&friends is the musical brainchild and passion project from New York City-based Sean Thomas. Following a string of strongly successful independent singles by way of his own label Hidden Hands, project founder Sean Thomas and core collaborator Cameroonian vocalist Phina Asa sit down with When We Dip to give a deep dive on their first major dance label release.

In the advent of the original’s 10th anniversary, the latest installment in the &friends catalog is a dynamic afro-house cover of the pivotal Armin Van Buuren track “This Is What It Feels Like”, marking &friends first release on Armada Music.

WWD: Hi Sean! Great to meet you. Tell us about yours and Phina Asa’s cover of ‘This is What It Feels like’, and how it came about?

Where do I begin 😊?

I’ll never forget the first meeting I had with Armada’s GM Jop when we started discussing collaborating on a record. He asked me to look at their catalog and potentially start with a remix. As soon as he said that, my heart knew what I wanted to create. I heard it. I heard Phina’s soulful, powerful voice bringing a new life form into the classic record that changed Armin’s trajectory.

This remake is about triumph, celebration, and honoring the journey to create your dreams. It’s that feeling when you’ve overcome all odds, every challenging obstacle, and when you’re holding your head high in the sky at the top of the mountain rejoicing from the depths of your heart and soul.

WWD: How does it feel to be releasing this special record on Armada Music?

Transparently, it’s pretty surreal, as Armin was one of the reasons I first fell in love with Dance Music. One of the first big big festival shows I attended was in 2009 ASOT; he played for 9 hours on New Year’s Eve in LA. I get goosebumps even writing it, as it was in that moment where my heart turned on and the world turned off. So to have his blessing and remake one of his most significant records, on its 10-year anniversary, which he says was the song that “changed everything for me,” is humbling and a dream come true.

WWD: Who are your influences and what are you listening to at the moment?

Everyone is always a bit shocked when I say this, but my biggest influences are in hip hop. Dre and Diddy are two guys I have admired since I was young. They are trailblazers who have shaped the landscape of hip-hop and beyond. When I first heard their music, I was captivated by their artistry and inspired by their unwavering commitment to excellence. These two extraordinary individuals have shattered glass ceilings and built skyscrapers of success while staying true to themselves and their unique vision. They have shown us that greatness knows no limits and that we can break down every barrier standing in our way with determination and authenticity. Their stories serve as a constant reminder that our dreams are within reach if we dare to believe in ourselves and push the boundaries of what is possible. Dr. Dre and Diddy are living proof that success comes to those who are willing to work tirelessly, defy expectations, and leave an indelible mark on the world through their passion and artistry.

Another massive influence for me and all of us at &friends is the Nigerian Legend. Fela Kuti, the legendary pioneer of Afrobeat music, left an indelible mark on the world through his influential and infectious sound. His music served as a vehicle for social and political commentary, challenging the status quo and sparking conversations about injustice and corruption. Fela’s Afrobeat rhythms blended traditional African sounds with elements of funk, jazz, and soul, creating a genre that resonated globally and inspired countless musicians across generations. His fearless spirit and unwavering dedication to speaking truth to power continue to inspire and ignite movements for change around the world.

On the dance music side of things, who am I listening to? Someone who I love what they’re creating is Atmos Blaq. His Gypsy Woman remix is top, and I can’t stop listening to two of his unreleased records that he sent me this week. Whooof, that dude has got some game, and he’s such a gem of a human with a big heart and a smile of gold. Look out for him 🙂 His come-up is going to be very real; it already is.

WWD: What are the plans for this record in the coming months? Do you have any shows coming up?

So many beautiful things are happening with this release, like the official music video and a stripped-down acapella music video coming out in a few weeks. Phina shines like a bright yellow shooting star, and I’m so excited for her to be put on a massive platform. Not only is she incredibly talented, but she is also the most loving, kind, beautiful inside and out human being.

And yes, the touring is non-stop for the next few months. In the next two weeks, we’ve got some big shows in Mexico City, Miami, Morocco, Spain, Paris, St. Tropez, Egypt, and so many more.
WWD: We’d love to know more about the &friends concept. What does it mean to you, and what should people know?
&friends – Sean Thomas: &friends is a culmination of shared experiences that honor the stories that bind us, using lyrical vulnerabilities and cultural collaboration to empower resiliency, strengthen our compassion and encourage the connectivity found in commonality.

It is a journey fueled by passion, determination and drive

The stories that can be told through the beat of the drum. This concept is at the heart of the musical path of &friends, through a meaningfully curated assortment of African collaborators, the mission of every record we write is to empower and amplify the voices, and tell the story of impassioned creators.

The growing bank of productions slated for release tell the stories of creators and songwriters such as Nigerian born and Cameroon raised Phina Asa and Nigerian born Oluwadamvic, Tolulope Sodunke aka eL Jay, and our youngest brother, Young Dotun.

The &friends project pays homage to authentic culture and creating a truly global world-musical community.

The music of the project will use their voices as a powerful means for self-inquiry and love; moving away from indifference and distraction towards a redefined transmission of music, art, and gathering that supports a quest of purpose and passion.

Chosen family is the finite cornerstone of the &friends project.

WWD: How did the collaboration with Phina Asa come about?

Do you know when things seem to fall into place and the universe aligns in ways that can’t explain? There’s a saying in Arabic that I learned in Morocco that I love, “Maktub,” which means it’s written. That’s how it all feels with Phina and the whole Nigerian crew that is now family.

I first met Oluwamdavic in 2021 on SoundBetter when I sought vocalists to collaborate with. I came across his profile and listened to one of his sample recordings, and wow, I had never heard a tone like that before. We hopped on a Facetime and spoke for two hours, diving deep into all things life and music. We started working together, and it flowed effortlessly, one record after another until we had about four records done, and I asked him if he had any female vocalist friends. Insert Phina. I remember when he sent me a record of hers, my draw dropped to the floor, and I immediately saw the future of what we could all create together.

They’ve given me more meaning and purpose in life, and I couldn’t think of anyone else I’d rather be creating with. We’ve truly built such a special &friends family that will build beautiful things in the world.

WWD: What else do you have coming up the rest of this year? What are you most excited about currently?

Whoooof there’s a lot of beauty on the horizon.

We’ve got the “Ode Ireti” a.k.a. O-le-le Amapiano Edit coming out next month on MoBlack Records, a two-track EP in collaboration with an incredible Zimbabwe producer, Samuel Cosmic, coming on our label, Hidden Hands in July. And we’ve got another few prominent records that we’re finalizing with one of the Major Labels for the fall.

But I’m most looking forward to the beginning of our Live Tour that we are planning to kick off in Lagos, Nigeria in August. It’s going to be quite remarkable finally being able to play all of our music live; with the whole crew singing and performing on stage together, coupled with a skilled trumpet player, a pianist, and a percussionist, we have the opportunity to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the house music industry. The energy that our ensemble will bring to the stage is palpable, and our unique blend of vocal harmonies, brass, and rhythm is sure to leave audiences breathless.

Our musicianship and creativity will come together to create a performance that is not just a concert, but a journey.

Lastly, I’m super excited about a few monster collaborations with Bob Sinclar and two of my brothers, Ahmed Spins and Nitefreak.

So many lovely creations to bring into the world, and we couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds 🙂

&friends: Instagram / SoundCloud