Jerome Hadey is a man who has lived many lives. From cutting his teeth with the Ed Banger Records crew, forming the critically acclaimed group Outlines (Alongside Irfane from Breakbot, and Jay One) to working alongside legendary artists as diverse as Hans Zimmer and George Clinton, to tour managing Wu Tang Clan and remixing artists such as Charlotte Gainsbourg, New Young Poney Club and DJ Mehdi. He has experienced a career that most could only dream of.
However, in 2016 he fell ill with a rare stomach cancer, undergoing drastic surgery and chemotherapy. Despite a six-year musical hiatus, this life altering experience lead him back into the studio. He found himself channelling the fear and frustrations that he was experiencing into an album which was to act as a message to his young children, during a time where the future was very uncertain.
In this period of profound creative awakening, he called on one of his oldest friends and mentor, the RZA. The two penned ‘Tomorrow’ - a deep atmospheric track philosophising on man’s evolution throughout the ages, striving for a better future. The production focuses electronic elements woven into a sonic meditative mantra, used as a healing tool by Jerome through his treatment. Similarly, it also takes a minimalist approach, a concept which Jerome became fascinated with during the recording process, and one which was also applied to his artwork – both which became indispensable as forms of coping with his condition.
Thankfully given the all-clear, Jerome has now taken the helm of his own Villa Lena Recordings imprint, run from the iconic artist retreat, based deep in the Tuscan countryside (run by Hadey and his wife). He dedicates his time now to providing a creative sanctuary for an incredible new guard of musicians from within the Villa’s recording studio, surrounded by trees and sprawling olive groves.
lyrics
“Tomorrow”
Since the dawn of time, Men, Women and Child
collectively known as Men
have strove to have a better tomorrow
From his quest for food, clothing and shelter,
To his quest for fire
And the quest to know his origin on this planet,
From where he came
Men have strove to conquer the sea through his boats
And the air through his flight
Through science and technology
He has discovered the double helix of his physical being
And through psychology
He realised the infinite potential of his mental
Technology has opened up men’s power of communication, information
And maybe even more important
And maybe even more detrimental,
His socialisation
As we strive to have technology one day
Increase our health and improve our medications
Yet although we have endured a great past
And we are enjoying a great present
We still strive for a better tomorrow
A tomorrow where men’s basic need of Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding
Is acquired by all
Where the basic right of Justice, Freedom and Equality
Is protected and respected by all
A better Tomorrow
Where food, clothing and shelter
Is enriched and enjoyed by all
A better Tomorrow
Where men’s ultimate goal of Love, Peace and Happiness
Is common attainment for every Men, Women and Child
Wether you are on the shores of North America,
The mountains of the Himalayas
The top of Tibet
To the cold streets of Moscow
To the vineyards of France
Wether you are on the Ganges river
The Yangtze
To the southern eastern tip of Asia
To the hot Congos of Africa
We all strive for a better tomorrow
Whatever Greatness you achieve one day
Strive to achieve Greatness tomorrow
If you are one of the hungry, sick, war trident man
who’s been stepped upon
Or the unappreciated worker,
the forgotten minor,
the homeless nomad,
You need a better tomorrow
You are in search for a better tomorrow
My name is the RZA from the almighty Wu Tang Clan
And through our Music and our Art
We are trying to inspire a better tomorrow
May our world become better.
credits
from Tomorrow,
track released November 16, 2018
Written by Jerome Hadey and Robert Diggs
Produced by Jerome Hadey
Mixed and Mastered by NkF Trackbastardz
