AFRODEUTSCHE

AFRODEUTSCHE, born Henrietta Smith-Rolla, is a dynamic force in the music world, seamlessly blending her talents as a composer, DJ, and radio host.  Of Ghanaian, Russian, and German heritage, she weaves rich cultural threads into her work, crafting a unique soundscape that transcends genres.  Her compositions, often infused with elements of techno, house, and classical music, reflect her diverse background and innovative spirit.

As a DJ, AFRODEUTSCHE commands the dance floor with her electrifying sets, renowned for their infectious energy and eclectic mix.  Her work as a radio host on BBC 6 Music further showcases her deep passion for music, where she curates an array of sounds that highlight both emerging and established artists.

AFRODEUTSCHE’S written score, by contrast, sits in a much more organic space – in 2019 she wrote a piano-led minimalist soundtrack to Sasha Rainbow’s BAFTA nominated and Oscar longlisted documentary Kamali.  She has since composed the score for Poppy de Villeneuve’s documentary feature Destiny on the Main Stage, the recent martial arts, action film Art of Eight Limbs, and was commissioned by the UN to compose their ‘Force to Flee’ series alongside Max Richter.  In 2021, AFRODEUTSCHE was commissioned alongside Daniel Avery and Aïsha Devi, by the BBC Concert Orchestra, André de Ridder and the Southbank Centre as part of their concert series ‘Unclassified Live’, which was broadcast on BBC Radio 3.

Praised by the Guardian for enacting a new wave of club music, named by Dummy Mag as one of 2019’s most exciting artists, AFRODEUTSCHE’s spectacular debut album ‘Break Before Make’ was released on the legendary Skam label.

Her influence reaches beyond the music industry into the world of fashion.  AFRODEUTSCHE has worked with iconic brands such as Bottega Veneta, under the creative direction of Matthieu Blazy and photographer Pierre Debusschere.  With CHANEL, she collaborated with sound designer Michel Gaubert and featured on CHANEL MCR compilation vinyl with her track “A New Love”.  These collaborations highlight her multifaceted talent, broad creative vision and distinctive style all of which have been celebrated in major publications, including i-D Magazine, Italian Vogue, and Paris Vogue.