Rising London-based artist Stephan Folkes unveils his debut album, Hazard, across all major streaming platforms. A boundary-pushing fusion of dream pop, indie rock, soul, funk, R&B, and experimental sounds, Hazard is both a personal manifesto and an emotional journey, inviting listeners to confront their demons, honour their growth, and protect their peace.
He says: “At its core, Hazard is a bold statement about self-investment and inner strength. It’s a journey through adversity, awareness, and personal empowerment—reminding listeners to recognise danger, face it head-on, and emerge stronger.”
Rooted in Stephan’s lived experiences—navigating special needs, betrayal, and near-death encounters—the album transforms pain into power, blending genre-defiance with sharp emotional clarity.
Stephan Folkes is an independent singer, songwriter, sound engineer, and producer from Leytonstone, London, whose genre-defying sound draws from Prince, Stevie Wonder, George Michael, and Billie Eilish. Living with special needs and having faced near-death experiences as a child after nearly drowning as a pre-teen, Stephan transforms adversity into musical empowerment.
Known as The Visionist and King of Fantasy, he refuses to conform to trends, instead crafting deeply personal, emotionally raw music that blends genres and breaks norms. His journey—from school performances to vocal mentoring by a former UB40 singer and piano training by Claude Alexander—has shaped a unique artist unafraid to be vulnerable.
Stephan has worked with respected collaborators like Nick Michaels (Bethnal) and Phil Curran, earning grassroots acclaim and playlist placements. Related to UK artist Deyaz and viral figure Mizzy through family ties, Stephan’s music remains his truest expression, and his independence speaks volumes.
Listen here:
