HYDRA and the launch of Suru Records

With the debut release of ‘Bamidele’, London-based producer HYDRA introduces Suru Records—a label rooted in emotional expression, cultural heritage and the evolution of Afro House. We caught up with HYDRA to talk about the vision behind the imprint, the meaning of ‘Suru’, and the journey so far.

Suru Records feels like a significant step. What motivated you to start your own imprint now?The main motivation was creative freedom. I wanted space to explore and experiment with my sound on my own terms.

How did the name ‘Suru’ come about, and what does it represent for you personally?
‘Suru’ means patience in Yoruba. I grew up in Surulere, Lagos—its name translates to ‘patience has its reward’. It’s a personal reminder to trust the process and stay grounded.

‘Bamidele’ is a striking debut—how did the concept for the track originate?
I wanted to make something dynamic and deeply emotional. ‘Bamidele’ is heavy on synths and reflects a lot of what I was feeling at the time.

Can you talk us through the meaning behind ‘Follow me home’ and how that ties into your heritage?
‘Bamidele’ means ‘follow me home’, but not literally. In Yoruba, it’s more of a prayer—a reminder of returning to your roots, your family, or whatever gives you peace.

There’s real emotional weight to your productions—what stories are you trying to tell through your music?
My music reflects how I feel in the moment. I’ve never been great at expressing emotions with words, so I channel them through sound instead.

Afro House is constantly evolving—what space do you see Suru Records occupying in the scene?
I want Suru Records to grow with the scene, but also stay rooted in its foundations. There’s so much potential to release iconic, meaningful music.

You’ve mentioned artists like Black Coffee and Keinemusik—how have they influenced your approach to production?
Massively. Especially Black Coffee—he showed how traditional sounds can blend seamlessly with modern electronic music to create something timeless.

OVAVA Music signed two of your early tracks—how did that connection with Ollie Mundy come about?
Shout out to Ollie. OVAVA are always looking out for new talent. He heard a couple of my early tracks, reached out straight away, and said, ‘I want these songs.’

What was your reaction when OVAVA wanted to sign your music?
Honestly, I couldn’t believe it at first. It was surreal. It felt amazing that someone saw potential in what I was creating.

What role do you think labels like OVAVA play in pushing Afro House globally?
They’re essential. As the scene evolves, platforms like OVAVA help discover and elevate new talent, giving them a stage to go global.

Your sound blends African rhythms with electronic textures—was that fusion always intentional?
Absolutely. That blend is at the core of every track I produce. It’s always been intentional.

How do you see Afro House developing over the next few years, and what do you want to contribute to that future?
Afro House is already shifting from underground to global. My goal is to contribute timeless music that helps solidify its place on the world stage.

With Suru Records, are you looking to sign and develop other artists, or is it more of a personal platform for now?
Right now, it’s a personal platform—but that could change down the line.

‘Bamidele’ already seems to be gaining traction—what kind of response have you had from DJs and fans so far?
The response has been amazing. DJs like Nitefreak and Themba have been supporting it, and my fans, friends and family have all shown love. It’s definitely a banger.

How do you approach creating music that works in both intimate venues and large festival settings?
It’s about knowing what works where. Being a DJ helps me read the crowd and understand what sounds land best in different spaces, and that feeds into my production.

You’ve got a growing event schedule—any dates or locations you’re especially excited about this summer?
I’m looking forward to all of them, but Afro Rave Hong Kong is definitely one I’m excited about.

What’s been the most unexpected or surreal moment since starting your journey in music?
Definitely when OVAVA signed my tracks. That was a turning point.

Any collaborations on the horizon we should keep an eye out for?
Yes, a couple are in the works—stay tuned. You won’t want to miss them.

When listeners press play on ‘Bamidele’, what do you hope they feel or take away from it?
I hope they find a piece of themselves in it.

What’s next for HYDRA and Suru Records after this debut release?
More music. The journey is only just beginning.

Follow HYDRA on SoundCloud and Instagram‍

‍Buy or listen to ‘Bamidele’ here