it with me. We wanted the video to feel like a real London night out — spontaneous and full of energy. Whether it’s vibing at events or in the car, it’s that feeling of being with your people that makes any night unforgettable. Showing love to Black women and to London was always the heart of it.

Do you have any dream collaborations? 

Gotta be Kendrick Lamar — I’ve always been drawn to lyricists and layered storytelling, and he’s a master of both. UK-wise, I’d say Chip. The guy never runs out of bars, and he makes it feel playful and effortless. On production, it’s gotta be Kanye or Pharrell — they both know how to build worlds with sound.

What are your ambitions/plans for the next 12 months?

I’m working on a project right now — something that feels like a proper artistic statement. I want to give people a body of work they can really sit with and connect to. I’m also planning a few live shows, so I can bring the energy of the music to real spaces and connect with people face to face.