TroyBoi Delves Into Ancestral Depths on Trap-Forward EP, “Rootz”

Taking its name literally, TroyBoi’s new “Rootz” EP is a deeply personal fusion of South Asian sound and seismic bass.

TroyBoi grounds his global bass music influences in the soil of his past on his new EP, Rootz,

Out today via Ultra Records, the five-track offering sees the London-born producer fusing his trap-forward sensibilities with the spirit of his Indian heritage. Incorporating a myriad of sounds native to the region, the EP unfurls almost like a personal excavation as TroyBoi peels back layers of rhythm and lineage.

Rather than simply showcasing his versatility as a producer, Rootz is infused with TroyBoi’s lived experience. It’s a tether between generations, tracing a through line from his mother’s record player to the worldwide festival mainstages he regularly graces.

Rootz opens with “Masala,” a high-energy blend of Punjabi influence and TroyBoi’s signature trap stylings, where Amrit Maan’s vocals ride atop tumbi riffs and chest-rattling bass. Similarly, on “Okay,” he joins forces with Bhangra legend Jazzy B to produce bright melodic flourishes reminiscent of the shehnai, creating an instantaneous sense of regional identity.

Perhaps the project’s most notable moment arrives with the EP’s closing track, “Kabhi,” a previously released single which samples the late Bollywood playback artist Lata Mangeshkar. With its release TroyBoi became the first artist to sample Mangeshkar with official clearance, and he made the most of the opportunity in creating a cinematic tribute that honors one of the most important artistic contributors to Bollywood culture.

You can listen to Rootz below and find the new EP on streaming services here.