Napolian

Napolian, the producer and beatmaker born Ian Evans, absorbed a wide array of sounds while growing up in southern Los Angeles during his formative years. Before reaching adulthood, he had already begun crafting beats and contributing to significant projects, a trajectory that led to his 2012 debut release, the Rejoice EP, issued on Software, the label founded by Daniel Lopatin of Oneohtrix Point Never. That initial outing under the Napolian name showcased a refined, funk-tinged approach to the instrumental hip-hop terrain shaped by J Dilla’s legacy. Recognition from various admirers followed, opening doors in subsequent years to production, mixing, and compositional work with A$AP Ferg and Kelela, as well as a partnership with Joel Ford, who records as Airbird. By 2014 Evans had finished his first Napolian album, Incursio, an entirely sample-free set of instrumental beats and intricately arranged electro-oriented hip-hop pieces. The next year he and Ford issued their joint full-length Mr. Foolish through Cascine, with tracks spanning hazy evocations of ’80s synth-funk and exuberant, jagged house cuts.