Raf-Saperra is poised to release his most ambitious project yet. Speaking to us from California on the eve of its launch, he reflects on Renaissance, a five-track EP fully produced in collaboration with global Punjabi producer Ikky. Described by Raf as “Chapter IV” in his career, the EP represents a move into new sonic territory, blending his signature storytelling with polished, experimental pop. The project, developed over the course of a year through late-night sessions and transatlantic travel, aims to create something timeless.
Following the success of the single Step Out, which has amassed over 900K streams and millions of views, Renaissance signals more than just artistic growth. It marks a reintroduction, an opportunity for him to shed expectations and present a freer, more expansive sound. With milestones like performing at the Sydney Opera House and collaborating with artists such as Dave East already behind him, this new release could be his most defining chapter yet. “I’m already cooking up the next chapter. Let’s just say Renaissance was the beginning, not the peak,” he adds.
Raf, welcome to METAL. How are you, and where in the world are you speaking to us from today?
Thank you for having me. I’m doing well—a mix of nerves and excitement. I’m currently in California, soaking in the last quiet moments before this EP officially hits the public tomorrow.
Your brand-new five-track collaborative EP, Renaissance, is just days away from release. How are you feeling as the launch approaches?
There’s a strange calm before big moments like this. I’ve never made a body of work like Renaissance before, so while I’m proud, I’m also very aware that I’m stepping into unfamiliar territory sonically, and that’s what makes it thrilling. It’s not just about releasing songs; it’s about presenting a new version of myself.
The EP follows the huge success of your single Step Out, which has already clocked over 900K streams on Spotify and 2.6 million views on YouTube. What’s the story behind that track?
Step Out was me saying, “I’m here, whether you like it or not.” It’s tongue-in-cheek, playful, and almost cartoonish in its energy, but there’s also a deeper confidence underneath. The visuals were inspired by both fashion editorials and modern streetwear culture, and the song became a bridge between the traditional and the now. Ikky presented this as one of the first tracks for the EP, and I immediately understood the direction this project was heading. I’ve never made anything like it, and the audience is quite frankly loving it!
Renaissance is fully produced by global Punjabi hitmaker Ikky and marks a bold dive into pop. How did this collaboration come about, and how long has the project been in the works?
Ikky and I had been circling each other creatively for a while, waiting for the right moment to work together. When we finally locked in, everything clicked. We challenged each other. We wanted to make music that didn’t feel boxed into a region or a scene. This EP has been in the works for about a year. It’s the product of late-night calls, flying between cities, and a shared obsession with creating something timeless.
This feels like a defining crossover moment for you. Are we witnessing a new chapter in the Raf-Saperra journey? How does this EP connect or contrast with your previous work?
Absolutely. This is Chapter IV: Renaissance. My earlier work was rugged, folk-heavy, and more raw by design. This EP still has the DNA of my storytelling, but it’s polished, experimental, and made for a global audience. I’m not abandoning where I came from—I’m elevating it.
Do you still remember what it felt like to break through with Ruff Around the Edges back in 2023?
Clear as day. That project was my rebellion against the industry blueprint. No big Punjabi features, no formulas—just grit and guts. It gave me permission to exist on my own terms, share my terrible sense of humour, and allow people to get to know me as a person. The reception proved that audiences were craving something different. The tape is a cult classic in UK Punjabi music, and even the vinyl resell prices go for over £500. What a debut.
You’ve become one of the most original and uncompromising voices in the British music scene. If you had to choose the top three milestones of your career so far, what would they be and why?
First, performing at the Sydney Opera House. As a British-Punjabi kid from Streatham, that stage felt light-years away growing up. Second, collaborating with legends like Conway the Machine and Dave East. It validated that my music can stand alongside the best, regardless of language or background. And third, launching Renaissance, because it represents artistic risk, and I think that’s the truest measure of growth.
From soundtracking KidSuper’s SS25 show at Paris Fashion Week to selling out shows worldwide, your global reach has grown fast. What does success mean to you right now?
Success to me is impact without compromise. When people across continents hear my music and feel seen, that’s everything. I’m less interested in numbers and more interested in legacy.
Would you say Renaissance is the work you’re most proud of to date?
Yes. It’s the first time I’ve consciously stripped away the safety net of expectation. Every track required a different side of me. I don’t think I’ve ever sounded this free.
What do you hope listeners will feel when they hear this new release for the first time?
Surprised, in the best way. I want them to feel like they’re being introduced to an artist they thought they knew… and now they’re not so sure. That tension is exciting.
What do you enjoy most about these creative collaborations?
The alchemy. I love watching a song evolve from an idea into something neither of us could’ve made alone. Good collaborators don’t just add—they challenge you, they expand you. That’s exactly what collaborating with Ikky was like.
If you could choose any artist in the world to collaborate with next, who would it be and why?
Westside Gunn. Brilliant curator. Understands his brand. Street shit. Fly shit.
Fashion seems to play a key role in your identity as an artist. How do style and visuals feed into your musical world?
They’re inseparable. The way I dress, the sets I build, the typography I use—it’s all part of the same sentence. Style helps me world-build beyond the music. It’s a visual language that travels just as far. Everything is storytelling.
And lastly, what’s your biggest dream right now? Can you give us a hint about what’s next?
The biggest dream? To redefine what global Punjabi music can sound and look like and who it’s for. As for what’s next… I’m already cooking up the next chapter. Let’s just say Renaissance was the beginning, not the peak.
