Zimbabwean-Shannon rapper God Knows is releasing the vinyl edition of his debut album, A Future of the Past, on Saturday, 18 April through Steamboat Records on World Record Store Day. He will perform an instore gig at 1pm on the day.
The record is pressed on the narolane imprint and will be available in five coloured variants — orange, evergreen, regal purple, stellar yellow and red — marking the Shannon-born artist’s first full album to receive a vinyl release, though he has previously had tracks and an EP pressed on the format.
God Knows, a founding member of the Choice Music Prize-winning collective Rusangano Family, describes the album as containing “albums within this album”, blending a wide range of styles across a project shaped by influences from Zimbabwe, New York, Dublin, Shannon and West Africa. The work, though born from pain, was ultimately made, he has said, in freedom and love — with the guiding spirit of collaboration, experimentation and growth running throughout.
Central to the record is his longstanding creative partnership with MuRli (aka Mawuli Boevi) who serves as both main producer and executive producer. “I have the benefit and the luck and the blessing of having MuRli as the main producer,” God Knows told Limerick Post. “He’s someone I’ve collaborated with, worked with, and just genuinely, that’s my mate.”
MuRli, reflecting on his role, described the project as giving God Knows “a canvas wide enough to paint the truth as only he can”, adding that his own task was to build a world around the artist’s story — framing it so that his voice could echo fully.
The vinyl release came about in part at the suggestion of God Knows’ friend and collaborator King Palace — Patrick O’Brien — who felt there was an audience hungry for the LP in physical form. God Knows admitted he was initially uncertain. “It’s kind of hard times right now,” he said, “but I always want to give people something when they come to the shows. And what better way to give people a gift than the record itself?”
The album was mastered by Richard Dowling of Wav Mastering, whom God Knows credits warmly as “a man of 1000 ideas and I’m just trying to keep up with the first two.”
A Future of the Past is available to purchase at Steamboat Records on 18 April. God Knows can also be streamed and supported at godknows.bandcamp.com.
Record Store Day
Steamboat Records will open from 9am to 7pm on Saturday, 18 April, for World Record Store Day, with over 200 vinyl releases, rare Irish pressings from CMAT, Mary Wallopers and Amble, and international titles from Sleep Token, Charli XCX and Olivia Dean among others. Music collective PressPlayRepeat will curate a full day of vinyl DJs and live performances spanning Downtempo, Soul, Disco, House, Hip-Hop, Rock and Indie, ensuring the celebrations continue throughout the day.
Live performances come from God Knows at 1pm, First Class Rebel at 2:30pm and Irish Wonders at 5:30pm.
Downbeat Records in Wickham Way are having an all day used vinyl record store day sale for DJs and collectors. The shop recently picked up a couple of hundred pieces from the Rush Hour store in Amsterdam (jungle, dubstep, house, disco, reggae) which will be on the floor for the first time this Saturday; most of these will be included in the DJs sale.
They have also curated a couple of shelves of great quality albums that will be individually marked up to 50% off.
Steamboat Records extra –
Over 200 new releases will be available on the day, many appearing on vinyl for the very first time. Irish highlights include the exceptionally rare debut EP from CMAT — originally released independently in 2021 — Amble’s 2025 EP making its first appearance on vinyl, and the Mary Wallopers’ debut EP on vinyl for the first time ever. International releases from the likes of Sleep Token, Charli XCX, TV Girl, Ethel Cain, Olivia Dean and Tate McRae will also be available in store.
Music collective PressPlayRepeat will curate a full day of vinyl DJs and live performances spanning Downtempo, Soul, Disco, House, Hip-Hop, Rock and Indie, ensuring the celebrations continue throughout the day.
Three live acts have been confirmed for the event. Shannon native God Knows takes to the floor at 1pm to mark the release of his debut LP, A Future Of The Past, a record that weaves African rhythms and Zimbabwean influences through an Irish lens. A limited number of copies of the album will be available on the day.
At 2:30pm, one-man project First Class Rebel — the creative force of Irish musician Ian Burke — will perform. Having already drawn national airplay and strong press attention across his singles Shadows Fade, Alive and the newly released Control, Burke arrives at Steamboat with considerable momentum behind him.
Closing out the live performances at 5:30pm are Irish Wonders, a Dublin-based electronic trio comprising Leonardo Biagini, Brian Doyle and Alina Troianenko, who draw on influences from across Europe.
Cape & Clover will provide complimentary hot drinks for the first 50 customers through the door, while music collective onemorechoon will run free beginner classes in vinyl use and DJing throughout the day. Those wishing to book a slot are advised to email [email protected].