West Coast hip-hop artist ALPHA CENTAURI has released his debut album, The Future Right Now, through Rogue Planet, capping a five-year development period that included six advance singles and a growing slate of live performances across Western Canada.
The 10-track record combines hip-hop with funk, Afrobeat and jazz influences and was recorded live with an eight-piece band. The album follows singles “Never Be,” “Grow,” “Get Your Money Up,” “I’ll Fly,” “Higher Up” and “We Rise.”
From Zimbabwean Law Career to Music
ALPHA CENTAURI’s path into professional music began far from Canada’s live music circuit. Trained and licensed as a lawyer in Zimbabwe, he ultimately left the legal profession to pursue music full time.
His connection to performance began earlier. At 13, he was breakdancing with a crew called Blade Squad at pageants and basketball halftime shows. When concerns were raised about how breakdancing might be perceived alongside a legal career, he redirected his interest in rhythm and movement toward writing and performing rap.
“I took what I understood from dancing, rhythm and movement, and turned it into rap,” he says. “I tapped into my background in English literature and realized, I know how to write poems. I understand rhythm. Maybe I can do this.”
His stage name was inspired by Alpha Centauri, the closest star system to the solar system. The idea emerged after he saw his reflection while looking at the night sky, which became a metaphor for finding confidence and direction within himself.
Album Focuses on Self-Belief and the Present
That theme runs throughout The Future Right Now, which centers on self-belief, motivation and the idea that future goals are shaped by present-day decisions.
“Everything I do today, everything I did all these years, has brought me here, because my future was always in the present,” ALPHA says.
Several tracks also draw directly from different periods of his life.
“We Rise,” which has become a regular part of his live performances, was originally written in 2014 while he was completing his law degree. “Aria’s Lullaby,” the album’s closing track, was written in 2016 as a diary entry for his daughter before she was born, with the original lyrics remaining unchanged.
“Expect Us” draws on ALPHA’s experience practising law in Zimbabwe and his involvement supporting the movement led by activist Evan Mawarire against corruption and injustice.
“Never Be,” meanwhile, emphasizes technical rap writing through wordplay and references to literature and mythology.
Eight-Piece Band Shapes Live Album Sound
Rather than building the record primarily through programmed production, The Future Right Now was recorded live off the floor with ALPHA’s eight-piece band.
Producer Wes Smith helped shape the sessions, while Justin Hicks handled the mix. More than 20 guest musicians also contributed to the album.
Drummer Richard Brown provides the rhythmic foundation, while guitarist Cuyler Biller incorporates elements influenced by Zimbabwean Sungura music. Keyboardists Alli Bean and Max Zipursky are also part of the live group.
The approach reflects ALPHA’s emphasis on live performance and allows the record to move between hip-hop, funk, Afrobeat and jazz without separating those influences into distinct styles.
Western Canadian Performances Expand Audience
ALPHA has built his profile through appearances alongside established hip-hop and Canadian acts, sharing bills with Method Man & Redman, Ja Rule, Chali 2na and Cut Chemist of Jurassic 5, The OBGMs, Moka Only and Tanika Charles.
His festival appearances have included Vancouver’s Khatsahlano Street Party, the Calgary Stampede and Victoria’s official Canada Day celebration.
He was also scheduled to appear at True Rhythm Festival alongside Public Enemy and G-Eazy, though the event was postponed because of regional wildfires.
New Projects and 2027 Album Already Planned
With his debut album now released, ALPHA is also developing two additional music projects.
Star Maps will explore a pop-focused direction, beginning with the forthcoming single “Juliet.” The track was mixed in Los Angeles by Matt Bishop, whose credits include work with U2, The Killers, Modest Mouse and Taylor Swift.
A separate R&B project, The Golden Hour Collective, is also in development. Both projects are expected to precede ALPHA’s planned sophomore album in 2027.
Vinyl and CD editions of The Future Right Now are scheduled to arrive early next year. Cross-Canada touring is also planned, while potential performances in the United Kingdom and Europe are under consideration.
“I want people to hear this and see themselves inside the music,” ALPHA says.
After five years of development, The Future Right Now gives ALPHA CENTAURI his first full-length release while establishing the foundation for an expanding schedule of recordings, touring and new projects through 2027.