SBTRKT

SBTRKT is the recording name of London musician, songwriter and producer Aaron Jerome Foulds. The name, a disemvowelment of “subtract,” grew from his early preference for anonymity: Jerome has said he wanted the music to stand apart from his public identity, rather than relying on personal promotion. He previously performed wearing masks designed by the anonymous artist A Hidden Place, drawing on ceremonial mask traditions from South America and South Asia and on natural forms.

Jerome’s work moves through electronic music, UK garage, post-dubstep and alternative dance, with a catalogue that includes singles, EPs and four albums. His records have been playlisted by BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 6 Music. He has also built a substantial remix practice, reworking material by M.I.A., Radiohead, Modeselektor, Basement Jaxx, Mark Ronson and Underworld.

Sampha has been a frequent live collaborator. Between 2010 and 2012, SBTRKT’s performances paired Jerome’s synthesisers, keyboards, drums and drum programming with Sampha’s vocals and keyboards. Jerome has described himself as mixed-race, with Kenyan Goan and Scottish heritage.

In March 2016, he announced a “non album” project intended to release new songs outside the usual album-cycle format as an ongoing collection. After announcing further music in June 2022, he released The Rat Road in May 2023, his first album in nine years.