Brooklyn Funk Essentials' Lati Kronlund on Funk, Politics, and New Album 'Black Butterfly'

In an interview with Juliette Labati for Artistikrezo, Lati Kronlund, bassist and co-founder of Brooklyn Funk Essentials, discusses the band's nearly three-decade journey, their new album 'Black Butterfly,' and the political and spiritual dimensions of their music. Formed in the 1990s amid post-Cold War optimism, the group—comprising musicians from around the world—blends funk, soul, house, jazz, be-bop, boogaloo, and hip-hop. Kronlund reflects on the current global chaos and the band's belief in a new world rising from the ashes, a theme central to 'Black Butterfly.' He cites inspiration from nature, cinema, photography, literature, and visual arts, and notes that most song ideas come during walks or bike rides in the countryside. The band's cover of Talking Heads' 'Life During Wartime,' originally recorded in 2007 but shelved due to rights issues, was revived and fused with an afrobeat idea. Kronlund credits the band's longevity to strong songs and continuous evolution, not nostalgia. He lists contemporary favorites like SAULT, Khruangbin, Kokoroko, Little Simz, and Kendrick Lamar, alongside jazz classics. The 2026 tour includes dates in Le Broc, Paris, Grabels, Monaco, and Marciac.